Rating: 
Summary: Honest, interesting and somewhat confusing
Review: This is the interesting description of what occurred in Mogadishu when the Army's command fatally misjudged a situation and as a result caused the death of numerous Somali citizens, many of whom had nothing to do with the conflict, and a number of its own soldiers, and lost lots of expensive equipment. It also effectively thus terminated its own mission in Somalia. The book provides an honest and apparently very accurate view of what really happened there, and often in sufficiently gruesome detail to prevent anyone from romanticizing the incident. The problem is that so many people were involved in the event, and that the different players pop up again and again in different sections of the book, that it becomes almost a Dostoyevskian problem to keep track of them. Of course, that is something that would have been difficult to avoid in any accurate and detailed narrative with so many players.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a book you should consider buying.
Review: This is a great book. I was in the battle recalled in this book, in the infamous "Delta Force". I know the brutality first hand. But what I especially like about this book is that Mark Bowden interviews people on both sides, so you could hear the Somali's side. Reading this book brought back bad memories of that horible conflict that was not known to most people. You should defenitly buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: What it must really be like
Review: This is an incredible story and I can't add much to the reviews preceding. I've never been in combat, and this book confirms that I don't want to be. As others have noted, this is not the 3,000 meter tank shot, but being lost in a city of converging hostile people who seem willing to die by the hundreds for the small chance of killing a US soldier. Two aspects of the story stuck with me. First, how the peacekeeping force slowly became a 'law enforcement' force. This shift seemed to result in the loss of what little support the US forces had to begin with, and lead directly to the later disaster. (If the description is accurate, the US TOW missle surprise attack which killed scores of the Somali Clan leadership in an ambush was cold-blooded murder by any measure.) Reap as ye sow? Also, the general level of firepower and the seeming indescriminate use of it is gut-wrenching. I've never read so many accounts of women and chilren being killed by our forces. Yes, I know, no once could tell who was friend and who was foe. Just the same, I don't believe the average American would classify this as the the ideal image we have of the US soldier. These points just make the book that much more interesting and valuable. Bowden himself deserves and A+ for his work. Truly a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Journalistic View
Review: This book provides an in-depth look at the conflict that raged within the ragged walls of Mogadishu in 1993. From the time the siege began, through the horrors of the battle, to the concluding pages, this book gives the reader many actual accounts of the action. In addition to the book, be sure to check out the webpage! http://www.philly.com/packages/somalia/nov16/default16.asp It is a great compliment to the reporting in te book, and lets you view some actual footage from the conflict, hear accounts from individuals in the action, see the pictures from Mogadishu, and see maps that illustrate the battle as it unfolded. Awesome book and nice website to go with it!
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read!!
Review: I never knew we were in such heavy action in Somalia. I've read this book three times and each time I'm amazed at how the US forces were involved in this 48 hours of hell. I'm equally shocked at the reality of life in Somalia, what most people thought we were doing there and the reality of what was happening.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any military or special forces fans
Review: This book will be one of your best reads. Its just the book for any military personnal or fans to read. It looks at lessons that were learned after this mighty battle which lasted 18 hours. The book is a true in every fact , from the US militarys most elite fighting force the US Army 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-DELTA or Delta Force taking down the house of the enemy there going into capture to the Army Rangers fighting on the streets trying to get back in one peace .Mark Bowden tells this peace of military history in such a way you'll be on the edge of your seat from cover to cover. ITS A MUST GET
Rating:
Summary: The Right Stuff for modern warfare accounting
Review: I can't say enough about this book. To anyone looking for another book of this caliber seek out: We Were Soldiers Once and Young. Same type of true accounting and no holds barred honesty. Both books should be read by any young adult considering a stint in the Armed Forces. Then give them to to your parents. I hope Hollywood doesn't screw up the movie. NSNQ. (Night Stalkers Never Quit)
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. Once you start reading it,you can't put it down. It is a real shame what happened in Mogadishu and the lack of concern and knowledge the American people have about it. This book will keep us from "foretting" about the incident!
Rating:
Summary: Gritty, realistic depiction of the horrors of combat
Review: I had a great opportunity to attend a lecture series at the Pentagon and hear author Mark Bowden discuss the challenges he underwent in writing this book. Through extensive research, thousands of interviews, including a trip to Somalia to talk with some of the Somali clan warriors who actually fought against the Americans, Bowden wove all of this into a great reading work. Here is a man who has absolutely no military experience, but masterfully captured the harrowing experiences of the brave Rangers and Delta Force team members in a desperate situation in Somalia. This book was gripping! You will feel the despair, anguish and will to survive. I highly recommend this book to any with an interest in this genre. It is absolutely historically accurate, and reads like a great work of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book!
Review: This won my personal "Best Non-Fiction Award". It reminds you that war is brutal and unbelievably unpredictable. It makes you appreciate the dangerous reality associated with ANY military operation. You just don't know what will happen, even in seemingly "safe" operations. I will never look at a war movie or read a war novel in the same way after reading this account. It is well written and reads like fiction. You have to keep reminding yourself that the terror is real.
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