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Summary: Gripping tale of modern warfare
Review: Being a military variable wing aircraft enthusiast, I have read a number of books written by Vietnam veteran helicopter pilots and was amazed at their acts of heroism performed for their comrades on the ground. One of the elements of this story, which, by the way, makes a rather chaotic 24 hours very comprehendible for the reader, is about the equally heroic deeds performed by men on the ground for their downed pilots. One can't help but feel pride for the men and women of the armed forces, who put their lives on the line for the United States and everyone within its borders. An aside to that is that one of the funniest things I have ever read was the part in this book about the soldier's matter-of-fact approach to...um...self-gratification. It's a short paragraph...but absolutely hilarious.
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Summary: Former 1/75th Ranger
Review: This is THE definitive modern infantry warefare book. I spent some time as a Ranger in the 1/75th and a year in the Persian Gulf with 24th Infantry Division during Desert Storm. I can tell you that this is the best book I've found on Delta or the Ranger Battalion. This should be required reading for anyone about to volunteer for service in the Rangers or any other Special Ops unit. It amazes me that the author has no military background. I would hope that our countries future leaders would put this on their short list of required reading.
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Summary: Close up of the battle, but lacks context and somali view
Review: Bowden does an excellent job recounting the battle here. The detail is excellent and gives the reader a very good picture of how the Battle of Mogadishu played out. What is missing is the larger context of the overall Somalia crisis. For example, there is no analysis of what role the Somali warlord Aidid played in coordinating the battle, nor of the broader American mission there. Bowden makes a few attempts to give the Somali perspective, but they are disjointed at best. All that said, Bowden admits his goal was not to write a comprehensive history of the situation. He does an excellent job of what he set out to do-- recount the battle. But as a reader, I found myself wishing for more information about the larger context. In short, he does a great job answering who, what, when, and where, but leaves alot of unanswered whys.
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Summary: A great read
Review: This is one of the best battle books I have ever read. The level of detail and the writing style is extraordinary. I had great difficulty putting the book down-I recommend this book to anyone interested in military history.
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Summary: A completely different perspective
Review: I enjoy reading military thrillers but I guess I was totally unprepared for the reality of this book. In fictional war accounts, the US never does anything wrong and the dramatic action of a super soldier averts disaster. This book reminds us that war is not fiction. The fear and pain of the real life soldiers is felt throughout the story. Many military novels talk about the fact that few plans survive combat. However, this is one of the few books that demonstrates clearly how true this statement is. The Army "knew" that their Black Hawks could not be shot down. Only as an afterthought did they assign a rescue team. Who would have expected two Hawks would be shot down? And for once, solidiers admit their fear. They acknowledge that they don't "want" to go back into the battle. But they do so because it is their duty. Anyone who believes in the glory of battle must read this book. As many of the participants in this raid admitted, combat is far more real than they expected.
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Summary: Great book by a really nice guy
Review: I'm reading this book right now and I love it, and its not the typical book for me to read either. I got an autographed copy of the book from my school's bookstore (makes sense since I do go to a military school). I was invited to the Military Writer's Symposium that my school does every year and I meet Mark Bowden. He has encouraged me to write and do what I love to do. He's a super nice guy and his book is great. Hope that you read it an enjoy it.
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Summary: Black Hawk Down
Review: As an ex-member of the 10th SF and having served during the same time as this operation, I found it unbelievable that all this took place without any real acknowledgement to the degree of the fighting and the losses that occurred. I was in Brindisi, Italy at the same time in support of Operation Provide Promise/Deny flight(Bosnia) with the seals and the pj's. The true devastation of Task Force Ranger was never even known to us who were so closely related to those involved. This is the best book I have ever read. Non-stop from cover to cover.
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Summary: Black Hawk Down
Review: Black Hawk Down is not a great literary accomplishment, but it never professes to be one. Rather it is an often too real account of a horrid war which destroyed the lives of good people who tried to do their jobs. I was struck, having been friends with one of the brave men who lost their lives, by the intensity of the account and the insight Mr. Bowden had into the personalities of these fine people. I cried hysterically throughout my reading of this because it was not fiction, and Tom Clancy and the like could never replicate it. This was and is real; it reads like a narrative of true stories and impressions because that is what it is. Here, in this book, one relives the moments of confusion, frustration, fear, and bravery. Everything is raw and riveting. The very fact that Mr. Bowden was given access into the closed ranks of the Rangers and Special Forces attests to the trust those soldiers have in him. I thank him for allowing me into the final moments of a dear friend, James Smith. I will miss him, but his memory lives on in our hearts and in this Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down.
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Summary: A study in MOOTW?
Review: Recommended book for every military professional. Goes beyond the politics and strategic-operational disconnect and examines the human nature of combat. However, Bowden has created an objective portrayal of a battle that speaks well beyond the tactical context and events. It shows (my opinion) the evolution of the military from post cold war and desert storm into the more difficult environment of asymmetrical warfare. Highlights our shortcomings in regards to really understanding culture and environment and how important a cultural preparation of the battlefield can be during mission analysis. In Bowden's writings there are many "take-aways" that remain relevant today as we continue to flounder in a "UN-Nation Building environment." I have never before felt such a range of emotions reading a book, with pride being the overwhelming feeling by far. The events of Somalia have shaped how the US makes strategic decisions today and can clearly be seen in events as recent as Kosovo. Bravo Zulu to Mark Bowden in his work that I believe will be classified as a classic of Modern Warfare.
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Summary: Miles away from Tom Clancy!
Review: An excellent account of the incident in Mogadishu, of an operation gone wrong. Unlike Tom Clancy's thrillers, where everything American works smoothly and efficiently, this was real-life: poor command, poor planning, poor communication, poor teamwork. Seems that all the criticisms that Richard Marcinko writes about in his books about the US Military were vaild here, despite obvious bravery from the poor soldiers on the ground. Although very heavily written from the US side, the author tries to include the Somalian view, though it is submerged under excessive analysis of their loss. A book worth reading to learn about the reality of a firefight.
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