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Summary: A superb true story of courage and heroics
Review: Outstanding! I couldnt put it down and have tried to get everyone I know to read it. This is a book about soldiers, ordinary Americans, who to me this country does not give their just due. This book is an intense account of the human struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds. This a book about REAL American heros (instead of the celebrity heroes that are created on TV and the media, ie. who describe Micheal Jordan as a courageous hero because he played a basketball game when he had the flu!)The story of the American soldiers in this book will make you proud to be an American. The US politician actions during this time will make you ashamed to be an American. Pride, anger and maybe even vengeance is what you will feel after reading this book. I only wish it could have ended with the Americans pulling out of Mogadishu and then 48 hours of nonstop B-52 bombing strikes on the entire city. For me, the book shows that this society didnt deserved to be saved.
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Summary: A very disturbing book
Review: Every year the United States spends hundreds of billions of dollars on defense, money that is spent to ensure that books like "Black Hawk Down" never have to be written. This book tells about the Battle of Mogadishu, a battle that degenerated into a fight for survival for a small group of American soldiers sent on a fools errand. All the advantages our military typically enjoys-- overwhelming firepower, technological supremacy, superior training and leadership-- were made moot by thousands of Somalis carrying easily obtained automatic weapons and RPG's. The descriptions of the battle are terrifying and almost beyond comprehension. In one scene, an American soldier sees a man shooting a rifle at him through the legs of a woman sitting in front of him. Small children sat on the shooter's back, giving him added protection. At first the Americans only fire at Somalis carrying guns, but as the situation deteriorates and casualties mount, anything that moves is fair game. It is difficult hearing American soldiers admit that they killed women and children, and Bowden does an excellent job showing how, under the circumstances, this was the only "sane" course of action. Surrounded, under constant fire, and faced with an enemy using unarmed civilians as guides, scouts, and shields, the only chance the American soldiers had was to shoot at everyone and everything. Confusion reigned and the most powerful military force in the world was unable to help their comrades in need. If I recall correctly 18 U.S. soldiers were killed and 73 wounded. An estimated 500 Somalis were killed and perhaps twice that many wounded. These appalling losses came as the result of an operation that was pointless from the start and poorly thought out and executed. This book shows that, for all our firepower and advanced technology, a small group of irregular fighters can inflict unacceptable casualties on American forces. Automatic rifles are easier to buy than Levis and U.S. soldiers are not immune from bullets. The battle of Mogadishu no doubt affected the decision not to use ground forces in Kosovo, and will probably be a deterrent from using ground forces in the years to come. The question as the 21st century dawns is, can the American public accept casualties in ground combat? Will there be any lessons learned from the terrible fighting in Somalia, and will that lesson be "keep the soldiers out of the firing line"? I hope that the U.S. military learns more from the suffering of the soldiers in "Black Hawk Down" than future despots and warlords looking to skirmish with the U.S. Army.
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Summary: From a father of a US Soldier
Review: It has been many years since I picked up a book, began reading it and did not want to let it out of my hands or my sight. Mark Bowden takes you to the streets of Somalia and into the hearts and minds of our elite soldiers, the Rangers and Delta Force members, as well as into the confusion felt by those living in a cultural civil war. Bowden extensively deals with the military operation and touches on the political misgivings that often place our young hero's in harms way. My only regret about the book was that I finished it. I could have continued to read this book until the day I die.
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Summary: Greatest and Best Detailed Action/War Story Yet!
Review: Blawk Hawk Down, perhaps the greatest and most detailed war book that I have ever read. Blawk Hawk Down is a true story about 1st SFOD-D(Delta Force) and US Army Rangers battle against the Somalians. What started out to be a quick mission to capture high ranking warlords ended up to be their worst nightmare. 1st SFOD-D and the Rangers thinking that the mission will be very brief take the lightest load of gear possible, leaving their kevlar vests, extra ammunition, and water. They find themselves not only against warlords but also against a soldiers most dreaded force, Somalian civilians; children and women used as shields. While the warlords shoot over the heads of the children and women. Little boys with assult weapons and women with carrying infants. This isn't all, the soldiers are now not only battling the Somalians, but they find themselves battling their inner morale. To shoot or not to shoot... Pinned down for hours without supplies and bad communication links, the worst is just ahead. While flying supplies and backup to the hot spot, a UH60 Black Hawk gets shot out of the air, nosediving into the earth causing death and a greater lack of supplies. 1st SFOD-D and the Rangers are pinned down throuhout the night. With casualties increasing by the minute... I won't give the rest away. A must read for anyone enjoying military or action related stories! -I recommend this book to a mature audience. Although the author mutes out bad language, it does give hints. -Great realism! The author shows points of view of not only the ground troops but multiple troops. "Lead The Way, All The Way!"
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Summary: An Army Helicopter Crew-Chief -UH60's
Review: I can not say enough about this book, and how it affected me. I have been a helicopter crew-chief for 8 years training for missions like this one in the book. Reading this book, brought tears to my eyes, and also opened them. It is a detailed report of what really happened in a small city in africa. How men thought, felt, and acted under conditions I wish no soldier to be in. If you want to know what war is like, and how it feels, READ this book. My hat is off to the soldiers who died, and lived this nightmare. JOB WELL DONE! "NSDQ!"
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Summary: An incredible piece of journalism
Review: As an ex-military, paid researcher, I find what Mr.Bowden has achieved staggering. To come in as an outsider and get this kind of insight into Special Ops Units. To put the scattered pieces of the puzzle together and come out with this kind of quality. To be able to deliver on this level in spite of the classified information restrictions. This is a winner.
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Summary: Book is about Rangers & Delta Forces plight
Review: Contrary to pro - 10th Mountain reviews, I see the book as excellant and factual account of what happened. It is about real american men, who believed in a cause, and fought with courage and fortitude. The book is NOT about the 10th Mountain storming through the city, with a convoy three miles long, saving the Rangers. The roots of the book surrounds a highly trained light infantry unit being ambushed over the course of the night. Kudo's to the 10th, but the real story is what happened to the Rangers & Delta.
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Summary: Vivid account of small-unit action
Review: This is the best, most gripping account of small-unit action I have read in a very long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. Particulary liked the tactical descriptions of the battles. Moved a little slowly at points, but this is a minor quibble.
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Summary: A current military primer
Review: For those armchair quarterbacks who think they know the military way (attention White House), please read this book. The deadly debacle in Somalia is given a human face in this chronicle. It is bloody, bold and sad. And it really happened. You will see how competing military interests can cripple an operation. You will realize that technology can only enhance a battle but not replace the men and basic equipment needed to win that battle. And you will see courage by the pageful. This should be mandatory reading for all military officers and noncoms. It is a lessons learned book and may help prevent some of these mistakes from happening again. As for the politicians who like to play soldier with other people's lives, please read this book before you commit the military where they do not belong and can not do their jobs without restrictions.
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