Rating: 
Summary: Didn't Catch Me
Review: I was really eager to read this book after seeing the movie - not the way I like to do things, I normally like to read the book before the movie, but it didn't work out that way this time.Some of the characters in the book were really well picked out. You had a good sketch of many of the character's backgrounds, their families, their history in the military - basically just how they came to be where they were. This was effective in small amounts - I found that it turned to just listing the heritage of the people there because they felt the author had to. Unfortunately, I found the book so bogged down in detail that after the first 10 chapters I put it down. It was incredibly narrative, which is a style that I am not so fond of - it was narrative in a plain way - it seemed to "tell" a lot of the story instead of "showing" it. It goes into immense detail of the layout of the streets and buildings, which I found tedious instead of interesting. There was one other aspect of the book that hit me into the first few pages. This feeling may dissappear towards the end of the book, but it was very "Americanised" - that they were meant to be there, that America was doing the right thing. On the other hand, it also states that most of the soldiers did not know why they were there - that to me was incredibly significant. This book is probably very accurate in its description of the event, the people, and the place. It is valuable to have these types of books so that those who are interested can look back and see what really happenned. This book may appeal to a more military-minded reader - I must say I am not a big reader of military novels myself. If you are not that kind of reader either, I would recommend not picking up this book unless you are ready to plow through incredible amounts of detail to find the interesting information.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply Humbling
Review: Simply the best book I have read regarding military battle. Mark Bowden has doen an incredible job of giving the reader a 360 degree view of the battles in Mogadishu, from the soldiers on the ground, to the Somalis they were fighting, to the "eyes in the sky" above. His story telling brings the reader into the battles and shows the true nature of urban combat as well as the resolve, training and professionalism those on the ground had against overwhelming forces. A strong point to the book are the human faces these battles have. The physical and emotional pain suffered during the battle by its participants. It is not a pretty picture, but it shows the dedication they had to the "man next to them". The story of the 2 Delta Force troopers, who knew of the odds against them, refusing to leave a stranded pilot behind jumping out of a helicopter into enemy fire is only one example. There are many such stories in this book, as there may be in every battle of every war. The difference here is the writing and reporting by the author. For the government (i.e. - Clinton) not wanting to make too much of a presence with the use of armored troop vehicles that could have been used in our soldiers rescue, this sure did not end quietly...
Rating: 
Summary: Quality is Defined by Expectations
Review: When I think of modern war novels, I think of life or death struggles that present the grim spectacle that armed conflict has become. The story should flow well to keep it gripping-if necessary, at the expense of reality, best demonstrated in Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. When I think of nonfiction, I think of something informative but ultimately sterile. Names, dates, places, and ages must all be documented and included for a sense of thoroughness. A good flow is important, but Fact is King These standards are the chief cause for disappointment when reading Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down. Although it's jacket and subject matter appear to be the stuff of a novel, Bowden has opted to work in the nonfiction medium and build thrills from within that framework. This leads to a book that, although clearly well researched and thought out, lacks the punch of fiction. At times, facts seem thrown in; a soldier may think back onto what his family might be doing, and for the sake of completeness we learn where he lives and his sibling's ages. Sure, it's good to know, but it just doesn't flow as well as it would otherwise. Essentially, however, Black Hawk Down has no real flaws that are not caused by it's own genre. Anyone that likes non-fiction thrills should enjoy it, despite a somewhat sterile view. However, those that are looking for more style and less substance are best advised to seek other works.
Rating: 
Summary: Black Hawk Down
Review: Black Hawk Down is a true story of modern war. The dramatic account of a U.S. Special Forces' mission takes place in the year 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia. The United States occupied Somalia for humanitarian reasons, dropping food and supplies. The original mission of the Special Forces was to helicopter in and capture enemy warlords. This is not one of the United States finer moments. It is a horrifiying detailed account of a mission gone wrong. The author, Mark Bowden, tells the story of how young eager soldiers full of enthusiasm, are shot down by the enemy. Our brave men are trapped and very unprepared. The author gives very graphic details of the battles and attempts to rescue the helpless soldiers. He makes you feel as though you are there, watching the enemy come from all directions; the fear and desperation of our service men, as our casualties mount. You feel the frustration of the commanding officers as they attempt rescue missions. The message is clearly, no one is left behind. At the end of this true story, the United States lost 18 of our men. Many more were wounded and left emotionally scarred. This was a horrific misjudgement by the U.S. government, but it is a story that must be told. It does not glorify our Special Forces as super-humans, but men sent to do a job, with the reality that they mey never come back. I thought this was an excellent book that everyone should read especially at this time in our country. It is a realistic look at war and not the glorified conquests we see so often on television and movies. After reading this book, I imagine I felt like the people who watched helplessly,as the number of dead mounted, during the Vietnam War.
Rating:
Summary: Tremendous Read
Review: This book is a very well written account of what happen in Somalia in 1993 as told to the Author by Soldiers that were there & some of their surviving families. Most books hit a spot where they can at times be very boring, but, anyone with a keen interest in the military, specifically the Special forces (Delta), will find this book one of the best ever written on the subject. Having read other books on Special Forces by the likes of Clancy, Beckwith, etc. there will be no comparison with Black Hawk. Interestingly enough, the Author also was able to persuade some of the Delta Force's own to speak off the record as to what happen which is more than any other current writer has been able to do.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!! Mr. Bowden has outdone us!
Review: Mr. Bowden has written a masterpiece. His words are like a paint brush stroking through my mind. This great story has a gritty and yet satisfying edge to it. It gives us a true sense of how ground combat is. From his story that tells us of the crisis in Mogadishu, Somalia on October 13,1993, he takes us to a base that holds Tom Sizemore, Specialist Stebbins, Colonal McNight, and the rest of the crew. You can almost feel the wind in your hair as the Black Hawk flies to that barren cruel city. You can feel the heat of the RPGs whizzing by your head. I was surprised
at well this was written. As a popular book used in the classroom
every one I know in my High School has loved this book. Thanks Mr. Bowden for a great read!
Rating:
Summary: A real story of Modern War
Review: The subtitle of the book, "A Story Of Modern War" is what really caught my attention when I decided to purchase this book. I read Mark Bowden's excellent book shortly before the movie and then again after the movie. Mr. Bowden displayed an unbiased view that I find really hard to get when your reading war novels. I think that a modern war involves all the sides and this book is great. I think that you can read this more than once and take something from it each time. It does not matter of you are a history buff or a military general, this book will teach you about leadership and more importantly life.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, a guided exposure to the hell which is war
Review: Mark Bowden overlooks few details of the events of October 3, 1993 in a book that was, for me, very difficult to put down. What makes it so appealing is Bowden's attention to detail, making it as interesting as some fiction stories, yet the reader often has to remind themselves that this was a real event. Those who have seen the movie will note many similarities, but the book definitely goes farther than the film by also presenting the recollections of both Americans AND Somalis (including civilians and Aidid militia). Such testimony helps the book by making it universal in terms of its analysis of the battle, giving it more credit as something that would be read in an modern politics/American history course as opposed to a one-sided book, many of which I have read over the years. This book takes both a macro and micro approach in its analysis. Macro - it looks at the geopolitical and domestic implications before and after the battle while on a micro basis, it looks at the performance and experiences of the Americans and Somalis themselves, overall making the book not too general or specific. Black Hawk Down definitely stands out among more modern accounts of warfare and I highly recommend that it be read by those with even the slightest interest in military affairs and political science. Thank You Mr. Bowden.
Rating:
Summary: Leave No Man Behind!
Review: I served with first Ranger Battalion from 96 to 99 and I heard many stories concerning the operation in Somalia and there were many different views of the same story. I was extremely pleased that Mark Bowden told such a detailed account to fill in the blanks of what happened on the ground that fateful day. I encourage all Americans to read this heroic story about its son's and brother's struggle to overcome immense odds to protect the man next to them and make it out alive.
Rating:
Summary: You must read this!
Review: I couldn't wait to ride into work in the morning so I could continue to read this amazing story. I ride the subway every day and that is the only time I read. I enjoyed every moment of this story. Every high school student should be made to read this book because it is more than just a story, it is a moment in time that should never be forgotten.
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