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Amazon.co.uk Review
In Black Hawk Down journalist Mark Bowden delivers a strikingly detailed account of the 1993 nightmare operation in Mogadishu that left 18 American soldiers dead and many more wounded. This early foreign-policy disaster for the Clinton administration led to the resignation of Secretary of Defence Les Aspin and a total troop withdrawal from Somalia. Bowden does not spend much time considering the context; instead he provides a moment-by-moment chronicle of what happened in the air and on the ground. His gritty narrative tells of how Rangers and elite Delta Force troops embarked on a mission to capture a pair of high-ranking deputies to warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid only to find themselves surrounded in a hostile African city. Their high-tech MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters had been shot down and a number of other miscues left them trapped through the night. Bowden describes Mogadishu as a place of Mad Max--like anarchy--implying strongly that there was never any peace for the supposed peacekeepers to keep. He makes full use of the defence bureaucracy's extensive paper trail--which includes official reports, investigations and even radio transcripts--to describe the combat with great accuracy, right down to the actual dialogue. He supplements this with hundreds of his own interviews, turning Black Hawk Down into a completely authentic non-fiction novel, a lively page-turner that will make readers feel like they're standing beside the embattled troops. This will quickly be realised as a modern military classic. --John J. Miller
Amazon.co.uk Review
Journalist Mark Bowden delivers a strikingly detailed account of the 1993 nightmare operation in Mogadishu that left 18 American soldiers dead and many more wounded. This early foreign-policy disaster for the Clinton administration led to the resignation of Secretary of Defence Les Aspin and a total troop withdrawal from Somalia. Bowden does not spend much time considering the context; instead he provides a moment-by-moment chronicle of what happened in the air and on the ground. His gritty narrative tells of how Rangers and elite Delta Force troops embarked on a mission to capture a pair of high-ranking deputies to warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid only to find themselves surrounded in a hostile African city. Their high-tech MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters had been shot down and a number of other miscues left them trapped through the night. Bowden describes Mogadishu as a place of Mad Max-like anarchy-- implying strongly that there was never any peace for the supposed peacekeepers to keep. He makes full use of the defence bureaucracy's extensive paper trail--which includes official reports, investigations and even radio transcripts--to describe the combat with great accuracy, right down to the actual dialogue. He supplements this with hundreds of his own interviews, turning Black Hawk Down into a completely authentic non-fiction novel, a lively page-turner that will make readers feel like they're standing beside the embattled troops. This will quickly be realised as a modern military classic. --John J. Miller
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm not a big fan of war novels or films but escaping from this book is impossible once you read the first page. Mark Bowden focuses on a mission that was supposed to take just an hour but instead took 24 hours and cost many lives. This book drags you into the heart of the US battle against Somali warlords in Mogadishu and and pages fly past as quickly as the bullets within them.
Mark Bowden has clearly done his research for this book - highlighting both the grievances of the Somali people who felt persecuted by US involvement in their country and the terrors faced by the highly trained elite US Rangers and Delta Forces on the ground and in the air, for whom this battle went terribly wrong.
This battle of US technological might against Somali warlords and ordinary onlookers is especially potent given recent events, and I would strong encourage everyone to read it to gain a glimpse into the US psyche. I defy anyone to not thoroughly enjoy this book!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Very informative book in relation to the United States Rangers and 'Delta' special forces service in Somalia. Overall, exciting and interesting due to revealing how the soldiers 'on the ground' fought and lost. Also showed how vulnerable these men were even with the hi-tech equipment and training. Overall, four out of five stars.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was initially dubious about his book. I'm not a big reader of military accounts, and was afraid that the book would just wind up being a chest beating epic for military fetishists. I must admit that I was pleasently surprised. The narrative spins off into many different stories of the different individuals involved in the fighting, and you find yourself quite absorbed by all of them. It also, to my surprise, isn't just about how the US Rangers and Delta's kicked everyones ass (hoo ha!) it talks of their disilusionment with the American foreign policy, talks of the tribal complexities of the situation they had been thrust into, and creates a solid base of characters as likable as those from any similar novel. But with the added bonus (?) of being true. Superbly researched, excitingly written, this a book you will find hard to put down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Compelling Read - and not just for Military History Buffs
As is mainly the case these days, people will mainly think of the film rather than the originating book when Black Hawk Down is mentioned. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dash Riprock
Black Hawk Down
Based on facts that occurred, the book brings into stark reality the hardship that the US soldiers suffered. It also brings out the extreme bravery of those men. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rosie & Tessa
A Great Read but Missing the Somali Perspective and a Certain Degree...
I won't repeat what other reviewers have already covered in detail. This is indeed a well written, very readable book by an accomplished author. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by Yorkie
A good yarn based on substantial primary evidence
Mark Bowden has managed to present a gripping story of the US involvement in Mogadishu, Somalia, based on primary research with participants - from BOTH sides. Read more
Published on 14 July 2009 by G. D. Busby
Amazing insight into what it was like for those involved
The film remains in my top ten but the book has had me gripped from the very first page. The sad thing is that this is the real life story and one that makes you realise what the... Read more
Published on 18 July 2008 by A. Rae
Brilliant!
An exceptional and unbiased account of the battle, with testimony taken from both sides.
A gripping page-turner, which I couldn't put down.
A gripping page-turner, which I couldn't put down.
Published on 11 Feb 2008 by MattS
Gripping,Moving and Action Packed what more do you need in a true...
Many books ive read accounting modern warfare both about U.S forces and British Forces about famous escapes,Battles and patrols and this is one of the most gripping with defintely... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2008 by T. Glover
harrowing
This book is based on a true story of the American Rangers and Delta Force's attempt in October 1993 to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord from the heart of Mogadishu,... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2007 by J. Mellor
Superb!! A terrific insight...
US troops attempt a broad daylight kidnap attempt in the city centre of Mogadishu, Somalia. Everything goes to plan, until first one, then two helicopters are downed in the... Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2007 by The Owler
AMAZING
One of the best books i have ever read.
It's a true story about American rangers and Delta force raiding Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993. Read more
It's a true story about American rangers and Delta force raiding Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2006 by Ian Gibbs
Listmania!
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