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Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War

Mark Bowden

4.28 · Rating details · 53,509 ratings · 1,582 reviews

"Destined to become a classic of war reporting, this is a brilliant account of the longest sustained firefight involving American troops since the Vietnam War. On October 3, 1993, about a hundred U.S. soldiers were dropped by helicopter into a teeming market in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord. The action was supposed to ta ...more

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Paperback, 486 pages

Published August 7th 2001 by Signet (first published February 10th 1999)

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Apr 06, 2017 Will Byrnes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, american-history, military-and-intelligence-non-fic

The book describes, from the ground up, a US attack on the part of Mogadishu controlled by Somali military commander Mohamed Aidid, after Aidid had attacked a UN peacekeeping force. They had intended to grab some of his lieutenants (it is unclear to me if they intended to grab Aidid) himself, an attempt to de-fang a local warlord who had been a thorn in the side re the attempt to establish a government in Somalia.

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Image from BBC

There was a lack of appreciation for the theater conditions and many The book describes, from the ground up, a US attack on the part of Mogadishu controlled by Somali military commander Mohamed Aidid, after Aidid had attacked a UN peacekeeping force. They had intended to grab some of his lieutenants (it is unclear to me if they intended to grab Aidid) himself, an attempt to de-fang a local warlord who had been a thorn in the side re the attempt to establish a government in Somalia.

Image from BBC

There was a lack of appreciation for the theater conditions and many men were injured or killed. The descriptions match in print what the film Private Ryan showed on-screen re the bloodiness and horror of actual combat. Scattered throughout the book are tidbits that add up to form a vivid image. Bowden describes not only the perspective of the American combatants, but of some of the Somali participants as well. He informs us that the Italians were providing information to the locals re the American movements He also lets us know something of the complexity of the problem in Somalia, not a simple situation in which a freedom loving people is being subjugated by an evil warlord, but one in which there are many warring factions, each as nasty as the others. Most people do not want the kind of peace America envisaged. This has obvious lessons for the Balkans, where ethnic hatred has been a participation sport for centuries,and many other areas in which ancient tensions bubble beneath the surface.

The book details how the Americans were unprepared for some of the enemy tactics, like using Rocket-propelled-grenades (RPG's) to attack helicopters, a trick the Afghanistan fighters taught them. The battle descriptions show how the locals try to take advantage of American sensibilities by hiding behind women and children hoping the Yanks would not shoot them. And it also shows how some devout Moslems were offended by the barbarism of their countrymen.

It would have helped to have a map of Somalia, of Mogadishu, particularly a street map to provide some bearings. Versions later than the one I read have maps, so that is not a live concern. It would also have helped to have section headings to help one keep track of the various groups Bowden follows, as his descriptions darted from group to group.

There are lessons here re the politics of "small engagements," that seem to speak volumes to contemporary warfare, and to the physical tactics as well. Things are not so simple

This book made the Times top ten list.

The Ridley Scott-directed film that was made of this book is magnificent.

Published - February 10, 1999

Review posted - April 7, 2017 ...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Lyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Impressive.

Another example of where the film is not even close to how good the book is, this narrative is gripping and very powerful.

I had an Army friend who was there in Mogadishu at the time and said that the book was good journalism whereas the film was ridiculous. From my perspective, the Captain Steele from the book was Colonel Steele, commander of the 101st Airborne Rakkasans between 2004 and 2006, while I was in Iraq. Professional tough guy, former University of Georgia bulldog under Vinc ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Matt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: battle-narrative

“[T]here was an explosion overhead. [Specialist John] Waddell looked up to see a Black Hawk twisting oddly as it flew.

‘Hey, that bird’s going down!’ shouted one of the men across the street.

[Specialist Shawn] Nelson screamed, ‘A bird’s been hit! A bird’s been hit!’

Nelson had seen the whole thing. He had seen the flash of the RPG launcher and had followed the smoke trail of the grenade as it rose up at the tail of Black Hawk Super Six One, which was directly overhead.

They all heard the thunder ...more

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Mar 07, 2018 Tara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: military-non-fiction

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War gives readers an impressively comprehensive look at the deplorably mismanaged U.S. military raid in Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October 1993. 99 American troops, a force comprised predominately of Army Rangers and Delta Force operators, descended on the Bakara Market in order to capture two of Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s valued lieutenants. Aidid, a former Somali general, was head of the formidable Habr Gidr clan, then in control of the city. To the U.S., as well as Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War gives readers an impressively comprehensive look at the deplorably mismanaged U.S. military raid in Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October 1993. 99 American troops, a force comprised predominately of Army Rangers and Delta Force operators, descended on the Bakara Market in order to capture two of Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s valued lieutenants. Aidid, a former Somali general, was head of the formidable Habr Gidr clan, then in control of the city. To the U.S., as well as various other nations, Aidid was nothing more than a brutal warlord, a man effectively responsible for starving much of the population to death in his merciless bid for power.

This “snatch-and-grab” mission, expected to take less than an hour, resulted in the ferocious 15-hour Battle of Mogadishu, the “longest sustained firefight involving American troops since the Vietnam War.” The soldiers fought off thousands of armed Somalis, confronted by one unanticipated snafu after another, including (but certainly not limited to) the well-coordinated RPG attacks that successfully took down multiple U.S. military helicopters. Over the course of the fighting, 18 American troops and an indeterminate number of Somali citizens were killed. Estimates for Somali fatalities vary widely depending on the source, and range from hundreds to possibly even thousands of people.

Bowden presented this engrossing story to readers in what initially felt like a dizzyingly chaotic manner, rapidly shifting back and forth between numerous different eyewitness perspectives. Although you do hear from a fair few Somali teenagers, civilians, and even Habr Gidr clansmen, you primarily witness the event through the eyes of the Rangers, Delta soldiers and helicopter pilots. From ranking officers to lowly privates, dozens of their personal stories were included.

Heightening this sense of disorienting fragmentation, the author frequently interrupted the main narrative to discuss what was, by and large, rather essential background information. During these recurrent asides, readers are apprised of the sociopolitical climate in Somalia, America’s involvement in the region, the backstories of many of the soldiers, what Ranger training entails, the task force’s procedures, tactics, and weapons specifications, and much, much more. As the story proceeded, these often indispensable details were inserted piecemeal, in a fractured, at times seemingly haphazard fashion.

So basically, in addition to the aforementioned ever-shifting POV of the narrative, readers must also contend with a slew of overwhelming, though immensely illuminating, tangents. At first, I found all this jarring and distracting; whenever the action was put on hold, I felt irritated and impatient, eager to get back to the story and find out what happened next. However, I got used to this approach—and even grew to appreciate it—relatively quickly. While it appeared blurry and bewildering at first, what emerged over time was an assiduously detailed, essentially kaleidoscopic study, replete with a wealth of fascinating, significant facts. To give one example of the kind of details I’m talking about, here’s a helpful tidbit concerning the rifle and ammunition that were used by many of the men:

“His weapon was the most sophisticated infantry rifle in the world, a customized CAR-15, and he was shooting the army’s new 5.56 mm green-tip round. The green tip had a tungsten carbide penetrator at the tip, and would punch holes in metal, but that very penetrating power meant his rounds were passing right through his targets. […] The bullet made a small, clean hole, and unless it happened to hit the heart or spine, it wasn’t enough to stop a man in his tracks. Howe felt like he had to hit a guy five or six times just to get his attention. They used to kid Randy Shughart because he shunned the modern rifle and ammunition and carried a Vietnam era M-14, which shot a 7.62 round without the penetrating qualities of the new green tip. It occurred to Howe as he saw those Sammies keep on running that Randy was the smartest soldier in the unit. His rifle may have been heavier and comparatively awkward and delivered a mean recoil, but it damn sure knocked a man down with one bullet, and in combat, one shot was often all you got. You shoot a guy, you want to see him go down; you don’t want to be guessing for the next five hours whether you hit him, or whether he’s still waiting for you in the weeds.”

Overall, even though the author had no military experience or expertise, he really did his homework for this book, and it showed. And, as he pointed out in the epilogue, the battle is an important case study, both in terms of Special Forces missions specifically, and also with respect to American foreign policy in general. Bowden’s in-depth, meticulous depiction was on the whole both absorbing and informative and, as such, was well worth reading. ...more

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Nov 17, 2018 Supratim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, military-non-fiction

I am giving the book a rating of 4.5!

I have played the computer game, watched the movie at least a couple of times, and finally got the chance to read the book. Trust me, the book is so much better. This is not just a booklover speaking – the movie was really good, but the book does a much better job of bringing out the human elements, insights into the Somali perspective and the aftermath of the mission.

The African nation of Somalia had been ravaged by civil war and a famine had broken out. The I am giving the book a rating of 4.5!

I have played the computer game, watched the movie at least a couple of times, and finally got the chance to read the book. Trust me, the book is so much better. This is not just a booklover speaking – the movie was really good, but the book does a much better job of bringing out the human elements, insights into the Somali perspective and the aftermath of the mission.

The African nation of Somalia had been ravaged by civil war and a famine had broken out. The United Nations had intervened and peacekeeping troops had been deployed to ensure a secure environment to carry out humanitarian operations. There were quite a few Somali factions and very powerful among them was the war lord, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the head of the Habr Gidr clan.

The book tells the story of the American mission to capture some Habr Gidr clan members in city of Mogadishu. US Army Rangers and the elite Delta Force operatives were sent for this “grab and snatch” operation– which was thought to be pretty simple and expected to be finished within one hour. But, the unthinkable happened. Two Black Hawk Helicopters were shot down by RPGs and the situation escalated into the “longest sustained firefight involving American troops since the Vietnam War.”

The American soldiers found themselves fighting with thousands of armed Somalis, trapped in a city where everyone is potential threat. Reinforcements and rescue were late, and the Americans had to survive on their own. America lost eighteen of her soldiers while the Somali death toll was in hundreds.

The book is a non-fiction account of a military operation, yet it reads like a war fiction. The writing is so engrossing that I felt I was transported to Somalia and witnessing the events. The author wrote a gripping account and did not try to sensationalize it. In between describing the fighting, the author would provide the back stories of the US soldiers, the political climate of Somalia, and the experiences of a few Somalis. The narration keeps shifting back and forth between the experiences of many characters. What I liked best was the inclusion of the Somali perspective, some insights into why the Americans were the enemy to so many Somalis, what was the aftermath of this mission.

I appreciate the honesty and sincerity of the author – he has unequivocally acknowledged that he is no expert on military matters. Yet, this book is in the curriculum of army schools, and the author had been invited to talk in military seminars. It shows what good a job he has done in writing this book.

I understand that this book is not meant for everybody. It shows war and violence in its naked ruthlessness. The blood that had been split was real, and the people who died were real. If you like reading military non-fiction books, then I would strongly urge you to give this one a try. ...more

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Jan 27, 2015 Pramod Nair rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: military-history

If 'Black Hawk Down' was a war novel, it would definitely have a place among the very best of that genre. Written with such intensity, this military history volume by journalist Mark Bowden, brilliantly captures every minute moments from one of the longest modern day infantry engagements.

When American soldiers were dropped by helicopter into the Bakara market right in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia on October 3 1993 for a supposedly easy in and out abduction mission they had no idea that they If 'Black Hawk Down' was a war novel, it would definitely have a place among the very best of that genre. Written with such intensity, this military history volume by journalist Mark Bowden, brilliantly captures every minute moments from one of the longest modern day infantry engagements.

When American soldiers were dropped by helicopter into the Bakara market right in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia on October 3 1993 for a supposedly easy in and out abduction mission they had no idea that they were going to be part of one of the most terrible, long and sustained close-combat firefights since Vietnam war.

The mission was straightforward; abduct two top brass lieutenants of the self-proclaimed president-to-be Mohamed Farrah Aidid from a building in Bakara Market. After careful planning and recon the mission was given to a joint group of soldiers consisting of the U.S. Army Rangers from Bravo Company, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta and Air Force men and helicopters from 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. But the dynamics of engagement changed right from the start of the mission as the fluidity and unpredictability of battlefield took over and blew away best-laid operational plans; resulting in a mission which was thought of as a cake-walk turn horribly wrong with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters shot down and the troops pinned down with heavy armed resistance from Somali militiamen loyal to Aidid.

A mission, that was believed to be over in a couple hours turned into a long and bloody night battle right in the middle of an urban market teeming with thousands of armed Somalis and civilians. The trapped raiding party finally had to be rescued by a relief convoy made up of elements from Task Force 2–14 Infantry and 10th Mountain Division, accompanied by Malaysian and Pakistani U.N. forces. When the battle was over the causalities among the Somalis where over 2000 with a lot of civilians among them and of the initial raiding force 18 American soldiers were dead, with more than 70 badly injured and one of the Black Hawk pilots captured by Aidid’s men. Of the rescue forces one Pakistani soldier and one Malaysian soldier got killed in the action.

The fallout from this engagement was far reaching as this 'incident' forced the Clinton administration to totally withdraw American troops from Somalia. The book by Bowden is a result of inspecting and studying mountains of official reports, investigation snapshots and even transcripts of communications between combat troops and conducting hundreds of exhaustive interviews with the participants from both side; this adds to the level of detailing that is placed into the narrative and it's authenticity.

Black Hawk Down tells the realistic tale of this modern day infantry combat with such vigor and brutally shocking honesty. It also will give the reader insights into the local & international politics surrounding the events, which led to the engagement at Bakara Market and how a supposed peacekeeping mission by UN in Somalia escalated into an armed conflict.

If you have already seen the 'Black Hawk Down' movie, even then give this book a try and you will be amazed with the power of written words; as Bowden captures each and every moment of the engagement - happening in both air and ground - with such vividness. For me the book made a lot more powerful impact than the movie. ...more

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May 27, 2011 Joni rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Okay, first of all, I am not usually the person that likes "war" type books. But, I have wanted to read this book for awhile. I remember when this actually happened, but being a freshman in high school, I had bigger things going on... Throughout this book, I kept asking myself "who are these guys??" It amazes me what wonderful guys are serving my country. I had to giggle when a group of men were holed up in a shack with many of the Somalians closing in on them, blood was seeping everywhere from ...more

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Jul 05, 2014 Igor Ljubuncic rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: military, history, warfare, modern, special-forces, mark-bowden, combat

First an apology. I've accidentally reviewed this book with two stars two years ago. Not sure why. I got confused. Anyway, I've done unjustice to a really excellent work of history and military biography, and now it is time to correct this.

So please disregard any comments and thoughts on my behalf before Oct 2, 2017.

Now, the actual review:

A fantastic book.

Spectacular narrative, lots of personal touches, and we learn about the soldiers who fought, their fears and frustrations, their ideas and ide First an apology. I've accidentally reviewed this book with two stars two years ago. Not sure why. I got confused. Anyway, I've done unjustice to a really excellent work of history and military biography, and now it is time to correct this.

So please disregard any comments and thoughts on my behalf before Oct 2, 2017.

Now, the actual review:

A fantastic book.

Spectacular narrative, lots of personal touches, and we learn about the soldiers who fought, their fears and frustrations, their ideas and ideology, their creed, their friends, how they felt through the battle. Situations go from ridiculous (jacking escapades including parachute harnesses and walking the dawg) to introspective (how Delta Force soldiers felt about the situation, and how Howe hated everything, from Capt Steer to his armor-piercing ammunition to the casual attitude of the Rangers toward the general situations) to dreadful (the deaths of Smith and Pella and Joyce). The combat feels dirty and exhausting, as it should be. The situation is hectic and chaotic. The officers are obstinate and confused. The soldiers are happy, mad or frightened.

It is also a thousand times better than the movie. After all, the movie is a Hollywood production, so it must cater to the masses. Drama but not too much drama as to deject and depress the audience. The cinematic spin actually takes away from some of the heroism and deep personal dilemmas that the Rangers and Delta Force operatives fighting in Mogadishu faced that day.

The book also shows us the other side of this coin - not just the raw battle. The Somali perspective, the thoughts and the anguish of the families and the widows back in the US, the political fiasco behind the involvement, Mike Durrant's ordeal in captivity. It's not just gung-ho shooting and blasting heavy guns.

All in all, this is one of the more pleasing combat narratives I've read. It's sad, poignant, impressive, silly, and most importantly, extremely well written. You enjoy the story, and you care for the protagonists, politics and all that nonsense notwithstanding. A soldiers' tale.

Highly recommended.

Igor ...more

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Jun 13, 2009 'Aussie Rick' rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-military, favourites

This is one of those great books that you can't put down; it reads like a novel, a fast paced narrative that can sometimes make you forget that it's a true life drama where real people die. I enjoyed reading this book and it's nice to see an honest appraisal of a stuffed-up mission, which was no fault of the men on the ground.

This is a well presented account of the men of the US Army Rangers and Delta Force troops involved in a mission to capture a pair of high-ranking deputies to warlord Moham ...more

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Mar 01, 2008 Mike rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The movie is a gore-fest, but the book chronicles all the background intricacies that you can't find in a movie (of course). One highlight for me: When I finished reading the book, my son, who was in Iraq at the time, told me he had met one of the men who survived this incident. However, he also told me he met this man as he was being flown out for a cancer checkup. This man who had escaped this brutal attack had cancer two years later. After surviving that, he went on to go back into the Army a ...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Dave Cullen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Expertly done in so many ways.

The chief drawback: so many of the characters were interchangeable, it became very hard to keep them straight each time we returned to one.

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May 28, 2013 Jur rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own

The book provides an in depth account of the U.S. (not U.N.) operation to capture two main partners of General Aidid, leader of the Habr Gidr, the clan dominating Somalia at the time.

Last weekend I also watched the movie (directed by Ridley Scott) and there's a couple of disconcerting differences, the main being that the movie strips out most of the uncomfortable parts of the book. That is the very strong criticism on the leadership (although Bowden often uses the Delta Force participants to vo ...more

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Apr 25, 2017 Edwin Priest rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

In 1993, a small force of US Rangers and ultra-elite Delta force soldiers staged a lightening raid in the center of Mogadishu, Somalia. The purpose was to capture several higher-up Somali warlords who were reeking havoc on the local populace in their bids for power. The raid, as we all know, did not go well, and the task force ended up getting pinned down in a fierce gunfight with the local populace, losing two helicopters, 18 soldiers and requiring a huge multi-national operation to rescue them In 1993, a small force of US Rangers and ultra-elite Delta force soldiers staged a lightening raid in the center of Mogadishu, Somalia. The purpose was to capture several higher-up Somali warlords who were reeking havoc on the local populace in their bids for power. The raid, as we all know, did not go well, and the task force ended up getting pinned down in a fierce gunfight with the local populace, losing two helicopters, 18 soldiers and requiring a huge multi-national operation to rescue them.

Bowden does exactly what he sets out to do in this book, to create a detailed and accurate historical account of this conflict. Clearly a lot of research went into this book. Bowden describes on an intimately personal level the minute by minute stories of the soldiers in this conflict, the mistakes, the second guessing and of course, the heroism. And in doing this, Bowden truly nails the horror and chaos of this mission gone awry, giving the reader a powerful sense of what it is like to be in the middle of it all, making decisions on inadequate information, scared and ultimately just trying to survive.

But Bowden digs deeper. He paints us a picture of the culture and mores of the military, especially these uber-special forces, with their hubris and swaggering bravado. He shows us how this culture either served, or failed to serve, the individuals in this battle. He looks into the justifications and internal survival strategies that soldiers need to do what they do. Yes, these men are generally all upstanding representatives of all that American stands for. But Bowden shows how some of this shiny American code of ethics can flake off as soldiers struggle to stay alive. As is true in any war, the enemy will get sterotyped, marginalized and dehumanized. The Somalis are the Skinnies, the Sammies. They are in the soldiers minds dirty, immoral and contemptible, a viewpoint which ultimately makes it easier for them to do what they have to do.

In the sense of an historical and personal chronicle of a “modern” war-time conflict then, this book is outstanding. Bowden also tries to give us an overview of the bigger political perspective in which these events took place and, especially in the epilogue, of the political aftermath that followed. Sometimes though, I feel that Bowden loses sight of the elitism and attitudes that created this whole Mogadishu shit-storm in the first place. The “peacekeeping” UN mission was in many ways anything but, and the Somalis resented the Rangers, with all of their arrogance and disrespect. And conversely, the US establishment never really did try to understand the deeper social and political issues going on at the time in Somalia.

Yes, this is a detailed, gritty and powerful story of heroism and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Bowden, justifiably, glorifies the soldiers and the US mission and purpose. But in doing so, he pays little attention to the elitist attitudes and actions of these "peacekeepers" that ultimately caused this conflict. 3-1/2 stars. ...more

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Feb 24, 2009 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: history-or-politics, war-is-hell

Gripping read and detailed account of the 1993 horrific operation in Mogadishu that resulted in American soldiers dead and wounded. Before reading this book, the only memory or information I had about the event were the images of two American soldiers being dragged through the streets by the Somalians- courtesy of CNN.

This is a story about bravery, honor, and camaraderie- all of which are borne out of utter chaos. Everything that can go wrong during this operation does: two Black Hawk helicopter ...more

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Jun 20, 2017 David Lucero rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Hard-hitting and gut-busting!

I read this immediately after watching the movie and was impressed how much the film followed the book. The author received interviews from soldiers first-hand, and the details Bowden includes in his book are incredible. Like the movie, your eyes will be glued to the pages in this book.

US soldiers are assigned to arrest and bring to justice a Somali warlord who has been stealing food shipped by the United Nations to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths by starvati ...more

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Mar 07, 2017 David rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Rangers, D-boys, military journalists, Black Hawk pilots, Somali warlords

Shelves: non-fiction, history, 1990s, audiobook, military-history, war

I haven't yet seen the film (it's in my Netflix queue) but this book is probably one of the best war memoirs written by someone who wasn't a soldier and wasn't there.

Mark Bowden is a journalist who took an interest in the disastrous 1993 mission to capture the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. A well-practiced mission executed by the elite Army Rangers and the even more elite Delta Force (the "D-boys" as the Rangers called them), they went into the heart of Mogadishu expecting to do a snatch-n-grab. I haven't yet seen the film (it's in my Netflix queue) but this book is probably one of the best war memoirs written by someone who wasn't a soldier and wasn't there.

Mark Bowden is a journalist who took an interest in the disastrous 1993 mission to capture the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. A well-practiced mission executed by the elite Army Rangers and the even more elite Delta Force (the "D-boys" as the Rangers called them), they went into the heart of Mogadishu expecting to do a snatch-n-grab. Instead, one of the Black Hawk helicopters is brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade, and in the chaos that follows, the Rangers and D-boys are trapped in Mogadishu surrounded by hundreds of angry locals, the "combatants" and "non-combatants" essentially indistinguishable, and forced to hold them off with superior firepower overnight, until they are finally rescued in the morning by the 10th Mountain Division, a regular Army unit.

Bowden, who interviewed as many of the survivors as he could find, including the super-secretive Delta Force troops (who, once he was able to find them, were surprisingly willing to tell him details of what happened), also went to Somalia and interviewed as many Somalis as he could find who were there, getting both sides of the story. From this, he constructed a narrative that, as he tells it, has the realism of a documentary but the drama of a novel. And his narrative is dramatic and harrowing and puts you there, in the air and then on the ground, as the Army unit takes casualties, guns down women and children (who are shooting at them or acting as spotters for snipers), while donkeys and doves casually stroll unscathed through the firefight. He covers the entire action in detail from the planning to the aftermath. And he goes into the politics that led to the mission in the first place, and casts his own verdict about whether or not blame was apportioned fairly afterward. (He takes particular issue with what he calls unfair and inaccurate criticisms by David Hackworth, a retired Army colonel and military writer and journalist whom I used to read regularly.)

This was an excellent read, and really captures the feel, the camaraderie, and the no-BS sheer terror experienced even by hardened vets when exposed to combat, especially when a mission goes sideways. It does not whitewash the horrors and intractability of Somalia, how the US went in with good intentions and the Rangers were initially well-received by the populace, but soon became seen as murderers and terrorists. Sound familiar? ...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Bob Mayer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Reasonably accurate. Having served with some of the participants, it's inevitable some things would be left out. But by giving both sides, Bowden does a good job of showing the fog of war.

Violating one of Rogers Rules of Rangering is pretty amazing for Rangers and Delta to do, but they did. Same plan over and over-- eventually they will catch on.

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Jan 19, 2012 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: ebooks, 2012-around-the-world, history, non-fiction, ultimate-reading-list, political

Bowden's book is every bit as riveting as the film based upon it, every bit as harrowing and visceral. It takes us minute by minute through the terrible battle on the streets of Mogadishu in Somalia on October 3, 1993. The American mission to capture two of clan warlord Aidid's top people was supposed to "take an hour" and at first seemed like it would be completed within minutes of their taking off from base. But then a black hawk helicopter went down, then another, and "ninety-nine American so Bowden's book is every bit as riveting as the film based upon it, every bit as harrowing and visceral. It takes us minute by minute through the terrible battle on the streets of Mogadishu in Somalia on October 3, 1993. The American mission to capture two of clan warlord Aidid's top people was supposed to "take an hour" and at first seemed like it would be completed within minutes of their taking off from base. But then a black hawk helicopter went down, then another, and "ninety-nine American soldiers [were] surrounded and trapped" overnight and fighting for their lives. These were elite soldiers. The Rangers were volunteers thrice over--they had to choose the army, then the airborne, then the Rangers. And the Delta Force soldiers were the elite of the elite. They were what the Rangers aspired to be. They were backed by observation helicopters, on ground intelligence, spy planes and satellites. Their average age was only 19.

The account of the warfare is detailed and spools before your inner eye as vividly as any film--it reads like a novel. In his Afterward Bowden writes about how he tried to efface himself from the story, that he tried to "get out of its way." I greatly appreciated that--I think in another book I read recently, Blood Diamonds, the author was too much in the story. This story was seemless and felt authentic--what came through was the voices and humanity and courage of the soldiers. It was hard to read at times--Bowden doesn't pull any punches in graphically relating what bullets and shrapnel does to vulnerable flesh and bone. But you do feel like he gives you the most vivid account of modern warfare possible without going into combat yourself.

I not only learned about the combatants from both sides, but why the mission was almost inevitably doomed to failure. In that regard the Somali perspectives were invaluable. Not simply because they humanized "the enemy" but because of their explanation of how the initially welcomed American intervention soured for them. As one Somali put it, the Americans "were trying to take down a clan--the most ancient and efficient social organization known to man." And the experience in Somali haunted US Foreign Policy to at least the events of 9/11. As one US State Department Official put it, "Somalia was the experience that taught us that people in these places bear much of the responsibility for things being the way they are. The hatred and the killing continue because they want it to--or they don't want peace enough to stop it." As a result, for better or worse America didn't get involved in Rwanda or Zaire's bloody civil conflicts. As a result of that firefight in Mogadishu, 18 American soldiers lost their lives, and 73 were wounded. The toll on the Somali side was horrific. "Conservative counts numbered five hundred dead among more than a thousand casualties." Even more sobering? It's twenty years later, and Somalia is still a "failed state" in the midst of war. And after that battle in Mogadishu, no one in the international community cares to come between them killing each other.

A gripping and unforgettable book. ...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Monica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, history, worldwide, military, pub_1990s

Bowden absolutely nails the chaos and fear and confusion of battle. This book is riveting in its detail of the "fog of war". Not a book about foreign policy, but about what the implementation of the policy entails. America is the greatest nation that ever existed, with distinct and huge technological and military advantage; however it is not invincible. What essentially amounted to a well armed gang, was able to penetrate that military might. We grossely underestimated the Somali people's will a ...more

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Jun 10, 2013 Booknblues rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: africa, somalia, war, survival

Black Hawk Down
By Mark Bowden
4 stars
pp. 486

I am not one to shy away from difficult subjects, but Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down is one of the most disturbing books which I have read in recent years and it is disturbing on so many levels, the loss of life, the senselessness, the clash of cultures, the fact that the necessary time was not taken to learn the essentials lessons from this, but instead a rush to put the past and Somalia behind us.

Black Hawk Down is an account of a battle fought on Octo ...more

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Mar 01, 2014 Judy rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Around-the-world readers

Shelves: 2014-reads, favorites, somalia, non-fiction, africa, history

After reading Matterhorn, I never suspected any other war account could shake its #1 War Classic status in my mind. This book does. I'm still not ready to bump Matterhorn down; however, this book at least equals it considering that it is a particularly engaging non-fiction account.

Here are a few outstanding aspects of this narration of the Somali firefight:

(1) The author includes the perspective of Somalians as well as UN Peacekeepers.
(2) The author does a wonderful job of eliminating his own bi ...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Amanda rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned, around-the-world, somalia, skip-the-book-watch-the-movie, war-of-the-worlds

War is hell. Anyone with delusions of it being glorious or anything other than hell needs only to read a few chapters of Black Hawk Down to have those fantasies shattered to smithereens.
I am not exactly sure how to review this book. After all, it is a presentation of real events so I do not think it fair or appropriate to complain about it being dry, depressing, or long since the author is telling it the way it happened.
Mark Bowden definitely did his homework before writing this book. It is pa ...more

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May 23, 2015 Steve rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, military

I realize it's silly to review a best-selling book that's been made into a movie and repackaged and reprinted multiple times, but that's never stopped me before, so...

As a military (and military history) reader, I offer no rational excuse for not having read this book long ago (nor can I explain why I never saw the movie). I remember reacting poorly to one or more book reviews I read at the time, but, still, I should have read it.... On the other hand, there was a certain kismet in that, without I realize it's silly to review a best-selling book that's been made into a movie and repackaged and reprinted multiple times, but that's never stopped me before, so...

As a military (and military history) reader, I offer no rational excuse for not having read this book long ago (nor can I explain why I never saw the movie). I remember reacting poorly to one or more book reviews I read at the time, but, still, I should have read it.... On the other hand, there was a certain kismet in that, without intending to do so, I started the book on a (business) trip to Africa and, indeed, read it while flying over (and working in) the state(s) that surround Somalia. Having worked (albeit briefly) in a number of African states, it's both sad and informative to read about another step in Somalia's modern-era civil war and descent into its current, depressing, all-too-often seemingly hopelessly chaotic state (although, increasingly, Somalia is enjoying some amount of reconstruction and is now optimistically described as a progressing, evolving "fragile state").

For non-military readers, the most important thing to know is that the author succeeds in presenting a detailed, harrowing non-fiction account of a dramatic military confrontation that reads like best-selling, airport bookstore fiction. The author did his homework, he interviewed many of the participants, and his access to a wealth of raw data (including video and tape from the battle) leads to a uniquely precise and orderly account of an otherwise chaotic series of events. But, while this is history, the story (and, ultimately, the action) drives the train.

Granted, I shouldn't be surprised on that score, to the extent that I really enjoyed the author's football (NFL history) book, The Best Game Ever, and, indeed, I consider it one of the better sports books I've read. Accordingly, I applaud the author's ability to ply his art across highly divergent genres, and I expect I'll end up reading more of his work.

For similar reasons, I strongly recommend taking the time to read the author's 2010 afterword - and, in retrospect - I could see it serving equally well, if not better, as a forward or preface. The author makes clear (what should have been obvious to any reader) that the art of this book is the author's presentation and empowerment of the soldiers' (and the participants') voices, rather than his own. The author plays no role in the story, and he remains invisible throughout the telling. He contrasts his approach - with help from critics (and/or what some might call literary snobs) - from generations of authors who determined that black humor, cynicism, and, implicitly, condescension and disrespect for the military (generally) and soldiers (individually and collectively) was the gold standard of war reporting. I applaud the author for his consistent and disciplined respect for those who serve, with all of their human failings, fears, and, well, humanity.

Nonetheless, or, maybe, ultimately, the story (not the book) is immensely frustrating, as it graphically, painstakingly, and painfully, presents a brief anecdote of the fog of war, how political and leadership decisions impact the lives of soldiers, their families and, of course, people, communities, and states abroad ... and, of course, the next generation. For better or worse, in the new Millennium, Iraq and Afghanistan have generated a wealth of similar "new journalistic" accounts of urban warfare, small unit actions, and the actual experience of soldiers (rather than dispassionate high-level reconstruction of grand battles). War is messy, and the costs are high, and this book is a poignant reminder of both. In any event, I'd add this volume to a growing shelf of books that I'd love to see high school students exposed to before they truly enter adulthood, vote, consider military service, attend college, or form their initial (yet hard to change/inform) opinions about the nation's role in the world.

There are a lot of players in the drama, and Bowden provides an extensive index (for that and other reasons). As an oft-academic reader, I'd personally have preferred Bowden's fulsome end notes as footnotes. In many cases, Bowden expands at length on specific events and recollections. Had these commentaries been at the bottom of the page when I was reading the relevant passage, I expect I would have spent significantly more time with them.

Bowden's hard work paid off on this one. I expect this one will stay on bookshelves for years to come.... ...more

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Apr 28, 2016 Michael Gerald rated it really liked it · review of another edition

In 2001, the movie Black Hawk Down was critically hailed as one of the greatest war films of all time. Its depiction of the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3-4, 1993 was based on the book of the same title, published in 1999.

Somalia evokes two images: famine and a failed state. The collapse of the Somali state after years of war with neighboring Ethiopia and among rival clans exacerbated famine and made it man-made.

The UN moved to intervene and provide humanitarian assistance and, with the the le In 2001, the movie Black Hawk Down was critically hailed as one of the greatest war films of all time. Its depiction of the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3-4, 1993 was based on the book of the same title, published in 1999.

Somalia evokes two images: famine and a failed state. The collapse of the Somali state after years of war with neighboring Ethiopia and among rival clans exacerbated famine and made it man-made.

The UN moved to intervene and provide humanitarian assistance and, with the the lead of the US, tried to neutralize the warlords are destroying Somalia.

But as the book reveals, the good intentions of the US to halt the violence and warlordism in Somalia was viewed by many Somalis as interference in their sovereignty. It did not help that US forces often went through Mogadishu, the capital, as if they owned the place and displaying an almost racist contempt for the Somali people in general with their use of derogatory remarks such as "Skinnies" and "Sammies" to describe the Somalis.

This is not to condone Somali lawlessness and brutality during the famine and the battle. However, it is important to consider the political culture that existed (and probably still exists) in Somalia at the time to explain why the Somalis behaved as they did during the battle. Nevertheless, the images of dead American soldiers being dragged and abused by Somali civilians were (and still are) truly revolting and are inexcusable.

The book also reveals details that were not in the movie or were modified for dramatic purposes. In the movie, two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down; there were actually four Black Hawks that were shot down by Somali RPGs: two crashed on the streets of Mogadishu, while two others were still able to fly and crash landed on the Mogadishu airport that served as the US headquarters. Also, Sergeant Matt Eversmann (portrayed by Josh Harnett) was not in the building where the Rangers and Delta Force made their stand, but was already back at the base!

But the most important revelation from this book was, despite the US mistakes and casualties, the Battle of Mogadishu was an American victory. Or to be precise, a lopsided victory: 19 American dead against an estimated thousand Somali killed and the capture of a number of leaders of the Hadr Gidr clan of the warlord Mohammad Farah Aidid.

Bowden did a an excellent job, given his lack of a military background, in reconstructing the events of the battle through official transcripts, video and audio records, and interviews with the survivors, both American and Somali. Several American survivors and officials have expressed satisfaction with Bowden's narrative that he was often invited as a speaker in many military seminars and conferences.

Perhaps the greatest contribution of Black Hawk Down is the instilling of a sobering reminder, before 9/11, to people that war is not a walk in the park and is certainly not a video game. It is a terribly serious business that costs lives and even the best-laid plans can go awry, but good training, discipline, and judgment can mitigate the fog of war. ...more

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Oct 27, 2008 Michael C rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Down is a nonfiction novel written by Mark Bowden. When he decided to write this book, the government wouldn’t give him any information, but when he attended one of the soldiers funerals, he found that many soldiers were glad to tell their story to someone. By compiling their memories and suffering, he wrote this amazing novel. This is the story of 100 marines against an enemy of over a million. When a simple kidnapping mission goes badly, the men are stuck out in a f Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Down is a nonfiction novel written by Mark Bowden. When he decided to write this book, the government wouldn’t give him any information, but when he attended one of the soldiers funerals, he found that many soldiers were glad to tell their story to someone. By compiling their memories and suffering, he wrote this amazing novel. This is the story of 100 marines against an enemy of over a million. When a simple kidnapping mission goes badly, the men are stuck out in a foreign city for over twelve hours. Other books he has written include Road Work, The Best Game Ever, and Guests of Ayatollah.
This book was the most vivid war narrative I have ever read. By actually talking to soldiers that were in the battle, their emotions and characteristics paint a perfect picture in your mind. I loved how the author gives background info on each soldier, so you were much more sympathetic about their situation. The specific details about the city (Somalia), weaponry and gear, helped you to visualize the entire battle. It was a fast paced book that was difficult to put down, for fear that you may miss something in the battle. For instance, when the soldiers are trapped overnight in a foreign city, he describes how every gunshot, sound and shadow changed their outlook on life and the military. Some decided that this was what they lived for, and others decided that they wanted to see their wife and children.
Though it was extremely enjoyable, Black Hawk Down was an extremely confusing book with too many characters. I felt that the background information on the characters was enjoyable, but he gave too much on too many people. He often talked about 5-10 people, and then returned to the battle. Not only do you have to remember all the characters you just learned, but the ones from before also. When he resumed talking about the battle, it was difficult to remember who was who. I often had to reread passages from past pages to remember who each man was, and what his job was. I probably would have focused more on a few central characters, in order to make the book a little less confusing.
Besides this one weakness, the book was a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. It combined great characterization with unbelievable detail to create the ultimate non-fiction war novel. Any reader that enjoys fast paced, exhilarating, historic military battles and intense books would be extremely fond of this book.
...more

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Mar 30, 2014 Kym Robinson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: specialist-military-and-low-intensi

I was one of those who read this book after they had seen the film. I found the movie to be refreshing in its depiction of action and events, despite only knowing about those events through mini documentaries or magazine articles.

It was not until I read this book that I was able to get a greater picture of the men involved, what 'went down' and the atmosphere surrounding the 'Mog' in the early 1990s.

This is a very easy book to read as far as writing goes, Bowden is skillful in his ability to de ...more

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Dec 31, 2013 Matt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This account of the infamous battle in Mogadishu, Somalia benefits both from the story being so compelling, and from Bowden's structuring style. Bowden interviewed everyone he could get ahold of, both in the US and Somalia, before writing the book- then compared stories and asked for clarification wherever there were discrepancies. Because of this, you get the story from many different perspectives, shifting between them as it unfolds, and the honesty of it serves to illustrate the many complica ...more

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Jul 29, 2015 Carla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A remarkable book. The way the story is told, the detail, the vividness, and emotion.

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Jul 17, 2011 Bonnie E. rated it it was amazing

An intense and incredible story of a 1993 mission by the US Army Rangers and other forces in Somalia. Hands down, this is one of the best books I have ever read. The portrait of each of the main characters is solidly drawn, and you really care about what happens to each of these men. Unlike many books about war or battles, this one gives a real sense of the terrors of close combat and guerilla warfare, and the courage of the soldiers who were faced with battling under extreme circumstances. It's ...more

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Jan 28, 2009 Ryan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Utterly fascinating. If there ever was a way to capture the soldier's experience with words, Bowden has done it. His portrayal reads like a movie, seamlessly incorporating background information along with the minute-by-minute description of the mission, narrating the action as if you were there yourself, hearing the bullets zip by your ear, while really diving into the warrior's mentality: their thoughts on their lack of action, finally gearing up, beginning the fight, suffering through an ambu Utterly fascinating. If there ever was a way to capture the soldier's experience with words, Bowden has done it. His portrayal reads like a movie, seamlessly incorporating background information along with the minute-by-minute description of the mission, narrating the action as if you were there yourself, hearing the bullets zip by your ear, while really diving into the warrior's mentality: their thoughts on their lack of action, finally gearing up, beginning the fight, suffering through an ambush, dodging RPGs, watching their friend suffer an immediately mortal wound, fighting through desperation and hopelessness, feeling pinned down, trapped, and abandoned, and ultimately reflecting afterward. From the first seven-page chapter I was hooked, gripping the pages like I did the armchair when I watched the movie, but tighter this time.

The shocking and disturbing scenes are mixed right in with the touching and bravery-filled heroics. We see a Somali laying in the road, shooting at the Americans, while surrounding himself with women sitting on his back and children at each side. A donkey marches back and forth across the bullet-riddled alley, multiple times, like it's invincible. Two Delta Snipers volunteer to go in to guard a Blawk Hawk wreckage by themselves, knowing they alone will try holding off a wild crowd. A crazed Somali woman runs out into the street, over and over, before the soldiers realize she's pointing out their positions and are forced to drop her. A soldier contemplates his first kill. An 80-year old man wanders into the middle of the battle just to see what all the fuss is about. A private darts across a firing lane three times for IV fluids in an attempt to save the life of a critically wounded buddy. Women and children fill the roads so that the Somalis can shoot from the assemblies, knowing that the Rangers will think twice about shooting towards innocents. And then the Somalis say how angry they are over their dead women and children?

We even get a couple accounts from different Somalis involved in the fight, where they were, why they were fighting, what they were thinking, and how they fit it with Aidid's militia or just how they reacted as a normal clansmen who hated the American's brutal tactics. I certainly didn't expect to get any Somali perspective, but I'm glad that we do.

It's interesting to read this now, as we watch yet another modern example of the limits of American Military Might right before our eyes. It's hard to believe, just as the soldiers in Mog felt, that with all our technology, all our military capabilities, all the training and equipment our soldiers get, that such a mission could be so troubled. Yet the lessons are so paralleled: what can you accomplish without cooperation on the ground? Can you bring help to those that don't want it? What started as a liberating, honest, helpful mission was met with such massive resistance from all sides, such anger at the American way, that the men who were trying to feed the country and bring a warlord to justice ended up as corpses dragged through the dirt steets as villagers cheered.

What can be said? It's Africa? Don't interfere with someone else's civil war? Don't try to police the world? Don't try to help feed the starving? What's the lesson here?

People wondered why no one stepped in with the situation in Rwanda. There have been demonstrations recently concerning Darfur. What do we do? Does America have a moral obligation to help the oppressed? Have we lost our credibility in that department? Would it be welcomed or viewed as bullying other nations, policing the world, or would it be sticking up for human rights? (I just this week finished teaching Night by Elie Weisel to my class of seniors and have been discussing the same issues. We are all shocked at what happened to the Jews, but do we try to prevent another Holocaust? How long do we wait until we do step in? How high was the death total in Rwanda and we did nothing? What's the total in Darfur up to?) Do we even understand the tribal and/or clan makeup of the area? Would we know what we are getting into? It's not encouraging to see the way the Sunni/Shite uprising caught Washington so off guard. What would happen if we went back into Africa?

Regardless, Bowden makes no real effort to interject his thoughts on the lessons we should learn. His portrayal is focused solely on "capturing in words the experience of combat through the eyes and emotions of the soldiers involved, blending their urgent, human perspective with a military and political overview of their predicament," (his words from his Afterword) and he's amazing at it. Every word does exactly that. For a true account of life on the battlefield, piercing, poignant, and full of emotion as well as heart-pulsing drama, there really couldn't be a better portrayal.

(I think my next book will be a satire on love, something a tad lighter... my blood pressure needs a break...) ...more

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About Mark Bowden

Mark Bowden

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Mark Robert Bowden (born July 17, 1951) is an American writer who is currently a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and a 1973 graduate of Loyola College in Maryland, Bowden was a staff writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1979-2003, and has won numerous awards. He has written for Men's Journal, The Atlantic Monthly, Sports Illustrated, and Rolling Stone over the ...more