Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War

by Mark Bowden

He didn’t know whether to feel more ashamed of his fear or his sheeplike acceptance of the orders. When it came time to climb in the vehicles he again followed orders, amazed at his own passivity. He would go out into Mogadishu and risk his life but it wasn’t out of passion or solidarity or patriotism, it was because he didn’t dare refuse.

The difference between being a coward and hero is not whether you’re scared, it’s what you do while you’re scared.”

“When war starts, a soldier wants like hell to be there, but once he’s there, he wants like hell to come home.”