Rating: 
Summary: Puts you into the battle
Review: Just absolutely great
Rating:
Summary: Unleashed, the dogs of war...
Review: This book rivals "A Civil Action" and "Friday Night Lights" in its compelling novelization of a true story. Even readers with little interest in military writing will likely be enthralled by the sheer excellence of Mr. Bowdens reporting. This is no Tom Clancy novel; but rather an unflinching depiction of the complexity, horror and bravery inherant to any deployment of American ground forces at century's end. Yet, for all it's vivid and intimate recitation of the actual events, the book's most disquieting aspect is perhaps it's singularity: that it is the sole attempt thus far at a definitive account of the largest American firefight since Vietnam. Despite it's many practical lessons for the U.S. Armed Services and it's cautionary influence upon U.S. military policy, this battle has been otherwise forgotten by the American public. As such, "Black Hawk Down" should be required reading for all those who would render opinion on current or future conflicts (Iraq, Kosovo et al). The verisimilitude, seeming fairness and general excellence of this book should come as no surpise to those familiar with Mr. Bowden's "Bringing The Heat"; to this reader(and devout 'Niners fan), the single best football book ever written!
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Summary: Gripping, powerful...what war is really like!
Review: If Private Ryan was a means to visually simulate war, here is the real thing in words.Black Hawk Down takes you inside the US mission to Somalia. It shows you the courage of the US military and how 18 and 19 year olds are putting it on the line for our way of life. This book will grab you from page 1 and Bowden deserves a Pulitzer for this book. Buy it, borrow it but most of all READ IT!
Rating:
Summary: The closest most people will come to a real firefight
Review: Tells the soldier's stories without getting in their way while keeping you anchored in the flow of the battle. Best battle book I have seen in a long time. A most read for anyone advocating the use of American troops in peacekeeping and especially peacemaking operations. Dennis Lowrey LTC, US Army retired
Rating: 
Summary: A Cracking Good Read
Review: This is a cracking good read that scoops you right up in the choppers with the Rangers and Delta commandoes and drops you right in the heart of Mogadishu where everything is scarce except crazy-ass Somalis with AK-47s and RPGs. You can almost hear the bullets popping past your head. You can't help but admire our guys but at the same time feel a sympathy for Somalis shooting back at a force of foreigners shooting up their town.
Rating:
Summary: Anyone who says this book is "boring" hasn't read it
Review: This is the best book I have read in a long time. I never read over 300 pages of text so fast. A very good book and definately worth the money
Rating:
Summary: An excellent piece of journalistic work!
Review: Fantastically researched and well writen. Blackhawk Down puts the reader directly into the heat of the battle. Mr. Bowden presented a story of a great military power who has yet to adapt itself in the new world of urban warfare and how elite U.S. troops are place in needless danger by the politicians without military experience and unclear political mandates.
Rating: 
Summary: It was not worth my money
Review: It was borin
Rating:
Summary: A fine, fine, book but only part of the story
Review: This book is one amazing piece of the larger Somalia debacle.Anyone who reads this book should also take the time to get the rest of the story to place it all in context. Thankfully, Mr. Bowden includes a bibliography. Be sure to read The Road to Hell by Michael Maren to get the picture from the angle of the humanitarian failure. But this is the only book you need from the military perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Brave Men, Under Dire Circumstances
Review: Without a doubt, this ranks as one of the best historical accounts of a battle I'm sure civilian America would rather forget. But to the combatants, I'm sure it's something that they never will. My hat's off to Mr. Bowden. For he finally proves to me that there ARE reporters out there that are willing to record what we have to say, and report it dilligently. As a former Spec Op soldier having never served in Solmalia, Mr. Bowden gives you the feeling of actually being there, which is very important. You're given a firsthand account of the confusion of battle, the gallantry done under fire, and the quickness of sudden death. And to my Ranger brothers and Delta Operators who fought there, and died--you'll never be forgotten by this ex-LRS man. You all did your mission well.
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