Heroes in a Forgotten Battle

I received "Black Hawk Down" as a Christmas gift. Frankly, all I could remember about the 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia, it was a peace keeping, UN mission gone awry. I truly had forgotten about this battle. However, through the magic reporting style of author Mark Bowden, this heroic battle again comes alive. The insight, facts, and courage makes this book a must read.

For me, this was a difficult read. I could not put it down, nor did I want to continue reading it. The prose and writing style was to the point, nothing was "sugar coated" by the author. Frankly, the truth of the battle and the strategies was depressing. However, the heroic measures and actions by Delta Force, Ranger, and other soldiers picked up the pace when events were strikenly bad.

Somalia? Bowden gives and American viewpoint of the African country. Interviews with Somalian locals and participants offer another surprising viewpoints of the battle and the politics involved. Somalia? What kind of country is it and why were American troops involved? All these subplots make exceptional reading.

The story is about the longest battle involving American troops since the Vietnam War. The original plan was to enter the city of Mogadishu, capture some Somalian war lords and their staff, and some other rebels, taking about one hour. Circumstances, helicopters being shot down, rescue and back up troops delayed, all lead to Americans killed and other casualties. 18 Americans were killed and over 70 were badly injured. The description, along with some personal life sidebars, was about this singular battle.

Why I couldn't finish reading this book or why I didn't want to? Truly, it was the descriptions of the brutality of the battle, the narratives about the soldier's deaths and injuries. At times, it seemed I was next to these heroes, could see their pain. I read for enjoyment and pleasure, and at times, due to the truthfulness of Bowden's writing, it was difficult to continue. Did I really want to know the extent of their injuries, how they died? With this being non-fiction, it hurt!

This was truly one of the most realistic books I've ever read. Intense, but personable, you get to know the characters, the fighters, the heroes. A compelling read of a forgotten battle.