Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down is a gripping account of the 1993 raid on Mogadishu, Somalia, where 140 elite US Soldiers were pinned down and fought for their lives against thousands of heavily armed Somalis. Eighteen American soldiers were dead and over seventy badly injured, while the Somali toll was far worse. The book is destined to become a classic of war reporting.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

Already winning acclaim as one of the best accounts of combat ever written, Black Hawk Down is a minute-by-minute, heart-stopping account of the 1993 raid on Mogadishu, Somalia. Late in the afternoon of Sunday, October 3, 1993, 140 elite US Soldiers abseiled from helicopters into a teeming market neighborhood in the heart of the city. Their mission was to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord and return to base. It was supposed to take them about an hour. Instead, they were pinned down through a long and terrible night in a hostile city, fighting for their lives against thousands of heavily armed Somalis. Two of their high-tech helicopters were shot out of the sky. When the unit was rescued the following morning, eighteen American soldiers were dead and more than seventy badly injured. The Somali toll was far worse - more than five hundred killed and over a thousand injured. Authoritative, gripping, and insightful, Black Hawk Down is destined to become a classic of war reporting. It is already the most accurate, detailed account of modern combat ever written.

Black Hawk Down: A Heart-Stopping Account of Combat

In the late afternoon of Sunday, October 3, 1993, a remarkable event unfolded in Mogadishu, Somalia. A team of 140 elite US Soldiers, abseiled from helicopters, embarked on a mission to capture two top lieutenants of a notorious Somali warlord. Their objective was to swiftly return to base after an hour-long operation. However, their plans took a drastic turn when they found themselves trapped in a fierce battle against thousands of heavily armed Somalis.

The night turned into a nightmare as the US Soldiers fought for their lives, facing relentless enemy fire and enduring extreme conditions. Two of their high-tech helicopters were shot down, leaving the unit vulnerable and exposed. The rescue mission the following morning was a harrowing ordeal, as eighteen American soldiers lost their lives and over seventy were badly injured. The Somali toll was even more devastating, with over five hundred people killed and over a thousand injured.

Black Hawk Down, written by Mark Bowden, has already gained widespread acclaim as one of the finest accounts of combat ever written. It provides a minute-by-minute, heart-stopping account of the events that transpired on that fateful day. Bowden's authoritative and gripping narrative captures the intensity, chaos, and bravery of the soldiers involved. The book is filled with insightful observations and analysis, offering a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of modern warfare.

What sets Black Hawk Down apart is its unparalleled accuracy and detail. Bowden has conducted extensive research and interviewed numerous participants, including soldiers, civilians, and political leaders, to piece together the most comprehensive account of modern combat ever written. The book delves into the technical aspects of military operations, the psychological toll of combat, and the political complexities that underpinned the raid.

Black Hawk Down is not just a story of bravery and sacrifice; it is also a reflection on the human cost of war. The soldiers who participated in the raid faced immense physical and emotional challenges, and many of them carried the scars of their experiences for the rest of their lives. The book sheds light on the emotional toll of combat, the bonds forged between soldiers, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Black Hawk Down is a masterpiece of war reporting that deserves to be read by anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern warfare. It is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the US Soldiers who participated in the raid and a reminder of the devastating consequences of war. The book is destined to become a classic of war reporting, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780552178976