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The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts from the Men of Task Force Ranger
“No matter how skilled the writer of nonfiction, you are always getting the story secondhand. Here’s a chance to go right to the source. . . . These men were there.”
–MARK BOWDEN (from the Foreword)
It started as a mission to capture a Somali warlord. It turned into a disastrous urban firefight and death-defying rescue operation that shocked the world and rattled a great nation. Now the 1993 battle for Mogadishu, Somalia–the incident that was the basis of the book and film Black Hawk Down –is remembered by the men who fought and survived it. Six of the best in our military recall their brutal experiences and brave contributions in these never-before-published, firstperson accounts.
“Operation Gothic Serpent,” by Matt As a “chalk” leader, Eversmann was part of the first group of Rangers to “fast rope” from the Black Hawk helicopters. It was his chalk that suffered the first casualty of the battle.
“Sua Of Their Own Accord,” by Raleigh Responsible for controlling and directing fire support for the platoon, Cash entered the raging battle in the ground convoy sent to rescue his besieged brothers in arms.
“Through My Eyes,” by Mike One of only two African Americans in the battle, Kurth confronted his buddies’ deaths, realizing that “the only people whom I had let get anywhere near me since I was a child were gone.”
“What Was Left Behind,” by John He roped into the biggest firefight of the battle and considers some of the mistakes that were made, such as using Black Hawk helicopters to provide sniper cover.
“Be Careful What You Wish For,” by Tim He was one of the Air Force pararescuemen or PJs–the highly trained specialists for whom “That Others May Live” is no catchphrase but a credo–and sums up his incomprehensible courage as “just holding up my end of the deal on a bad day.”
“On Friendship and Firefights,” by Dan As a combat controller, he was one of the original planners for the deployment of SOF forces to Mogadishu in the spring of 1993. During the battle, he survived the initial assault and carnage of the vehicle convoys only to return to the city to rescue his two closest friends, becoming, literally, “Last Out.”
With America’s withdrawal from Somalia an oft-cited incitement to Osama bin Laden, it is imperative to revisit this seminal military mission and learn its lessons from the men who were there and, amazingly, are still here.
–MARK BOWDEN (from the Foreword)
It started as a mission to capture a Somali warlord. It turned into a disastrous urban firefight and death-defying rescue operation that shocked the world and rattled a great nation. Now the 1993 battle for Mogadishu, Somalia–the incident that was the basis of the book and film Black Hawk Down –is remembered by the men who fought and survived it. Six of the best in our military recall their brutal experiences and brave contributions in these never-before-published, firstperson accounts.
“Operation Gothic Serpent,” by Matt As a “chalk” leader, Eversmann was part of the first group of Rangers to “fast rope” from the Black Hawk helicopters. It was his chalk that suffered the first casualty of the battle.
“Sua Of Their Own Accord,” by Raleigh Responsible for controlling and directing fire support for the platoon, Cash entered the raging battle in the ground convoy sent to rescue his besieged brothers in arms.
“Through My Eyes,” by Mike One of only two African Americans in the battle, Kurth confronted his buddies’ deaths, realizing that “the only people whom I had let get anywhere near me since I was a child were gone.”
“What Was Left Behind,” by John He roped into the biggest firefight of the battle and considers some of the mistakes that were made, such as using Black Hawk helicopters to provide sniper cover.
“Be Careful What You Wish For,” by Tim He was one of the Air Force pararescuemen or PJs–the highly trained specialists for whom “That Others May Live” is no catchphrase but a credo–and sums up his incomprehensible courage as “just holding up my end of the deal on a bad day.”
“On Friendship and Firefights,” by Dan As a combat controller, he was one of the original planners for the deployment of SOF forces to Mogadishu in the spring of 1993. During the battle, he survived the initial assault and carnage of the vehicle convoys only to return to the city to rescue his two closest friends, becoming, literally, “Last Out.”
With America’s withdrawal from Somalia an oft-cited incitement to Osama bin Laden, it is imperative to revisit this seminal military mission and learn its lessons from the men who were there and, amazingly, are still here.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 12, 2019
Very interesting and informative book. Did the forces really have all the information and gear they needed?
March 10, 2025
6 of the American Warriors who lived the real story of Mogadishu and Black Hawk Down recount their parts of that debacle. This wasn't a book I could read straight through, for I grow angry at the callousness of ignorance, arrogance, and negligence that fills modern American military 'leadership.' We as a nation have failed our warriors ever since Vietnam and continue failing them over and over. Overwhelming force is the safest way to protect our people and to bring the majority of them home and yet we pussyfoot around and hem and haw. If it weren't for the boots on the ground looking out for their buddies to left and right I'm not sure we'd actually accomplish anything anymore. These memoir essays weren't pretty but they were true and that's most important and valuable. They are also fine examples of heroes doing what needs doing for the guys around them.
February 6, 2025
I bought this book a few years ago on vacation in Galveston at a cute little bookstore. The clerk assumed it was my husband's book and started talking to him about it. He was a bit befuddled when he realized I was buying the book, not my husband.
It's been in my TBR pile since then, but recently I had the privilege of talking to Casey Jones' mother. In preparation for writing an article about her, I grab this book to review and refresh my "Black Hawk Down" knowledge.
You can read that interview here: https://www.hearthkeeper.org/personal...
I truly enjoyed this book, cried, marked all over in it. You can't get more boots-on-the-ground than hearing from the men themselves. I highly recommend this book if you have an interest in this military event. It's very approachable and engaging.
It's been in my TBR pile since then, but recently I had the privilege of talking to Casey Jones' mother. In preparation for writing an article about her, I grab this book to review and refresh my "Black Hawk Down" knowledge.
You can read that interview here: https://www.hearthkeeper.org/personal...
I truly enjoyed this book, cried, marked all over in it. You can't get more boots-on-the-ground than hearing from the men themselves. I highly recommend this book if you have an interest in this military event. It's very approachable and engaging.
June 5, 2024
THE TESTIMONIES OF SIX PARTICIPANTS IN THE OPERATION
The Introduction to this 2004 book states, “This book is an anthology of firsthand accounts from six men who saw combat on October 3 from six very different vantage points. But while each chapter represents the individual’s perspective only, each and every man acted for his buddy, his team, and the task force. The Special Operations community… is without exception about teamwork… The pages that follow allow us to tell the stories of brave men who might not have been mentioned in other works… It is … our hope that the stories contained herein will prove useful to future soldiers by way of lessons learned the hard way. And in the end… these stories tell of what America’s soldiers accomplished in the face of the most dire circumstances.”
Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann cited Isaiah 6:8, “‘Here I am, Lord, send me.’ What could possibly be more meaningful to a young soldier in preparation for a real-world mission? Selfless service, a calling to a cause greater than oneself. It was inspiring to think about joining the noble ranks of the warriors who had made the journey before me.” (Pg. 7)
He recalls, “I realized that we had come to a stop… sitting in a stationary helicopter at seventy feet above the ground wasn’t the best place to be. We couldn’t have given the Somalis a better target.” (Pg. 13) Later, he adds, “The Somalis would run from the corner of a building to the car, fire at us, then dart across the street to the other side and fire some more. They seemed to love this daring game of chicken.” (Pg. 19)
He notes, “I thought surely the Somalis would stay away from our perimeter… But they wouldn’t stop, not on this day. It was shoot-an-American day, and they were all ready to participate. I think my feelings of sheer incredulity were as powerful as the personal fear I had inside. It was unbelievable to me that so many people would willingly walk down the street to join the fight.” (Pg. 20)
He jumped into a Humvee, and “Then I realized … that the Ranger I was talking to was dead. I was lying on one of our fallen comrades. It was another of those sick doses of reality that we all would experience that day.” (Pg. 28)
He recounts, “I was talking to some of the Air Force combat controllers who had been on the convoy, and I mentioned the lone Somali walking down the street during the fight. Someone … said that he’d been going to take the shot but didn’t because he couldn’t see a weapon… I thought that spoke volumes about the professionalism of the task force. We were warriors and we were fighting for our lives, but we lived by a creed and were guided by an ethic that set us apart from those we fought.” (Pg. 37)
Sergeant Raleigh Cash states, “After every mission we’d go turn on CNN and watch… the first thing I saw was a dead body being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. All the guys… just got up and walked back to their bunks. I thought it was tasteless that the media would show a dead body being dragged through the streets. Everything changed once we saw that video. We all took it very personally.” (Pg. 60-61)
Radio/telephone operator Mike Kurth reports, “Enrico screamed out that he had been hit… I went over to Enrico and knelt beside his left side… He asked me how bad it was… I told Enrico to hang in there and we would all be getting out soon, even though under the circumstances I had no idea when that might be. How in the hell did we get ourselves in a situation where we have to wait for the QRF to get us out?” (Pg. 83-84)
He adds, “I remember feeling a weird sense of acceptance, as though I’d known there was absolutely nothing that could be done… if we were going to have to fight our way out, I was going to need that feeling… I did not want to die, but I could face the possibility, and there was nothing to be done about it. Same as before: just do the job. It wasn’t a new thought, but then again we had a lot of time on our hands to think about a lot of things.” (Pg. 104-105)
Later, he says, “as we watched the TV we saw those dreaded pictures of our task force men being dragged all over the street. I was livid. I couldn’t believe they were doing that to American soldiers! No soldier should be desecrated like that. Seeing that got me in the right frame of mind again. I wasn’t scared to go out there anymore… If the Somalis wanted to act like barbarians, well, then they’d get treated like barbarians… That was the only thing that was keeping me going at that point… Seeing those images on TV changed everything. Come to think about it, the mission changed everything, for everyone.” (Pg. 118-119)
Sergeant John Belman acknowledges, “With hindsight, our tactics were inappropriate for the environment we were in, given the amount of fire that the enemy could bring to bear and the level of coordination that they were capable of. Using Black Hawks to provide sniper cover was a bad tactic. The risk of these birds being shot down was simply too great.” (Pg. 123)
He argues, “the reality was that Task Force Ranger… was among America’s finest fighting units and was dealt a major blow. The problem was not that we didn’t know what we would be facing. The problem was that we didn’t have sufficient force to deal with it. We should have had tanks and armored personnel carriers. We should have been prepared to use the right force at the right time, and our country should have made sure that the target was worth it.” (Pg. 139)
Pararescueman Tim Wilkinson observes, “All of the illusions of combat and any notion of glory have been dispelled. The reality of war and combat is that it is pure violence and graphic brutality. It is ugly and painful. These days I have a much greater appreciation for the sacrifices of those who have gone before me. We had a bad day or two, but think of those who went through World War II and moved from theater to theater. They were fighting for the duration.” (Pg. 175)
USAF staff sergeant Dan Schilling suggests, “At the time it was just another deployment. Yet, like to many things, something much grander---U.S. foreign policy---became eclipsed by something smaller, in this case the Battle of Mogadishu. In the ten years following the operation in Somalia, U.S. foreign policy has been almost completely driven by that single event.” (Pg. 179)
This is a harrowing but very powerful book, that will be “must reading” for anyone wanting to know more about the Battle of Mogadishu, and related events.
The Introduction to this 2004 book states, “This book is an anthology of firsthand accounts from six men who saw combat on October 3 from six very different vantage points. But while each chapter represents the individual’s perspective only, each and every man acted for his buddy, his team, and the task force. The Special Operations community… is without exception about teamwork… The pages that follow allow us to tell the stories of brave men who might not have been mentioned in other works… It is … our hope that the stories contained herein will prove useful to future soldiers by way of lessons learned the hard way. And in the end… these stories tell of what America’s soldiers accomplished in the face of the most dire circumstances.”
Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann cited Isaiah 6:8, “‘Here I am, Lord, send me.’ What could possibly be more meaningful to a young soldier in preparation for a real-world mission? Selfless service, a calling to a cause greater than oneself. It was inspiring to think about joining the noble ranks of the warriors who had made the journey before me.” (Pg. 7)
He recalls, “I realized that we had come to a stop… sitting in a stationary helicopter at seventy feet above the ground wasn’t the best place to be. We couldn’t have given the Somalis a better target.” (Pg. 13) Later, he adds, “The Somalis would run from the corner of a building to the car, fire at us, then dart across the street to the other side and fire some more. They seemed to love this daring game of chicken.” (Pg. 19)
He notes, “I thought surely the Somalis would stay away from our perimeter… But they wouldn’t stop, not on this day. It was shoot-an-American day, and they were all ready to participate. I think my feelings of sheer incredulity were as powerful as the personal fear I had inside. It was unbelievable to me that so many people would willingly walk down the street to join the fight.” (Pg. 20)
He jumped into a Humvee, and “Then I realized … that the Ranger I was talking to was dead. I was lying on one of our fallen comrades. It was another of those sick doses of reality that we all would experience that day.” (Pg. 28)
He recounts, “I was talking to some of the Air Force combat controllers who had been on the convoy, and I mentioned the lone Somali walking down the street during the fight. Someone … said that he’d been going to take the shot but didn’t because he couldn’t see a weapon… I thought that spoke volumes about the professionalism of the task force. We were warriors and we were fighting for our lives, but we lived by a creed and were guided by an ethic that set us apart from those we fought.” (Pg. 37)
Sergeant Raleigh Cash states, “After every mission we’d go turn on CNN and watch… the first thing I saw was a dead body being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. All the guys… just got up and walked back to their bunks. I thought it was tasteless that the media would show a dead body being dragged through the streets. Everything changed once we saw that video. We all took it very personally.” (Pg. 60-61)
Radio/telephone operator Mike Kurth reports, “Enrico screamed out that he had been hit… I went over to Enrico and knelt beside his left side… He asked me how bad it was… I told Enrico to hang in there and we would all be getting out soon, even though under the circumstances I had no idea when that might be. How in the hell did we get ourselves in a situation where we have to wait for the QRF to get us out?” (Pg. 83-84)
He adds, “I remember feeling a weird sense of acceptance, as though I’d known there was absolutely nothing that could be done… if we were going to have to fight our way out, I was going to need that feeling… I did not want to die, but I could face the possibility, and there was nothing to be done about it. Same as before: just do the job. It wasn’t a new thought, but then again we had a lot of time on our hands to think about a lot of things.” (Pg. 104-105)
Later, he says, “as we watched the TV we saw those dreaded pictures of our task force men being dragged all over the street. I was livid. I couldn’t believe they were doing that to American soldiers! No soldier should be desecrated like that. Seeing that got me in the right frame of mind again. I wasn’t scared to go out there anymore… If the Somalis wanted to act like barbarians, well, then they’d get treated like barbarians… That was the only thing that was keeping me going at that point… Seeing those images on TV changed everything. Come to think about it, the mission changed everything, for everyone.” (Pg. 118-119)
Sergeant John Belman acknowledges, “With hindsight, our tactics were inappropriate for the environment we were in, given the amount of fire that the enemy could bring to bear and the level of coordination that they were capable of. Using Black Hawks to provide sniper cover was a bad tactic. The risk of these birds being shot down was simply too great.” (Pg. 123)
He argues, “the reality was that Task Force Ranger… was among America’s finest fighting units and was dealt a major blow. The problem was not that we didn’t know what we would be facing. The problem was that we didn’t have sufficient force to deal with it. We should have had tanks and armored personnel carriers. We should have been prepared to use the right force at the right time, and our country should have made sure that the target was worth it.” (Pg. 139)
Pararescueman Tim Wilkinson observes, “All of the illusions of combat and any notion of glory have been dispelled. The reality of war and combat is that it is pure violence and graphic brutality. It is ugly and painful. These days I have a much greater appreciation for the sacrifices of those who have gone before me. We had a bad day or two, but think of those who went through World War II and moved from theater to theater. They were fighting for the duration.” (Pg. 175)
USAF staff sergeant Dan Schilling suggests, “At the time it was just another deployment. Yet, like to many things, something much grander---U.S. foreign policy---became eclipsed by something smaller, in this case the Battle of Mogadishu. In the ten years following the operation in Somalia, U.S. foreign policy has been almost completely driven by that single event.” (Pg. 179)
This is a harrowing but very powerful book, that will be “must reading” for anyone wanting to know more about the Battle of Mogadishu, and related events.
May 1, 2013
I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, with the 82nd Airborne Division when this battle occurred. What shocked me at the time was how little we were told about it other than what we saw on TV. There was never any “lessons learned” that came out of it that made it down to the sergeant level. So, when Blackhawk Down was published I bought it immediately and read it in a week. I had already left the Army after eight years in the infantry because I realized that the Army was floundering. I remember wishing that I had this book to drive home some of the lessons I get trying to drive home with my own troops in that you hope for the best, plan for the worst.
The Battle of Mogadishu is an excellent book to read after Blackhawk Down. While BHD gives the reader the big picture of the battle, BoM drives it home with the personal narratives of those involved. This was their thoughts, feelings and reactions to an event that the US military never thought could happen. It drives home the idea that a unit doesn’t fight I battle for the greater glory of some idea or a flag. When the bullets start flying it’s the man to your left and right that matters.
This is that firsthand account of those men that not only volunteered for the military but took it a step further to Special Operations.
The Battle of Mogadishu is an excellent book to read after Blackhawk Down. While BHD gives the reader the big picture of the battle, BoM drives it home with the personal narratives of those involved. This was their thoughts, feelings and reactions to an event that the US military never thought could happen. It drives home the idea that a unit doesn’t fight I battle for the greater glory of some idea or a flag. When the bullets start flying it’s the man to your left and right that matters.
This is that firsthand account of those men that not only volunteered for the military but took it a step further to Special Operations.
March 15, 2019
Amazing book shows the different views of what was happening really taking into account there views and feelings so glad someone recommended this to me. A tragic event that seems to be forgotten in history hopefully the works here and by black hawk down will make us remember the sacrifices made
February 18, 2022
If you're a fan of the book "Black Hawk Down" or even the movie, if you're a fan of other military non-fiction, if you're a fan of Michael Durant's "In The Company of Heroes," then you'll certainly enjoy this book. I personally am very interested in the Battle of Mogadishu which led to two Black Hawks being shot down, and if you're interested in that as well, then you'll enjoy this book.
This book offers several perspectives on the battle; you'll be welcomed to six different perspectives on the battle. You'll get two accounts of the Rangers who were tasked with setting up a parameter, you'll get the perspective of a soldier part of the rescue convoy, you'll get the perspective of an Air Force Pararescueman who was flying in a Black Hawk over the city, you'll get the perspect of an Army Ranger Medic who was on the same Black Hawk with the Airforce PJ, and last but not least you'll get to read the account from an Air Force Combat Controller who was part of the original convoy sent to exfil, who was also one of the men who went back out into battle after making it back to the Hangar.
This book offers several perspectives on the battle; you'll be welcomed to six different perspectives on the battle. You'll get two accounts of the Rangers who were tasked with setting up a parameter, you'll get the perspective of a soldier part of the rescue convoy, you'll get the perspective of an Air Force Pararescueman who was flying in a Black Hawk over the city, you'll get the perspect of an Army Ranger Medic who was on the same Black Hawk with the Airforce PJ, and last but not least you'll get to read the account from an Air Force Combat Controller who was part of the original convoy sent to exfil, who was also one of the men who went back out into battle after making it back to the Hangar.
November 17, 2023
Firsthand accounts of task force ranger…. Wonderfully written and perfectly put, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and am amazed at the courage and bravery of the men who got out and the heroes who died.
April 3, 2025
This may sound redundant but if you loved Black Hawk Down, you're going to enjoy The Battle of Mogadishu. All 6 stories give unique perspectives on what when down on that harrowing day. A brutal battle and each depiction provides insight on their role during those excruciating 36 hours.
December 29, 2019
Excellent companion book to Bowden's Black Hawk Down. Six combat vets of Operation Gothic Serpent recount in their own words what they saw, did, and felt. Simply put, excellent.
January 2, 2024
Short perspectives of a complex and painful event experienced by countless individuals. No glory or granduer, just truth.
January 1, 2025
The book covers several different soldiers all sharing the experience from their own perspective. It’s hauntingly good
November 25, 2025
Outlandish and aggrandizing. Reads more like American propaganda than an accurate representation of events.
November 26, 2025
Great Read
Great read. Very engaging. I would recommend for those interested in spec ops and battle of Mogadishu. Dan Shilling writes great books.
Great read. Very engaging. I would recommend for those interested in spec ops and battle of Mogadishu. Dan Shilling writes great books.
December 21, 2022
A fantastic, informative, harrowing read.
I was a bit disappointed at the end, though. All of the stories had showed a very human side to the soldiers caught in this horrific situation. Dan Schilling, however, comes across as a rabid psychopath with an oversized ego. He was the most long-winded, and consistently interspersed his retelling with over-the-top cool movie-esque details. Did you really grin at a Navy SEAL three times? He had the most dehumanizing views of the Somalis out of anyone, though, they all tended to describe the militants as "thugs" -- fair enough. He was pretty explicit in his uncaring attitude toward even his own allies, frequently talking as though he was above them, saying he literally "didn't know and didn't care" about where the 19 year old Ranger he rode with was. Couldn't even bother to remember his name despite making a big hullabaloo about this kid giving him his name. Not to mention his obsession with kill count!
I get it. It's war. Kill the other guy before he kills you. To cope you need to dehumanize and rationalize. I couldn't even fathom what it's like -- that's true. Maybe you need to be that type of person. Regardless, I found his account comparatively embellished to the rest, and it left a bad taste in my mouth.
I was a bit disappointed at the end, though. All of the stories had showed a very human side to the soldiers caught in this horrific situation. Dan Schilling, however, comes across as a rabid psychopath with an oversized ego. He was the most long-winded, and consistently interspersed his retelling with over-the-top cool movie-esque details. Did you really grin at a Navy SEAL three times? He had the most dehumanizing views of the Somalis out of anyone, though, they all tended to describe the militants as "thugs" -- fair enough. He was pretty explicit in his uncaring attitude toward even his own allies, frequently talking as though he was above them, saying he literally "didn't know and didn't care" about where the 19 year old Ranger he rode with was. Couldn't even bother to remember his name despite making a big hullabaloo about this kid giving him his name. Not to mention his obsession with kill count!
I get it. It's war. Kill the other guy before he kills you. To cope you need to dehumanize and rationalize. I couldn't even fathom what it's like -- that's true. Maybe you need to be that type of person. Regardless, I found his account comparatively embellished to the rest, and it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Read
January 19, 2009 This book is about the Task forces rangers in the gulf war. This tells the story first hand about the experences that those men face in the battle of Mogadishu. The mission that the book talks about the popular movie "Blackhawk Down".
There are many people in this book. Like Matt Eversmann and Dan Schilling. Which are the other of this book. They served during this period of time of Battle of Mogadishu. The mood of this book is sometimes sad becauses Matt and Dan's Friends die on this mission. But then its happy and joyful because they get out safe. The theme of this book is war. A person who would like this book would be a person who likes to read about past war history of the United Staes. Also for people who like action and non-fiction books. This has non stop action. It feels like you are there with them on the mission.
There are many people in this book. Like Matt Eversmann and Dan Schilling. Which are the other of this book. They served during this period of time of Battle of Mogadishu. The mood of this book is sometimes sad becauses Matt and Dan's Friends die on this mission. But then its happy and joyful because they get out safe. The theme of this book is war. A person who would like this book would be a person who likes to read about past war history of the United Staes. Also for people who like action and non-fiction books. This has non stop action. It feels like you are there with them on the mission.
July 19, 2016
This actually gives you a first hand account of the war in Somalia. I mean, i know Bowden's story did, but this was written by the soldiers who actually were there. I believe that this book is an amazing story of the war, the soldiers' personal lives and how they responded to crazy events. For instance, when Sgt. Eversmann had seen Blackburn fall from the black hawk after an RPG almost hit them, he had panicked, his first time leading a chalk and he already had a possible K.I.A. He also panicked when calling for help from Steele and he had told him to calm down, only then did he realise he was acting like a crazy idiot.
Overall a great read.
You men are a inspiration to everyone.
Sincerely,
A 15 year old girl, soon to be in the Marines, i hope. :)
Overall a great read.
You men are a inspiration to everyone.
Sincerely,
A 15 year old girl, soon to be in the Marines, i hope. :)
April 11, 2013
Really interesting to read different perspectives on this battle. These personal narratives answered some questions left by the book "Black Hawk Down." Not as cohesive as the Mark Bowden version but filled in a lot of holes. I liked Dan Schillings account the best mainly because it explained the convoy issues and experiences very well. I think for many people it seems to be the most confusing aspect of the entire event and probably generates the most questions. For me the convoy has always been my second biggest curiosity.
March 31, 2013
The men that served in The Battle of Mogadishu went to hell and back in a twenty four hour window. Their first hand accounts as stand alone pieces are poignant and hard hitting. As a compilation the book could have been stronger if it had included pieces from multiple chalks, CSAR, and Delta Force.
Four Stars: Eye opening accounts of the Battle of Mogadishu. Stronger diversity among the pieces could have made this book a five star read.
Four Stars: Eye opening accounts of the Battle of Mogadishu. Stronger diversity among the pieces could have made this book a five star read.
October 12, 2017
This was a great read - read and was amazed by Bowden's Blackhawk Down, this was a great look into the individual experiences of a number of soldiers and airmen involved in the battle. Reading these accounts really brings to life the chaos of a pitched battle, and how tough it is to make difficult decisions under extreme pressure with no right course of action or particularly good alternatives. Am thinking about reading Blackhawk Down again after reading these accounts.
December 5, 2016
My signed copy remains on the desk as a reminder of having a "bad day". The co-author, Dan Schilling, became a friend in the years following this horrific battle. His perspectives and insights are at once intriguing and frightening. Really good book for those that might find themselves in close quarters fighting. Well done.
January 8, 2009
I found many aspects of this book interesting, especially in regards to technology and modern military strategy. However, the authors weren't very good writers and their "style", kind of wore me down.
January 4, 2018
A very candid real account of what happened in Mogadishu. Because the movie Blackhawk Down is very stylized, there is a need for people to read what really happened and what it was like for people with first hand expetience.
August 29, 2008
This book was very good. It is interesting to hear about war through a real soldiers eyes. One of my faves!
August 23, 2010
As a collection of stories about that particular event, it achieved its purpose. As a cohesive historical documentary, it was less than successful.
December 13, 2010
Koch P; Hermann K Assault at Mogadishu Corgi 1977
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June 24, 2013Awesome!
September 5, 2018
Great book, read it.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews