Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War first published in 1999, is a riveting and harrowing account of the Battle of Mogadishu, which took place in Somalia in October 1993. This book was written by Mark Bowden, in it he brings to life the chaos, confusion, heroism and tragedy that occurred during this intense battle.

The story begins with the U.S. Army's mission to capture two top lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohammed Farrah Aidid. The American forces deployed into Mogadishu consisted mostly of elite soldiers from Delta Force and Rangers who were incredibly well-trained and experienced combatants. Bowden does an excellent job in detailing the strategy behind their mission as well as describing each man's individual contributions to its success or failure.

But what starts out as a seemingly simple mission quickly turns into an intense urban combat situation with incredibly high stakes - eighteen American servicemen would lose their lives while 73 more were wounded in action. Through his detailed descriptions it's easy to understand why - due to the combination of devastatingly accurate close-quarters firefights, hazardous terrain and a never-ending swarm of Aidid loyalists, these soldiers found themselves in one of their toughest engagements ever encountered.

Bowden provides several themes throughout Black Hawk Down that make it such an enduring classic among military nonfiction books. He successfully captures the sense of brotherhood between all units involved regardless of rank or race while highlighting how they relied on each other to overcome some very difficult challenges on the battlefield. He also portrays how heroes can be made even in times where victory seems impossible - such as when helicopter pilot Mike Durant was taken hostage despite putting up a valiant effort against overwhelming odds before being captured alive by Somali militants.

Black Hawk Down expertly conveys both the heroism and tragedy that took place during this chaotic battle for control over Mogadishu. Mark Bowden's meticulous research combined with his engaging narrative makes this book an absolute must read for anyone interested in learning about modern warfare or looking for an inspiring story about human courage under extreme duress. The 2001 movie "Blackhawk Down" makes a great supplement to this excellent work by Mark Bowden. Pilot Michael Durant's In the Company of Heroes: The Personal Story Behind Black Hawk Down is another great read and provides more context to Bowden's work. Both are highly recommended.