Instant Review: Black Hawk Down

Mark Bowden's bestselling nonfiction work is one of the excellent books I've purchased with gift certificates recently. It was quite an enjoyable read, and captivated me for seven straight hours on Saturday.

Many of you are familiar with the film of the same title, which I saw last year. The film was good, the book is great. The film left me quite confused, and while there is value in portraying war the way it feels (confusing) that can be done much more effectively a la The Red Badge of Courage (which Amazon advertises used at $0.01). Anyway, the book really gives a picture of everything that happened, and the author did admirable research to make it an authoritative account.

Instant Replay recommends Black Hawk Down for anyone with interest in military history or the role of the U.S. in international peacebuilding operations. Or anyone who likes to read about people losing body parts all willy-nilly.