Mogadishu!: Heroism and Tragedy

This book did a good job of getting perspectives from all units involved in the Battle. As a soldier from the 10th Mountain Division it's good to not be just a footnote in the history of that night. Mark Bowden did a good job with Black Hawk Down, but his perspective of things came only from the Speacial Forces Units involved that night. All units involved that night had one hell of a fight.

Very easy to read and actually quite amazing. Most people don't know what happened with these guys and this book did a great job telling the story in a very readable way. Both, my son and I enjoyed this book very much and are awed by the sacrifice of these brave soldiers.

I am speaking about this book from a rather unique perspective. My name is SGT Ken Surratt and as a PFC I was part of the Quick Reaction Force stationed in Mogadishu. HHC, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division.There are countless individual stories from that night. This book does an astounding job in summing up the events of those two days. Of course I'll never forget PFC Martin, from A. Co. 2-14. We went through basic together and he hung out with my room mate SPC Terrell...A great book...

To truly be able to review a book about an actual event being there is the best way to know if the events described are fact or fiction. The description of what happened with the QRF is not entirely true. If it would have been possible for us to reach the downed choppers any quicker then we would have. The events described do not denote that fact at all, but to say the book is entirely fictional is untrue. It has been said the QRF was not on time because we were not trained for the mission. This could have all been alleviated by placing the QRF at the airport when the mission went out. To answer the waiting question of why these young men died and gave their lives on that day is simple: because of the pride of those who thought we need no help. We are the elite. A simple back up plan could have saved some; maybe not all, but to guys like CPL. Smith it would have made all the difference in the world.