In the Company of Heroes

The True Story of Black Hawk Pilot Michael Durant and the Men Who Fought and Fell at Mogadishu

By: Michael Durant, Steven Hartov

Narrated by: Michael Durant

Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

"Ranger, Ranger, you die Somalia!" shouted the enraged Somali voices surrounding Blackhawk helicopter pilot Michael J. Durant, his bird shot down by a well-placed rocket-propelled grenade. With his devastating injuries, Durant would be lucky to survive the night.

"Mike Durant...Mike Durant..." came the disembodied voice floating above the war-torn streets of Mogadishu, mixed in with the steady drone of a large U.S. Army helicopter. "Mike Durant...We will not leave without you!"

Piloting a U.S. Army Special Operations Blackhawk, Durant was shot down and captured on October 3, 1993, in the battle depicted in Mark Bowden's best-selling book Black Hawk Down. Durant became a prisoner of Somali warlord Mohammed Aidid -- the man responsible for prolonging starvation in his country by hijacking United Nations food shipments. U.S. policy makers had determined that capturing Aidid was the only way to restore order. The simple snatch-and-grab plan, named Operation Gothic Serpent, turned into the biggest U.S. Firefight since the Vietnam War.

Durant's experience as a prisoner in Somalia grew increasingly bizarre, crystallizing a clash of cultures by turns frightening, melancholy, hilarious, and strangely familiar. Revealing never-before-told stories with the incisive thought and emotion of one who was there, In the Company of Heroes is one man's unforgettable, true story of going to hell and making it back alive.

©2003 Simon & schuster (P)2003 Michael J. Durant

Great Story of Heroism

After a long time, I decided to watch the movie Black Hawk Down and the history of it peaked my interest. When I discovered that Michael Durant wrote a book about his capture and narrated it, I purchased the book immediately. His narration was a little dry but it's to be expected from a military vet sharing his vivid experience. He talked alot about his time in captivity and how he felt through it all. The book made me tear up a few times as it displayed his strength and agility through it all. He showed so much emotion towards his fallen comrades and his appreciation towards the ones that fought for his safety. The only part about the book that I didn't like was the music that was played every 20 minutes or so. It was very old school and not necessary. Overall great story and I highly recommend to anyone!

Great story; didn't realize it is abridged

For those who have read "Black Hawk Down" by Mark Bowden or seen the movie of the same name, this tale is the first-person story of Michael Durant, the pilot of Super Six-Four, one of the Black Hawk helicopters shot down over Mogadishu during Operation Gothic Serpent in October 1993. It is also read by Michael Durant which really adds depth and suspense to the story.

Only the first chapter (of 5) deals with the battle itself as that chapter ends with Durant's capture. The rest is about his time in captivity (11 days) until he was released. It is all riveting. Near the end of the book, when the wife of one of the fallen Delta Force operators who came down to Durant's helicopter to try to rescue him and his crew, knowing they were likely going to their death, writes a letter to Durant and Durant reads that letter, the emotional impact of the ordeal really got to me.

My only complaint is that this is an abridged version. As a rule, I don't usually read/listen to abridged versions. I have read the unabridged version of Les Miserables! I don't know what is missing in this version versus an unabridged version so I can't compare the two. But it seems like this story is complete - I don't know what extra length would have added. Still, if it was good enough to put in print, why not in audiobook format?

I give it four stars.

A brave man's story

I. like many people my age I think, likely only remember Mr. Durant's name because of the film Black Hawk Down. But I am glad to have come across this content, his own retelling of events and providing details I never would have known otherwise was a genuinely appreciated experience.

Shorter but excellent

I have been waiting for a book to come along and grab me like this one did finished it in one day. Nice work, Mr. Durant.

Determination and grit in the face of hopelessness

It is difficult to imagine the courage and fortitude shown by Michael Durant to survive such an ordeal. Truly a testament to the caliber of those who make our freedom a personal priority so that the vast majority of us can live without fear.

just wow

Absolutely riveting. You may have seen the movie but it's not the real story. Very much appreciated that He narrates himself

Great Book!

As a fellow army helicopter pilot. This book is uplifting and tells the untold story of the American hero’s that gave everything during the early October battle. Michael Durant is an inspiration to many in my profession and this book embodies the true core values that Durant and many like him possess.

You've heard his story before, but not like this..

If you have any interest at all in spec-ops stuff, modern military history, military campaigns in general, etc, you should give this a listen. Michael's story is a fascinating story of the worst misery and yet eventual personal triumph. Mike Durant suffered unspeakable agony as a result of his injuries and subsequent treatment after his capture. His comrade soldiers did everything they could to find him, and he could hear them flying past, just outside. This book gives a daily diary of the experience he endured. It is a sobering story of what can happen to just one man even though he is a member of the world's greatest military force. But it's not just a war-story - it's the story of a man's inner strength and courage in the midst of what I would consider a terrifying experience. You'll probably never meet Mike Durant and be able to thank him for his service to our country, but you can give a listen to his story and appreciate what he's done, and what he had to suffer through. Thank you Mr. Durant.

An integral part of knowing 10/3/93 and after

I have been reading about the battles 10/3/93-10/4/93 for many years. Mike Durant's experiences, his treatment, and what he personally witnessed his comrades do are often a sidebar. To understand the whole picture, this is a must-read. Being read by Durant himself makes it all the better. For further reading, including many facts previously unknown, left out of other books, or just flat out wrong in other writings, I highly encourage the reading of "Day of the Rangers, the battle of Mogadishu 25 years on". It's the best and most comprehensive book on this event, IMO. RLTW! N.S.D.Q.

outstanding story!

this is my 3rd time reading/ listening this novel it's amazing, feel like your there!