Perspective

Mark Bowden (1951-) is an American author and journalist. Bowden is best known for his book "Black Hawk Down," which was also adapted for film.

Bowden serves as an adjunct professor of journalism and creative writing at Loyola College and has also worked as a freelance writer for some of the top magazines in the US, including The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone.

Bowden first gained recognition for "Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War," and as a result was a finalist in the race for the 1999 National Book Award. "Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw" also received high praise and recognition. In 2001, Bowden received the Cornelius Ryan Award for Best Book from the Overseas Press Club.

Bowden is also known for the 2002 work "Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam." Bowden's latest book, published in...