In the Battle of Mogadishu, the MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter code-named Super Six-Four that Durant was piloting was shot down over Somalia by a rocket-propelled grenade on October 3, 1993, and he was attacked by a mob and had to fight for his life.

MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart volunteered to try to protect the pilot from the mob; while Durant was severely injured, he survived, but Gordon and Shughart did not, and were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery.

The introduction is written by Mark Bowden, author of the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.

Durant was portrayed by Ron Eldard in the film Black Hawk Down, based on Bowden's book.

Publishers Weekly reviewed it as a good look into war, and engaging, though lacking in introspection and sometimes off-topic.