He found his way to one of the bases that many of the men were stationed at and started talking to them and asking them questions about what it was like and if he could some how place himself in that type of situation, by just going into detail and getting every little bit he could out of it. He mainly went for the soldiers that were caught up in the fight and helpless to get the best story possible. His details were defined, definite, and astounding to the critics and too many of the readers. He made a true American incident be brought up read about and even became a film.
In order to get both sides of the story he traveled to Mogadishu. Being warned and told not to go because of the danger he got his stuff together and took Peter Tobia (a photographer) along with him. "I knew that it was kind of a dangerous thing to do," Bowden said of going to Somalia. "In fact, I had spoken to the State Department and they had advised me very directly not to go." One brief thing he said showing he was dedicated to making this book the best that he could possibly do. Once he landed one of the leaders of the clan did not approve of him or his reasons for being there. They were asked to leave but refused to go and stayed in one of the Hotels, being there only guests and not feeling the safety that they thought they would get since Washington made contact with them. Since Somalia had no government they could do what they pleased. The man that ran the hotel filled them in on hiring there own security and that would protect them from the Habr Gidr leaders. Taking the mans advice it worked for him, but he was still uneasy if they would still be bothered. He stayed 7 days until he had no money left to spend, or as he mainly got around was Khat.
Back in the States he learned about how the citizens had fought so violently and turned completely against the soldiers. He came to find out that Mohamed Farrah Aidid was so determined to run the soldiers out. He wanted to rule Somalia, believing it was his reason to be here. The “harmless” citizens turned there backs on the United States because they felt that the soldiers were harsh and intrusive on finding Aidid. The people only wanted peace and expected to be treated decently like when the soldiers would drop off the food, clothes, etc... Instead that day wasn’t the same. Bowden finally got his views on each side of the story and could finish writing the book that he’d worked so hard for.