Mark Bowden papers, 1972-2004

Navigate the Collection

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:
Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Bowden, Mark, 1951-
Abstract:
Author, journalist, screenwriter, and adjunct professor at Loyola College in Maryland. Papers contain research materials for Bowden's book about the Iran hostage crisis (1979-1981), published as Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam (NY: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006). Materials include interview transcripts with American hostages, Iranian hostage takers, and members of the United States military who were involved in the 1980 rescue attempt. Collection also contains many research files and clippings.
Extent:
11.4 Linear Feet
6 Gigabytes
7125 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00131

Background

Scope and content:

The Mark Bowden Papers span the dates 1972-2004, and contain research materials for Bowden's book about the Iran hostage crisis (1979-1981), published as Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam (NY: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006). Materials include transcripts of Bowden's interviews with many dozens of individuals, including American hostages, Iranian hostage takers, and members of the United States military who were involved in the 1980 rescue attempt. Also present in the collection are extensive bound notebooks of press clippings, and many research files. These files contain documents related to the U.S. government's role in the hostage crisis and its relations with Iran, as well as articles by other authors on Iran and the hostage crisis. Specific materials can be found on the CIA, the Department of Defense, and President Carter's administration.

Biographical / historical:

Chronology List
Date Event
1951 Born in St. Louis, Missouri
1973 Graduated from Loyola College of Maryland with a B.A. in English Literature
1979-2003 Worked as staff writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer
1987 Published Doctor Dealer: The Rise and Fall of an All-American Boy and His Multimillion-Dollar Cocaine Empire
1994 Bringing the Heat published
1999 Publication of Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War
2001 Published Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw
2002 Published Our Finest Day : D-Day, June 6, 1944
2002 Publication of Finders Keepers: The Story of a Man Who Found $1 Million
2006 Publication of Road Work : Among Tyrants, Heroes, Rogues, and Beasts
2006 Published Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam

Acquisition information:
The Mark Bowden Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2006.
Processing information:

Processed by Ted Holt, Oct. 2009

Encoded by Ted Holt, Oct. 2009

Description for electronic records added by [Matthew] Farrell, May 2024.

Accession 2006-0082 is described in this finding aid.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Hostages -- Iran
Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981 -- Chronology
Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981 -- Personal narratives
Names:
Bowden, Mark, 1951-
Places:
United States -- Foreign relations -- Iran
Iran -- Foreign relations -- United States
United States -- Armed Forces -- Search and rescue operations

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Mark Bowden Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University