Inventory of the Mark Bowden Papers, 1972-2004

Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University

Bowden, Mark, 1951-

Mark Bowden Papers, 1972-2004

Material in English

11.4 Linear Feet

7125 Items

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.

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Electronic files are present in this collection; please consult with a reference archivist for access to these materials.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.

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 Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.

[Identification of item], Mark Bowden Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.

The Mark Bowden Papers were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a gift in 2006.

Processed by Ted Holt, Oct. 2009

Encoded by Ted Holt, Oct. 2009

Accession 2006-0082 is described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

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.

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.