ARA Review by evelynan of Shot Down

[evelynan]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Shot Down.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Shot Down
by Steve Snyder

Steve Snyder is the author of Shot Down, a true account of his father’s, Howard Snyder, experiences as a pilot in the Air Force during World War II. It is a true account of the experiences the author’s father had on his combat missions of the air. Mr. Snyder did his research by interacting with some of the relatives of the “Susan Ruth” air team. He also had raided the collection of his parents’ letters that were written during the time of the war. In the narrative form, the reader learns of procedures, practices, and protocols of the teams of flyers.

Every man on the 10-crew team had an assigned job he was trained to do. The Germans were tough to beat with their technological advances, so it was not an easy undertaking to prepare emotionally and physically, and be brave for the moment your unit is called up to served. After his B-17 was shot down, Snyder managed to stay alive. Some of his team didn’t make it, but that is to be expected. For seven months, Snyder was declared as MIA. Were it not for the good people in Belgium, his fate may not have turned out to be what it was. Many had risked their lives to keep this brave American man alive.

Shot Down is a tribute to the definition of courage, conviction, patriotism, and determination. Every war story is a story of its own. This crew of ten may have had their boots in the air instead of the ground, but they had the worst of chances of coming out of the air alive and in one piece. This is one of the things that a reader might appreciate. The wait between the air missions for these brave warriors might have been tedious, but the thoughts of what might be destined for them were not frivolous fears. These men went into it knowing the consequences for their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the good of mankind, not only for their nation but other nations as well.

A reader might think they won’t be learning anything new in the genre of war memoirs but might be surprised when reading this one. The author is free with details that help the reader understand what the airmen went through before, during, and after their missions. The bond of “brotherhood” is heartwarming. It was important to keep the crew together for the good of the teamwork. To lose any member was devastating because of love and friendship.

The account is well-written and free of any mishaps of grammar. The narration is well-organized and flows in a timely manner. As sad as war stories can be, this one is a winner for anyone wanting to hear of a true story of World War II heroes that flew on the “Susan Ruth,” only one of the many shot-down airships that lost its life in the war. How many of them could teach a story of a history that should never be forgotten? I give Shot Down Five Stars 5/5 for its excellence in relaying a true war story.

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