Military books and books about aviation are very popular with American readers. Seldom do we encounter a military book told from multiple perspectives however. While many of these military books are well researched, very few of them are written by people who can provide us with a view from inside the story, having been there when the story unfolded. Award winning author Steve Snyder has managed to give readers just that.
Steve Snyder’s father, Howard Snyder, was a B-17 pilot stationed in England during World War II. On February 8, 1944, his plane, the B-17 Susan Ruth (named after Snyder's daughter), was shot down over the French/Belgium border after a mission to bomb Frankfurt, Germany.
The book tells the true story of events leading up to and following that harrowing day. Of the ten man crew, some died, some ended up in prison camps, and some evaded capture. What makes this aviation book unique is the varied, detailed, and amazing story of what happened to each crew member, in particular Howard Snyder who evaded capture and was missing in action for seven months.
Readers are given the opportunity to read the letters and documents that were exchanged before and after the Susan Ruth was shot down. 'Shot Down' is filled with photos that enhance the presentation of these extraordinary WW II events that must never be forgotten.
"I wrote this book because the story of my father, his crew, and the many Belgian people who risked their lives to help them is so unique and so compelling that it just had to be told," Snyder stated. "Unlike other books about the air war in Europe that either tell about many crews or just one man's experience, 'Shot Down' focuses a crew of ten men while stationed in England, flying combat missions, being shot down, and their varied experiences on the ground afterwards. The entire story is written through first-hand testimony by the people who involved in the events that took place."
'Shot Down' has received numerous high profile awards:
2015 Books and Authors Book of the Year - Winner Non-Fiction Military
2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards - Winner Military
2015 International Book Awards - Winner History: General
2015 Readers' Favorite Book Awards - Gold Medal Winner Non-Fiction Historical
2015 Kindle Book Awards - Finalist Non-Fiction
2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards - Finalist Historical Non-fiction
2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards - Silver Medalist History (U.S.)
2015 Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year Awards - Outstanding Non-Fiction (General)
2015 Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year Awards - Second Place Winner
2015 NABE Spring Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards - Best Books Military
2015 Nonfiction Book Awards - Bronze Medal
2015 eLit Awards - Gold Medal History
2014 Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards - Finalist War & Military
2014 USA Best Book Awards - Finalist History: General
2014 USA Best Book Awards - Finalist History: Military
2014 Southern California Book Festival - Honorable Mention General Non-Fiction
Reviewers have praised 'Shot Down'. Publishers Weekly stated, "This is a great introduction to the history of the U.S. air war in Europe, humanized by the experience of a single bomber crew." The European Center of Military History said, "Steve Snyder has reached a level of scholarship few amateur historians achieve." Foreword Reviews called it a "masterful book." Midwest Book Review called it "An inherently fascinating and deftly written account."
Steve Snyder is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at steve@stevesnyderauthor.com. 'Shot Down' is available at Amazon and other book retailers. An in-depth interview with Snyder can be accessed at The Authors Show site. More information is available at his website at http://www.stevesnyderauthor.com.
About Steve Snyder:
Steve Snyder retired from VSP in 2009 after 36 years in national sales and sales management, He began his quest to know everything possible about the World War II experiences of his father, pilot Howard Snyder, and his crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth. Gradually, it became his passion and resulted in 'Shot Down'. He belongs to numerous World War II associations and is president of the 306th Bomb Group Historical Association.
Contact:
Steve Snyder
http://www.stevesnyderauthor.com
steve@stevesnyderauthor.com
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