Customer Reviews

The Bomber Boys: True Stories of B-17 Airmen

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The Bomber Boys (True Stories of B-17 Airmen) by Travis L. Ayers is a highly readable collection of vividly rendered stories. Each of Ayers' subjects was thoroughly researched; much of the information is actual, first-hand accounting of the events described. You don't have to be a World War II enthusiast to enjoy this book, or to be moved by it. The young crewmen who manned the B-17's were American kids from every concievable background; their survival depended on their unity, as well as a great deal of blind luck. Even taken as fiction, these are wonderful stories. But they are not fiction. They are absolutely, 100% true, amazing, and fascinating.

THIS BOOK WAS GREAT. IT GIVES YOU SOME REALLY WONDERFUL FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS OF ESCAPE FROM BEHIND ENEMY LINES,WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO CRASH LAND, AND JUST LIVING THROUGH A MISSION. THIS BOOK IS AN EASY READ AND YOU CAN PROBABLY FINISH IT IN A DAY OR SO. DEFINETLY BUY THIS ONE THOUGH.

This is a wonderful book that documents five separate stories of
B-17 "Bomber boys" from WWII.

Two of these stories, one an amazing story of survival and the other about evading capture behind enemy lines, are perhaps the most interesting stories of individual exploits I have ever read. Not just from the war, but period.

This book is a great read and a precious documentation of World War II sacrifice and heroism. The author is to be commended for capturing and publishing these stories while there is still time.

I'm a big fan of WW II! And this book told great stories of the airmen that fought the war up in the skies!

Which is more frightening? Flying over enemy skies at night or doing the same thing in broad daylight? This book gives an insight to what the American airmen endured in their B-17s and B-24s. The stories need to be read to appreciate how incredable they were. These young men never considered themselves as heros. Just guys doing their jobs. The real heros are those young men who paid the price for our freedom and never went home, except as a memory for their loved ones to hold onto. A few of those airmen survived the hells of their war. Though a lot did not, just like our young RAF night Bomber crews. For the stories within this book are easy to visualise and can sort of be "experianced" on every page as one flicks the pages over. As the pages demonstrate the true facts of heroism, dedication and bravery. You would enjoy reading this book and be amazed at how some of these stories ever came about. For they are the words of very brave men who endured a lot to survive to tell their tales. Unfortunatly, there are countless stories that will never be told. Simply because they have gone to the graves with those brave young soles. Which is why we must savour the stories in this book, and others, and at least hold onto these stories for which we are vey lucky to be able to read at least. A good read folks, and well worth a purchase.

I read Mr. Ayres book as my father-in-law was featured in it. Despite my obvious bias I thought it was an amazing chronicle of true grit and heroism (especially, when you consider the age of these "men" at the time). The devotion that they showed toward defending democracy is truly amazing. They are true-to-life heros who "risked it all" and Mr. Ayres did a tremendous job of documenting their lives. If you have a son or daughter that has expressed a desire to join the military or, trying to educate and inspire a wayward youth to be a real man, this is the book for you!