WILMINGTON, NC, August 25, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Author Steve Snyder has announced that 'Shot Down' has received a Silver Medal for Military Nonfiction in the 2016 Global Ebook Awards. This is the 20th award for the book.
Snyder's father Howard was a B-17 pilot who was shot down while flying the Susan Ruth (named after his daughter) while flying over the French/Belgium border. The mission set out to bomb Frankfurt, Germany. The book covers the events leading up to and following that day. Of the 10 man crew, some died, some were captured and some, including Howard Snyder, evaded capture.
What makes Snyder's book book unique is the varied, detailed, and amazing stories of what happened to each crew member. Howard Snyder 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. Steve Snyder has gone to the extreme to capture the details that make 'Shot Down' a one-of-a-kind dramatic presentation, told by a writer who was in the very middle of the story as it happened.
Snyder completed a recent European tour to film locations in Belgium where the events in the book took place and to interview local people about these events. He traveled to Munich, Germany to film an interview with Hans Berger, the German Luftwaffe pilot who shot down his father's bomber. Michael Palmer of RacefanTV accompanied him as Director of Photography. The film is currently in production.
In addition to the Global Ebook Award, 'Shot Down' has received nineteen other high profile awards. These include:
2016 National Indie Excellence Awards - Winner - History - US
2016 National Indie Excellence Awards - Winner - Military Non-Fiction
2016 Beverly Hills Book Awards - Winner Non-Fiction Military
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
Steve Snyder travels the country to speak and to share his book and stories with the public. Upcoming events include:
September 15-17 - 306th Bomb Group Historical Association Reunion - Fairborn, Ohio
September 18 - National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Patterson AFB, Ohio
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 [email protected]. '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 More information is available at his website at http://www.stevesnyderauthor.com.
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.
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