The Wrong Stuff

The Adventures and Misadventures of an 8th Air Force Aviator

By: Truman Smith

Narrated by: James Killavey

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Between April and July 1944, Truman Smith flew 35 bombing missions over France and Germany. He was only 20 years old. Although barely adults, Smith and his peers worried about cramming a lifetime's worth of experience into every free night, each knowing he probably would not survive the next bombing mission. Written with blunt honesty, wry humor, and insight, The Wrong Stuff is Smith's gripping memoir of that time. In a new preface, the author comments with equal honesty and humor on the impact this book has had on his life.

©1996 Truman and Margot Smith Trust (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"...the book proves that the nation's greatest resources are its young people, ready and willing to serve their country." ( St. Joseph (MO.) News-Press)

"If you thought gallantry and valor were the only stuff war is made of, think again. He makes one statement which is not understood by anyone who has not served in combat: 'In order to out-bad the bad guys, you've got to be badder than they are.'" ( Tulsa World)

Revelation

What did you love best about The Wrong Stuff?

Getting a first hand view of what actually happened.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wrong Stuff?

Their having to make a forced landing..and surviving.

What about James Killavey’s performance did you like?

He did an excellent job. Will be looking for more by him.

Any additional comments?

Never realized the extremely high morality rate and that, until late in the war. the missions were flown without fighter escorts! And how young they were..true American heroes.

Enthralling--A Unique WW2 Military Memoir

I've never read a WW2 memoir quite like this, at least by a pilot. Humor, pathos, irreverence, deep introspection--it's all here and often in the same paragraph, and sometimes almost in the same sentence. Smith includes several details we've often wondered about but other authors neglect, like just how one handles "nature's call" in a B-17 at thirty-thousand feet.

A wonderful book!

What made the experience of listening to The Wrong Stuff the most enjoyable?

This was a wonderful book about the European air war during WW II. It is, in turns, funny, tragic and terrifying. It is written from the perspective of a young twenty years old pilot and others like him. We should always be thankful for their courage and resolve. There will never be another generation like theirs.....God bless them every one.

What other book might you compare The Wrong Stuff to and why?

Unbroken only thing that comes close. Bravery under extreme adversity.

Have you listened to any of James Killavey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I have. I thought the reading was quite good, and while the majority of reviewers so far seem to agree with me, there are a few surprisingly nasty comments about him. I don’t know why. ..Haters? Personal taste? Ya got me. In any case, the way to find out if you will like the narration is simple…listen to the sample. The book is great and the reader, in my opinion does it justice. Don't let me or the few disgruntled ones decide for you..Listen to the sample and judge for yourself. That's what it's there for.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too long. Took me a few days.

Any additional comments?

I've been listening to audiobooks for many years. This is one of the best.

Excellent

What made the experience of listening to The Wrong Stuff the most enjoyable?

Well read and well written. Powerful first person account.

What does James Killavey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sounded like the author talking to me. Well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both in various places.

Sorry this book didnt make the cut for me.

Frankly I couldn't get into the book at all. I actually stopped 5 chapters in.
the Narrator was more like a sports announcer.
I wouldnt recommend this book unless maybe your a war and or plane buff.

One of the best memoirs of WW2 aviation

I was hooked from the beginning. The author recounted his harrowing experience in a humorous way and with a keen observational wit.

Great book

Great insight into the air war over Europe. Narrator cadence distracting, story is worth it.

One of the best books on life as a WW2 B17 Bomber

One of my all time favorite books about WW2. Brilliantly narrated, sad and funny in equal measure. Puts you in the seat of one of the most dangerous jobs of the war - daytime bomber pilot.

The maturity and bravery of these 20 year old pilots navigating across Europe is mind boggling.

Do yourself a great favor. Rich, captivating entertainment

What did you love best about The Wrong Stuff?

Eyewitness history from the different world of 70 years ago, which reads like a modern engrossing novel. Hilarious, absolutely real, grim, satirical, poignant; you can feel the pervasive fear and fatigue and bewilderment experienceid by the flyers in their narrow cramped and frozen spaces. You are reminded of "Catch 22" and yet it's so much better for being real.

What did you like best about this story?

Having a ringside seat to one of the most massive and significant endeavors of human history, from the perspective of a boy from Oklahoma who was amazed by what he was living through.

What about James Killavey’s performance did you like?

The narrators delivery style is perfect for the author's dry wit. We are truly fortunate that the author has created this book, I believe it would take a special person to read this and do it justice; Killavey has done just that. The author described the blacksmith's forge which was the air war above Germany in 1944, the narrator was the blacksmith's hammer.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I am truly concerned that I might have missed this book or that it might not have been created in the first place. Fortunately, it went from the authentic hero's mind to the printed page, but with so many to choose from I might have missed this nugget. But in particular, the author pointed out that the individual who receives a physical wound gets a medal, and yet he wondered about wounds to the mind and the scars you cannot see.

Any additional comments?

There are airplanes and bombs and targets in this book, there are great events and great tragedy, however, the value and the richness of the book is the description of what went on in True's mind and the behaviour of his comrades, it is a very personal account and is timeless.

Couldn't stop once I got into it.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Wonderful, true account of our heroic boys...and they were just boys...during World War 2.Makes you appreciate a bit more what we have today because of them.

What other book might you compare The Wrong Stuff to and why?

Unbroken. Different kind of heroism but heroism nonetheless.

What does James Killavey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Read the story well. Some emotion when needed but did not overdo it. I like that.Some narrators seem to think their performance should be like a stage play and it becomes all about them. Those I don't like. However, this is a personal preference. To make sure you like him, listen to the sample. It's long enough to let you know if you will like his reading, as I did, or not.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Title sounds like a great one for a movie.

Any additional comments?

It usually takes me a week to ten days to finish listening to a book this long. This one took 2 1/2 days. Just couldn't stop once I got into it. It was that good.