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The Wrong Stuff!: The Adventures and Misadventures of an 8th Air Force Aviator
Between April and July 1944, Truman Smith Flew thirty-five bombing missions over France and Germany. He was only twenty 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.
358 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 3, 2015
A pretty interesting memoir of an Oklahoman flying B-17 bombers in WWII out of England. He provides a pretty unvarnished account of the things that went on. Not only of the combat with it's fear and death, but also of the recreational time with some less than virtuous behavior from his fellow Americans and himself.
His style is easily approachable and he includes some humorous anecdotes along with the serious business they were engaged in.
People who look back at being involved in this conflict frequently frame it philosophically in the way they remember it. Usually a simple we were the good guys and the Germans/Japanese were the bad guys and this was a war that had to be fought. Here, the author explains that he thought what he had to do was terrible but that we could only beat the bad guys by being badder than they were. He did not justify the allied bombing campaign other than that the ends justified the means though the means were not honorable. He points back to the American civil war as the point when western civilization began to engage in total war and the American bombing campaign was just natural evolution from that point. That probably to simple of a view and doesn't take the work of air theorists who wrote about proper use of Air power during and after WWI which included destruction of economic targets of enemy nations as part of future wars. However, there really didn't seem to be much of a robust professional philosophical development of pilots. Probably because they appropriately busy with the nitty-gritty details of actual mission execution with very high casualty rates.
I don't know what the definitive memoirs are for the bombing part of the European WWII Air War. This would be one of the contenders for the top 5 or 10 IMHO.
His style is easily approachable and he includes some humorous anecdotes along with the serious business they were engaged in.
People who look back at being involved in this conflict frequently frame it philosophically in the way they remember it. Usually a simple we were the good guys and the Germans/Japanese were the bad guys and this was a war that had to be fought. Here, the author explains that he thought what he had to do was terrible but that we could only beat the bad guys by being badder than they were. He did not justify the allied bombing campaign other than that the ends justified the means though the means were not honorable. He points back to the American civil war as the point when western civilization began to engage in total war and the American bombing campaign was just natural evolution from that point. That probably to simple of a view and doesn't take the work of air theorists who wrote about proper use of Air power during and after WWI which included destruction of economic targets of enemy nations as part of future wars. However, there really didn't seem to be much of a robust professional philosophical development of pilots. Probably because they appropriately busy with the nitty-gritty details of actual mission execution with very high casualty rates.
I don't know what the definitive memoirs are for the bombing part of the European WWII Air War. This would be one of the contenders for the top 5 or 10 IMHO.
April 8, 2015
Written in good humor The Wrong Stuff sets out to demystify WWII glory.
Written decades after the fact this is not your most accurate of histories, but with it's humor it lours you in and makes it fun to read about the ravages of the air war over Europe.
In between the light hearted self criticism, the reader learns that WWII despite all the hype wasn't a golden age when we did things right.
The book could have done with some better editing as there are some heavy repetitions of the same maxims over and over again.
Written decades after the fact this is not your most accurate of histories, but with it's humor it lours you in and makes it fun to read about the ravages of the air war over Europe.
In between the light hearted self criticism, the reader learns that WWII despite all the hype wasn't a golden age when we did things right.
The book could have done with some better editing as there are some heavy repetitions of the same maxims over and over again.
February 21, 2015
Using Wrong to Make Right …
When I think of what kind of person it takes to pilot/co-pilot one of the most sophisticated military aircraft in the world, a 20 year old “man” certainly isn’t what comes to mind. But, 70+ years ago, 2nd Lt. Truman Smith was just that … too young to drink, inexperienced with women and life in general, but responsible for flying a 4-engine bomber deep into Germany at 27,000 ft. with 9 fellow crewmen much like himself. THE WRONG STUFF clearly reveals how the war fought in the skies of Europe was never a glamorous affair and certainly no safer than the battles being fought by the “ground-pounders” below.
Smith explains in his introduction that the book’s title, THE WRONG STUFF, is about “Nature’s Law of Equal and Opposite” … the good offsetting the bad and right offsetting the wrong. While the book is one man’s vivid account of his wartime experience in a B-17, it’s also a testament that the good of winning the war was offset by the cumulative effect of the bad … mishaps, mistakes and bad luck … the wrong stuff. Rather than simply telling his story, Smith chooses to actually take readers back with him to experience what he went through first-hand … the movie vividly plays out while your read!
The book is presented in a unique manner. The chapters seem to be misleading and/or mistitled, the text is choppy and Smith frequently emphasizes using ALL CAPS, but it oddly works … very well. It only took me a few pages to get acclimated with his writing style and simply become immersed in the unfolding story.
THE WRONG STUFF presents that sought after you-are-there/fly-on-the-wall feeling that allows readers to have a better understanding of what these young men had to go through. While I hesitate to classify Smith’s wartime duty as anything but serious and deadly, it is hard not to read his book and sense the whole affair as a grand adventure full of fear, frustration, misery and even humor (which was more a coping mechanism to offset the general sentiment that the odds favored a fiery death, severe injury or even captivity over surviving the mandatory 35 missions). Smith documents each of the 35 missions he achieved and while some were more exciting to read about than others, they all presented challenges of one sort or another. I found the interaction among Smith and his crewmates to be the most enjoyable aspect of the book as they all shared the burden together and developed a bond that centered on trust. This bond also generated a great deal of humor, even in the heat of battle. From the superstitious habit of kissing props and peeing on tent pegs before missions to the dilemma of suffering the “runs” and needing to relieve oneself at 27,000 ft. with German fighters attacking, Smith offers details of things I’d never previously considered. It’s hard to imagine the author being only 20-years old considering his responsibilities, but when he reveals his inexperience with alcohol and women you’re reminded he’s still just a kid. I find it equally amazing how vivid Smith’s memory was in recounting his wartime service.
THE WRONG STUFF is a terrific and unique account of the air war in Europe. There are numerous books that detail events, but few that actually bring events to life like this book manages to do.
When I think of what kind of person it takes to pilot/co-pilot one of the most sophisticated military aircraft in the world, a 20 year old “man” certainly isn’t what comes to mind. But, 70+ years ago, 2nd Lt. Truman Smith was just that … too young to drink, inexperienced with women and life in general, but responsible for flying a 4-engine bomber deep into Germany at 27,000 ft. with 9 fellow crewmen much like himself. THE WRONG STUFF clearly reveals how the war fought in the skies of Europe was never a glamorous affair and certainly no safer than the battles being fought by the “ground-pounders” below.
Smith explains in his introduction that the book’s title, THE WRONG STUFF, is about “Nature’s Law of Equal and Opposite” … the good offsetting the bad and right offsetting the wrong. While the book is one man’s vivid account of his wartime experience in a B-17, it’s also a testament that the good of winning the war was offset by the cumulative effect of the bad … mishaps, mistakes and bad luck … the wrong stuff. Rather than simply telling his story, Smith chooses to actually take readers back with him to experience what he went through first-hand … the movie vividly plays out while your read!
The book is presented in a unique manner. The chapters seem to be misleading and/or mistitled, the text is choppy and Smith frequently emphasizes using ALL CAPS, but it oddly works … very well. It only took me a few pages to get acclimated with his writing style and simply become immersed in the unfolding story.
THE WRONG STUFF presents that sought after you-are-there/fly-on-the-wall feeling that allows readers to have a better understanding of what these young men had to go through. While I hesitate to classify Smith’s wartime duty as anything but serious and deadly, it is hard not to read his book and sense the whole affair as a grand adventure full of fear, frustration, misery and even humor (which was more a coping mechanism to offset the general sentiment that the odds favored a fiery death, severe injury or even captivity over surviving the mandatory 35 missions). Smith documents each of the 35 missions he achieved and while some were more exciting to read about than others, they all presented challenges of one sort or another. I found the interaction among Smith and his crewmates to be the most enjoyable aspect of the book as they all shared the burden together and developed a bond that centered on trust. This bond also generated a great deal of humor, even in the heat of battle. From the superstitious habit of kissing props and peeing on tent pegs before missions to the dilemma of suffering the “runs” and needing to relieve oneself at 27,000 ft. with German fighters attacking, Smith offers details of things I’d never previously considered. It’s hard to imagine the author being only 20-years old considering his responsibilities, but when he reveals his inexperience with alcohol and women you’re reminded he’s still just a kid. I find it equally amazing how vivid Smith’s memory was in recounting his wartime service.
THE WRONG STUFF is a terrific and unique account of the air war in Europe. There are numerous books that detail events, but few that actually bring events to life like this book manages to do.
May 14, 2015
This is an interesting memoir of a World War II B-17 co-pilot. The author flew thirty-five missions with 385th Bomber Squadron of the 8th Army Air Force over France and Germany and he was only twenty years old. The back story in the book is Smith’s quest to lose his virginity.
The author goes to visit a pilot, Paul Stout, with whom he had graduated flight school. His vivid description of the 458th bomber group base brings the base to life. The story takes place between April and July 1944. Smith writes great descriptions of the bombing flights and discusses the problems and advantages of formation flight. He tells of a mission when 30 planes in his group went out but only six plans returned.
Smith vividly describes his mental and emotional stress which enables the reader to feel what it must have been like to survive such as ordeal.
The author remained in the service and in 1947 transferred from the Army to the new USAF. He eventually retired as a Lt. Coronel.
This is a great memoir of World War II and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope more veterans write their story so we have a record of their part of the war. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. James Killavey narrated the book.
The author goes to visit a pilot, Paul Stout, with whom he had graduated flight school. His vivid description of the 458th bomber group base brings the base to life. The story takes place between April and July 1944. Smith writes great descriptions of the bombing flights and discusses the problems and advantages of formation flight. He tells of a mission when 30 planes in his group went out but only six plans returned.
Smith vividly describes his mental and emotional stress which enables the reader to feel what it must have been like to survive such as ordeal.
The author remained in the service and in 1947 transferred from the Army to the new USAF. He eventually retired as a Lt. Coronel.
This is a great memoir of World War II and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope more veterans write their story so we have a record of their part of the war. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. James Killavey narrated the book.
October 22, 2016
I read every WWII book I can get my hands on, most have a certain tone, some better told than others. This was not a book to read, this was a conversation with a flesh and blood man who had seen, felt, feared and fought thru the greatest conflict in the history of mankind.
I was truly disappointed when I finished, and had to say goodbye
I was truly disappointed when I finished, and had to say goodbye
May 14, 2009
I like writers with a sense of humor, and Smith has one. At age 20 he flew 35 missions over occupied Europe. And he could laugh about it.
May 31, 2014
One really great read!
I've read many war books that simply told a story. Wrong Stuff was close to actually living through it. Gene
I've read many war books that simply told a story. Wrong Stuff was close to actually living through it. Gene
May 21, 2015
Interesting story--at times, laugh-out-loud!
June 2, 2016
Good book,Hilarious at times and dead serious at others. Really lets you see behind the polished appearance of the Mighty Eighth. They were heroes but they were also Regular guys
April 26, 2025
What an engaging and enjoyable read. Having read a few books before about WWII Aviation this was a refreshing take. Truman writes as though he is still that 20 year old Pilot. The story isn't one glamorising war or making themselves out as Heroes to be worshipped. Rather a story about surviving, and also battling with the terrifying reality it was to be a bomber pilot in that time.
I was reminded of the novel Catch-22 when Truman asks himself many times why someone would volunteer for such a hellish endeavour. To think that these men were only in their early 20s and in command of these massive war machines - when in our modern world we barely allow 20 year olds to drive cars, vote or drink alcohol.
It is also a compassionate tale that doesn't shy away from the mental challenges these young men faced and had to accept that their actions had so many unintended consequences.
Overall a really enjoyable read - not too bogged down with statistics. A sombre reminder of the horrible sacrifice made by so many - in the hopes of a world without war - a lesson many still need to learn.
I was reminded of the novel Catch-22 when Truman asks himself many times why someone would volunteer for such a hellish endeavour. To think that these men were only in their early 20s and in command of these massive war machines - when in our modern world we barely allow 20 year olds to drive cars, vote or drink alcohol.
It is also a compassionate tale that doesn't shy away from the mental challenges these young men faced and had to accept that their actions had so many unintended consequences.
Overall a really enjoyable read - not too bogged down with statistics. A sombre reminder of the horrible sacrifice made by so many - in the hopes of a world without war - a lesson many still need to learn.
February 16, 2023
I wish that I had this book when my dad was alive. It would have been fun to discuss many of the targets and episodes with him about the 8th Air Force and particularly the B-17. He also flew 35 missions in a B-17. I enjoyed the stress of keeping the crew together, and I learned that the 15th Air Force did not use the crew idea. The apparently just scrambled together a crew for each mission. I enjoyed the book.
January 22, 2024
I really, really enjoyed this book! This man put himself back into his 20 year-old self, and tells a riveting tale of what it is like to be on B-17 bombers over Europe in 1944. These were just a bunch of kids, some of the older ones were only 24 years old, going through flight after flight of white knuckle, blood draining terror in the skies over Europe! The stories told with humor and humanity! A great tale of World War II heroics.
May 29, 2017
Good book with real and interesting recollections about a co-pilot/pilot who did a full tour with the 8th Air Force. I listened to the audible version and the narrator had a voice that took a little getting used to but was fine after a little acclimation time. I would recommend to anyone interested in WW-II or aviation history.
January 2, 2019
Excellent. Just Excellent.
An amazing memoir of a frightful time. A personal and intimate description of the intimate feelings of a man thrust into a war that he had no control over, and reveals his fears and thoughts throughout. Really cool. Kudos, my friend. Great read. I never post reviews, but felt this one deserved one.
An amazing memoir of a frightful time. A personal and intimate description of the intimate feelings of a man thrust into a war that he had no control over, and reveals his fears and thoughts throughout. Really cool. Kudos, my friend. Great read. I never post reviews, but felt this one deserved one.
June 18, 2020
I read a lot of WWII books, about 80% are about the ETO. This was one of the most entertaining and easy to read books I have read, and I have read a great many. Having visited the 8th Air Force museum outside Savannah GA, I really respect our servicemen who faced an uncertain future to give us freedom.
Read it and enjoy the stories of a youth in 1944.
Read it and enjoy the stories of a youth in 1944.
August 29, 2020
Excellent and well worth your time to read
I enjoy reading military autobiographies and have even written my own. I appreciate all of them as I personally know how hard it is to put one together. But it's just natural that some are far better than others. This is one of the "far better than others."
I enjoy reading military autobiographies and have even written my own. I appreciate all of them as I personally know how hard it is to put one together. But it's just natural that some are far better than others. This is one of the "far better than others."
April 29, 2025
I'm impressed by what he experienced but I'm not impressed with his writing. He needs an editor. Much of his writing had to be skimmed through in order to get to the actual fighting scenes which were descriptive, here and there, between the authors personal feelings, fears, speculations and joking around.
August 27, 2017
The author tells of his missions flying a B17 in WWII. It is very obvious that this has been either written as the author thought of each mission, or dictated to someone else, with very little proofreading or editing, but I don't mind that, it confirms it's authenticity.
December 30, 2017
Excellent true story
No Hollywood glamorized tale of heroism but the real life adventure of an ordinary, although luckily blessed, guy. Maybe it could have been any of us and we are left wondering how we might have performed in that situation.
No Hollywood glamorized tale of heroism but the real life adventure of an ordinary, although luckily blessed, guy. Maybe it could have been any of us and we are left wondering how we might have performed in that situation.
August 7, 2018
Pretty good first person account of a WW II allied aviator.
June 24, 2019
Amazing story of young men who helped America and the Allies win the war. Quite a bit of bad language but the story is worth reading. We owe so much to our service men and women.
July 5, 2021
Excellent read, direct and to the point. Irreverent, real, and eye opening stories of what it was like to fly bombers during world war 2.
July 25, 2025
Hilarious Sad and educational
October 16, 2016
I wasn't sure about this book when I started it but it turned out to be very good. The Wrong Stuff provided a very interesting perspective of WWII from a copilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress.
March 29, 2015
One of the books written about the individual aviator warrior of WWII. Humor, pathos, irreverence, deep introspection--it's all there and I'm happy to see that it survived to my days as an air force crew dog. Smith includes several details about which others may have wondered, but have become air force legend, like just how one handles "nature's call" in a B-17 at thirty-thousand feet. The book emphasizes the idea that warriors/soldiers fight for their buddies, and not necessarily out of patriotism or other high ideals. Once I got to know Smitty and the crew I didn't want it to end. Loved the history lesson--the war fought in the skies of Europe was never a glamorous affair, rather composed of misery and even humor. It would have been a boring book if not for the interludes between sorties--he reveals inexperience with alcohol and women--you’re reminded he’s still just a kid. I find it equally amazing how vivid Smith’s memory was in recounting his wartime service, some 50 years later.
May 28, 2015
I do love a good World War II memoir and in particular those of the fly boys. So it was with great excitement I cracked opened the pages on The Wrong Stuff. What I got was great is some parts and ho-hum in others.
Truman Smith tells his tale of being a co-pilot then pilot of the iconic B-17 bomber flying over Europe. Its a story that is told in the twilight of his life and as such has a very nice reflective quality.
The parts of the book dealing with the actual bombing missions where pure gold. But these where peppered with his misadventure of a young man in a foreign land. While I can see the values of these reminiscences I was expecting more focus on flying the bombing missions.
Overall I have to say it was a good read just no entirely my cup of tea "ole chap".
Truman Smith tells his tale of being a co-pilot then pilot of the iconic B-17 bomber flying over Europe. Its a story that is told in the twilight of his life and as such has a very nice reflective quality.
The parts of the book dealing with the actual bombing missions where pure gold. But these where peppered with his misadventure of a young man in a foreign land. While I can see the values of these reminiscences I was expecting more focus on flying the bombing missions.
Overall I have to say it was a good read just no entirely my cup of tea "ole chap".
November 29, 2016
The author has a good memory, good humor, and some good, solid, and thoughtful insights about WWII, as well as about war in general. I think it would be best read in chunks, however, and not straight through, as it reads more like a stream of anecdotes and stand-alone episodes. It didn't hold my attention really well as a straight-through read, but that's also likely to the fact that I had just finished a few marvelous historical fiction novels about WWII and was attuned to that presentation.
February 1, 2015
Excellent Book
This was a great and funny book about the European air war during WW II, from the perspective of a young twenty years old pilot and others like him; to whom we should be ever thankful for their courage and resolve.
There will never be another generation like theirs.....God bless them all and their families.
This was a great and funny book about the European air war during WW II, from the perspective of a young twenty years old pilot and others like him; to whom we should be ever thankful for their courage and resolve.
There will never be another generation like theirs.....God bless them all and their families.
March 10, 2010
A fun read that is an unusual blend of the historic and the colloquial. Smith gives one of the most readable accounts of WWII available.
April 11, 2013
B17's story
Pilot
and
Reflections
Another great anti war book
Pilot
and
Reflections
Another great anti war book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews