Down in Flames
Ray Parker
Synopsis: Sixteen million Americans served in World War II . . . This is one man’s incredible story. “War and captivity — life and death — fear and bravery. A remarkable true story of World War II that takes us along through the hell of aerial combat against high odds, and the harsh life of survivors in Nazi prison camps. A tale well told, it gives us insight into the courage and character of our gallant young airmen who paved the way for the invasion of Fortress Europe and our ultimate victory over Hitler’s Germany.” -Major General Donald Ross, USAF (ret.) “Once I started reading ‘Down in Flames,’ I couldn’t put it down. It’s well written and kept me turning the pages. Ray Parker was head writer on my daily CBS-TV show, ‘House Party,’ but he never talked about bombing missions over Germany during World War II and surviving a Nazi prison camp. What a surprise! I can certainly recommend this book.” -Art Linkletter
Growing up there were two things I lacked. One was knowledge of World War II and the other was grandparents.
Don’t get me wrong…I studied World War II in school unfortunately I don’t remember a lot of the details. History was not a favorite subject as a teenager. It wasn’t until I was an adult where I started to realize the value of knowing History. As far as grandparents went…most of mine passed away either before I was born or while I was very young so I missed learning at their knee.
When I read Down in Flames by Ray Parker I felt as if I had been given both knowledge and a grandfather in one book.
Mr. Parker explains the War and the effects it had on millions of people in a way that you can definitely understand and comprehend the environment, the situation and the times. With a sincerity, intensity and detail that can be explained by only one that has lived the situation.
I felt as if this book could have been written by my grandfather. The gentle yet firm way he tells his story gave me a paternal feel. As if the story was told directly to me.
I can only imagine the horror that Mr. Parker and others went through as POW’s. I was glad to read that Mr. Parker also spoke of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is so prevalent among our service men and women.
In one part of the book Mr. Parker describes why so many service men/women do not speak of the situations they endure. Simple put…it is too hard to relieve.
Down in Flames gave me a renewed respect for our Military and for all they do to protect the freedom of our country. It doesn’t matter if you agree with the principal or not..these young men and women put their lives on the line so that we have the privilege to agree or disagree with out repercussions.
Mr. Parker presented an image of World War II that I could have never learned in a history book. It shed light on his thoughts, feelings and situation at the height of WWII. I appreciate his loyalty to your country and to completing a book that helps generations understand, a little better, what World War II was about.
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