Ajitabh Pandey's Soul & Syntax

Exploring systems, souls, and stories – one post at a time

Category: Reviews

  • Book Review: Midnight Black (Gray Man #14)

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    Midnight Black is another fast-paced and gripping entry in Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series. This time, Court Gentry (the Gray Man) takes on one of his most personal and dangerous missions yet. His objective is not a contract or a target, but a rescue. Zoya Zakharova, his partner and former Russian spy, has been captured and thrown into a brutal prison camp deep inside Russia. Refusing to believe she’s lost forever, Gentry embarks on a desperate mission to bring her back, no matter the cost.

    The pacing is fierce right from the start. The book portrays a strong emotional drive in the Gray Man, which was never seen in any of the previous books in the series. For the first time in 14 books of the series so far, the readers (and followers of the series) see a personal side of him and he appears truly human.

    The book leans heavily toward action and military-style missions rather than subtle spy craft.

    The narration by Jay Snyder deserves special mention. His delivery once again elevates the story to another level. The pacing of his narration perfectly matches the tension and rhythm of Greaney’s writing, and his voice modulation brings each scene and character to life. Snyder has become inseparable from the Gray Man series, and his performance here is among his best.

    Midnight Black is pure adrenaline with heart — a mix of non-stop action, emotional stakes, and high-end espionage. It’s a story about loyalty and love set against the backdrop of danger and impossible odds. I was not disappointed, and I can definitely say the series’s fans will not be either. New readers will find it a thrilling introduction to one of the best modern spy thrillers.

  • Book Review: Artillery’s Thunder – The Untold Kargil Story by Maj Gen (Retd) Lakhwinder Singh

    From Kargil’s peaks to today’s fragile LoC, this book reminds us that the echoes of 1999 still shape India’s military conscience.”

    Few books pierce the surface of India’s modern military history with the clarity and courage that Artillery’s Thunder does. Written by Major General (Retd) Lakhwinder Singh, this is not another sanitized retelling of the 1999 Kargil War—it is a ground-up reconstruction of how India’s artillery turned the tide when confusion, unpreparedness, and political hesitation loomed large.

    From the very first pages, Singh pulls readers into the raw tempo of Operation Vijay. He paints the early chaos with startling honesty: intelligence lapses, senior commanders underestimating a well-entrenched enemy, and a rush to attack without adequate reconnaissance. The Indian Air Force’s initial unpreparedness for high-altitude combat adds to the realism of his account, yet he’s quick to acknowledge their exceptional logistical support that kept operations alive.

    Where this book truly thunders is in its portrayal of the artillery corps. Singh’s descriptions of coordinated barrages by Bofors FH-77Bs roaring day and night, precisely synchronizing with ground advances reveal how artillery became the silent architect of victory. He doesn’t hesitate to critique the post-war glorification imbalance: renaming Gun Hill to Batra Top symbolizes, in his view, how institutional bias often eclipses artillery’s contributions.

    The political backdrop runs as a constant undercurrent, Singh sharply critiques the restrictions imposed for optics, such as the “no crossing LoC” rule, even as the enemy violated it. His tone remains patriotic, but it’s the patriotism of someone who has seen both the brilliance and the blunders of war up close.

    Artillery’s Thunder is not merely a military memoir, it’s a mirror held up to India’s defense establishment, urging introspection and readiness. The book closes on a haunting note: that the echoes of Kargil are far from silent, especially in the light of recent events like the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.

    In the end, this is both a tribute and a warning. It celebrates the men behind the guns as much as it cautions against complacency.

    Highly recommended for defense enthusiasts, policy thinkers, and anyone who seeks the unfiltered truth of India’s most hard-fought modern war.

  • Book Review: The Gotland Deception by James Rosone and Miranda Watson

    James Rosone and Miranda Watson’s The Gotland Deception arrives with the promise of a gripping military technothriller, setting the stage for a new global conflict in the 2030s. The book’s premise seems very compelling.

    I found that roughly 85% of the book is devoted to comprehensive world-building. This includes deep dives into family life, military exercises, spy infiltration plots, and incredibly detailed descriptions of autonomous systems and advanced equipment. While some foundational work is crucial in launching a new series, this extensive setup significantly slows the narrative pace.

    It’s clear the authors are meticulously establishing the stakes and the technology of this near-future world. They detail the “frontlines to a proxy war” across locations like Angola, Svalbard, and Taiwan, painting a plausible, if chilling, picture of how a new World War III could quietly begin.

    The good news? The meticulous setup pays off—eventually.

    The real, explosive action only kicks in during the final chapters. When it does, the pace accelerates dramatically, delivering the kind of fast-paced, engaging military action fans of Rosone’s The Monroe Doctrine series expect. That late surge of adrenaline and thrilling potential is what truly saves the book.

    I’m rating The Gotland Deception three stars, largely on the strength of that ending. It’s an undeniable hint that the sequels, built on the solid, albeit dense, foundation of this first installment, could very well deliver a continuous, gripping thriller experience. It’s a slow burn that promises much for the series to come. Readers with patience will be rewarded by a thrilling finale and an exciting glimpse into a potential future military conflict.

  • Book Review: Shooting Straight: A Military Biography of Lt Gen. Rostum K. Nanavatty by Arjun Subramaniam

    Shooting Straight is more than just a recounting of battles; it is a meticulously researched biography of an exemplary soldier and leader of the Indian Army, Lt Gen. Rostum Kaikhushru Nanavatty. Written by accomplished military historian Arjun Subramaniam, the book aims to capture the essence of soldiering, command, and leadership across five turbulent decades, from the 1960s to the 2000s.

    The book’s subject, Lt Gen. Nanavatty, emerges from the pages as a paragon of the Indian Army—a figure defined by integrity, discipline, and unwavering dedication to the nation. His career was marked by action across key operational areas, including Nagaland, Sri Lanka, Siachen, and Baramulla, establishing him as a decorated and accomplished infantry officer.

    Subramaniam excels in presenting a balanced and comprehensive portrait. The biography not only covers the operational acumen and intellectual brilliance for which Gen. Nanavatty was known but also masterfully integrates his personal life with his professional ups and downs. The writing is simple, engaging, and always provides the necessary context for the reader, ensuring the narrative is accessible even to those not deeply familiar with India’s military history.

    One of the most valuable aspects of Shooting Straight is the wealth of primary source material incorporated into the narrative. Approximately 30% of the book is dedicated to various references and detailed notes taken by Gen. Nanavatty throughout his career. This inclusion offers readers an invaluable, first-hand perspective on contemporary warfare, counterinsurgency, high-altitude operations, and the overall landscape of the Indian Army from the view of one of its most respected commanders.

    The biography truly shines in its depiction of a leader who was unafraid to “speak ‘truth to power.’” By offering insights into every facet of his challenges and triumphs, the book stands as a testament to his resilience and profound commitment.

    For anyone seeking a deep and engaging look at modern Indian military history, command structure, and the qualities of exceptional leadership, Shooting Straight is an essential read. It’s a compelling portrait of a life dedicated to service, captured with skill and objectivity by a masterful historian.

  • Book Review: Marshal Arjan Singh, DFC Life and Times by Group Captain Ranbir Singh (Retd)

    This brief biography is presented as a tribute to one of the most distinguished and legendary figures in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The goal is clear: to chronicle the extraordinary life, remarkable achievements, and lasting impact of Marshal Arjan Singh.

    However, the book takes an interesting narrative turn, evolving into something broader than a focused personal biography.

    While the expectation was a narrative centered on the Marshal’s personal journey from his humble beginnings to becoming the Chief of the Air Staff and the Marshal of the Indian Air Force, the book dedicates considerable time to the broader history of the IAF.

    Specifically, the narrative delves deeply into the history of the No. 1 Squadron, covering its challenges and triumphs both before and after India’s independence, and exploring the wider historical context faced by the Air Force during that formative period. While this material is historically valuable and rich in context, it results in Marshal Arjan Singh himself appearing only intermittently throughout the chapters.

    A Valuable Historical Resource

    For readers already familiar with the history of the Indian Armed Forces, the book may not unearth a wealth of completely new information. However, it does shed light on certain lesser-known details regarding the early days of the IAF and the Indian Navy, military branches whose histories are often less thoroughly documented than that of the Indian Army.

    Ultimately, the book shines as a significant historical resource.

    • For the general reader, it offers a comprehensive and engaging look at the formative years of the Indian Air Force and its subsequent evolution.
    • It highlights the strategic acumen and wartime leadership that shaped the IAF’s future, aligning with the description’s promise of historical depth.

    The meticulous research undertaken by Group Captain Ranbir Singh (Retd.) pays tribute not just to the Marshal Arjan Singh, but to the entire era of the early IAF. Readers looking exclusively for an in-depth, personal biography of Marshal Arjan Singh may find the focus slightly diluted. But for those interested in a detailed account of the history and challenges of the Indian Air Force as viewed through the context of the Marshal’s career, this book is an important and insightful contribution. It captures the spirit of unwavering commitment and indomitable spirit that defined both the man and the institution he led.