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.

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.

Myra Macdonald’s Defeat Is an Orphan, published in 2017, is a compelling and incisive examination of the turbulent post-nuclear history of India-Pakistan relations. Long unread on my own bookshelf, I found the book to be a crucial read for understanding the current geopolitical landscape of South Asia.

Macdonald, with her journalist’s eye for detail and a historian’s depth, masterfully traces the rollercoaster ride of conflict and diplomacy that followed the 1998 nuclear tests. The central argument is stark: Pakistan decisively lost the Great South Asian War, not because of India’s overwhelming military victory, but because of Pakistan’s own strategic miscalculations and dysfunction.

The core of Macdonald’s analysis lies in the paradoxical impact of nuclear weapons. While they restored a certain strategic parity and shielded Pakistan from full-scale retaliation due to its smaller size, they ultimately proved to be its undoing. The book effectively dissects how the nuclear shield encouraged a reckless reliance on militant proxies (jihadis) even as those proxies began to spin out of control both internally and externally. This reliance sealed Pakistan into a cycle of militarism and denial.

Macdonald successfully argues that while India, despite its flaws, was able to move toward economic and political consolidation, Pakistan became increasingly trapped. The book chronicles this downward spiral through key moments—from the Kargil conflict and military confrontation in the plains to the hijacking of an Indian plane and the horrific assault on Mumbai—showing how the ability to stake a serious claim to Kashmir and influence events in Afghanistan diminished rapidly.

Defeat Is an Orphan is thought-provoking and exceptionally well-researched. It offers a nuanced perspective on South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics by focusing on the military’s dominant role in shaping Pakistan’s national policy and the country’s repeated failures to adapt.

This is not merely a historical account; it is a critical analysis that remains remarkably relevant years after its publication. For anyone seeking to understand the roots of ongoing regional tensions and the complex interplay of nuclear deterrence, proxy warfare, and state policy in South Asia, this book is an essential reading. It powerfully makes the case that this “war… was not so much won by India as lost by Pakistan.“