At last we may all enjoy reading Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s emphasis on his term as Chief of the Army Staff. Who could write a more detailed account than his Military Assistant, always at his side throughout those tempestuous years. What shines through is a splendid portrait of a man with vision, competence, compassion and courage. Manekshaw’s candid style helped him develop an instant rapport with his troops and he was thus able to hold the morale of those under his command. Pulling a few years from a man’s life, albeit a time of far reaching changes, is a formidable task when required to illustrate the man’s character in the round. Yet here is an epic, virtually autobiographical of Manekshaw’s life. Undoubtedly, the man behind the baton of the Field Marshal has been one of the most controversial figures in the history of the armed forces. His showmanship and flamboyance may sometimes have irked even those who were most devoted to him. Yet, in the moment of truth, when war lay like a leaden weight on all Indians in 1971, Manekshaw stood the test of the hour and led his country to victory. His patriotism and dynamism stand out as a golden chapter in Indian military history. This biography is a charming account of the clarity of thought, the undaunting ideology and professionalism, easy demeanour and fantastic sense of honour of a man absolutely dedicated to the task of soldiering with dignity to the nth degree.
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