Starting with a concise history of the army since its inception, the book reviews in depth India’s military relationships with China, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Among the aspects covered are: a dispassionate look at past conflicts, the likelihood of future wars, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. The army’s interaction with its political masters, its experience of tackling various insurgencies, its relationship with the media, and the emerging prickly issue of arms production and procurement are also closely examined.

An analysis of the ethos and traditions of the army reveals many an interesting insight and anecdote. Some surprising and unpleasant facts emerge as well. Timely cautionary alarms are sounded with regard to the possible impact upon it of the militant Sikh and Gorkha agitations. A peep into the future shows a third world army only partly equipped with high technology weapon systems and but poorly poised to lend support should the country adopt a more venturesome foreign policy.