This book goes beyond a biographical narrative and takes a hard look at events within the army and the country. Right from his early service he had a knack to find trouble or of trouble finding him. He treated these as opportunities of life. As a junior officer he learnt to identify truth and stand up to unjust orders. This early experience conditioned his responses. In these pages you see the traits of a soldier, thinker and a man of conviction, at times at odds with authority. In Nagaland and Manipur he redefined and executed a new counter insurgency strategy with success against all opposition. At the Military Operations Directorate he was involved in planning and execution of operation Meghdoot in Siachen and opposed army's involvement in Punjab and Operation Blue Star. As author of Exercise Brass Tacks he has tried to separate the myth of war from reality. In his reminiscences, he has covered a vast span of defence and security structures, need for a strategic culture and Civil-Military relations. He has also critically analysed the deteriorating image of the army, systemic failures, and decline in value system and role of the COAS with special reference to the V K Singh affair. Similarly, his in-depth and critical analysis of the period as Governor of Manipur and Nagaland is incisive. Lieutenant General Nayar's analytical review of conflicts in Sri Lanka, North East, terrorism and LWE and suggestions on security management reflect his deep understanding of the issues. He has expressed his views in a forthright and direct manner, spared no one and given credit where due.