An Odyssey in War and Peace by J.F.R. Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although a slender volume, it nonetheless encompasses the brilliant General’s career from WWII to the Kargil conflict including his stint with the BJP and governing two states – Goa and Punjab.
Gen Jacob did not suffer fools gladly and spoke his mind to incompetent and lazy seniors (he threatened to resign on a number of occasions). His calling a spade a spade, being a stickler for rules and not bending to the will of bureaucrats probably led to his not being considered for the Chief - much to the loss of the Indian Army.
He is quite dismissive of the much acclaimed Sam Manekshaw (and rightly so, the Field Marshal was a vain-glorious political person) and sidelines Gen Arora completely for their roles in the liberation of Bangladesh. Gen Jacob's contribution for this Indian military triumph is not publicly acknowledged.
Very simply written, not pretentious at all and immensely readable. It could have done with some better editing – there are a lot or repetitions. I plan to read his earlier book exclusively about the Bangladesh war “Birth of a Nation.”

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