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General Brasstacks: The Sundarji Story | Biography of the Army Chief, Krishnaswamy Sundarji | The Making of Modern Military Strategy
481 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 10, 2026
Offers no insight into Gen. Sundarji's thinking. Is really more a summation of facts, buttressed by little bits of analysis here and there. Dasgupta repeats himself an awful lot, and he skips over significant events and time periods such as Sundarji's regimental service in the 1950s and his command of the College of Combat. The style of writing isn't one that pulls you in either, and there is no semblance of a narrative style or a structural approach aside from the barebones linear chronology of events the book follows. Really disappointing.
March 25, 2026
The life and times of General Krishnaswamy Sundarji, arguably one of the finest Indian military leaders of independent India. From Brasstacks to India’s Nuclear Doctrine, his contributions remain timeless. A must read for all interested in understanding evolution of Indian military thoughts through the 80s.
March 30, 2026
Sundarji
Why would anybody read the biography of a soldier? But what if I told you that the story of the soldier runs parallel to the history of independent India and transcends military dynamics to give you an understanding of how significant milestones in our modern history shaped our country!
That’s what Probal has done in a thoroughly well researched book where not only has he studied the General’s graph, but gives the reader the best possible view of the goings-on at the highest levels of national policy and decision-making.
If you have even the slightest interest in how events like the partition, Gandhi’s assassination, Op Bluestar, Op Pawan, Bofors, Brasstacks and our road to becoming a nuclear power shaped our history, then do read this thrilling account, put across by the author in the simplest of words and most lucid manner.
Even though by the time you finish the book you’re in awe of sundarji, Probal does not hesitate in being upfront and outright in his assessments. Just like when he has to give a blunt assessment on the result of the 1965 conflict with Pakistan or the brazen manner in which Gen Sundarji dealt with his subordinates, and sometimes his seniors too whether it was Op Bluestar or Operation Pawan. In fact, in one assessment, the author says that “he lacked the necessary patience to tackle complex issues that an insurgency such as the one in Sri Lanka posed”. In another instance, he says, and I quote “his brilliance carried an air of impetuosity while his personality, though decisive and bold brought with it the hubris of a military leader who brooked little opposition among contemporaries and held sway over the perceptions of the political leadership… there was a chasm of disconnect between the leadership and the bitter challenges faced on ground…there were moments when he missed the cue… And at other times, he was dismissive”
Probal also brings out boldly how professional disagreement happens all the time at all levels in the uniformed forces, including with politicians, something we rarely see being brought out in the Indian context.
Besides, there were many occasions where one was either left dumbfounded or shocked or pleasantly surprised at learning about certain things or people which/who one knows otherwise, which I can’t name for being spoilers to the desirous reader but naming of the operation Bluestar is one example, commandos trained in Israel, role of a hair salon in nuclear espionage are other examples among many more.
One tried to look for some shortcomings in the book to make it a balanced review, but the only negative thing found was that the maps were lousy, the blame for which probably lies with the publisher.
Two of my favourite passages from the book are when the author ends one section with the lines “ That year cricket would go on to become a religion in India, religion would go on to shape politics and politics would go on to stoke a fire that would burn for ages.”
The second is when he ends one chapter by saying “ the Dragon had gone home, but the tigers were waiting.“
Excellent and outstanding!
Do read!
Why would anybody read the biography of a soldier? But what if I told you that the story of the soldier runs parallel to the history of independent India and transcends military dynamics to give you an understanding of how significant milestones in our modern history shaped our country!
That’s what Probal has done in a thoroughly well researched book where not only has he studied the General’s graph, but gives the reader the best possible view of the goings-on at the highest levels of national policy and decision-making.
If you have even the slightest interest in how events like the partition, Gandhi’s assassination, Op Bluestar, Op Pawan, Bofors, Brasstacks and our road to becoming a nuclear power shaped our history, then do read this thrilling account, put across by the author in the simplest of words and most lucid manner.
Even though by the time you finish the book you’re in awe of sundarji, Probal does not hesitate in being upfront and outright in his assessments. Just like when he has to give a blunt assessment on the result of the 1965 conflict with Pakistan or the brazen manner in which Gen Sundarji dealt with his subordinates, and sometimes his seniors too whether it was Op Bluestar or Operation Pawan. In fact, in one assessment, the author says that “he lacked the necessary patience to tackle complex issues that an insurgency such as the one in Sri Lanka posed”. In another instance, he says, and I quote “his brilliance carried an air of impetuosity while his personality, though decisive and bold brought with it the hubris of a military leader who brooked little opposition among contemporaries and held sway over the perceptions of the political leadership… there was a chasm of disconnect between the leadership and the bitter challenges faced on ground…there were moments when he missed the cue… And at other times, he was dismissive”
Probal also brings out boldly how professional disagreement happens all the time at all levels in the uniformed forces, including with politicians, something we rarely see being brought out in the Indian context.
Besides, there were many occasions where one was either left dumbfounded or shocked or pleasantly surprised at learning about certain things or people which/who one knows otherwise, which I can’t name for being spoilers to the desirous reader but naming of the operation Bluestar is one example, commandos trained in Israel, role of a hair salon in nuclear espionage are other examples among many more.
One tried to look for some shortcomings in the book to make it a balanced review, but the only negative thing found was that the maps were lousy, the blame for which probably lies with the publisher.
Two of my favourite passages from the book are when the author ends one section with the lines “ That year cricket would go on to become a religion in India, religion would go on to shape politics and politics would go on to stoke a fire that would burn for ages.”
The second is when he ends one chapter by saying “ the Dragon had gone home, but the tigers were waiting.“
Excellent and outstanding!
Do read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews