Ashok Ahlawat is a loquacious ex-NDA veteran of self-confessedly middling military achievement, who deliberately, if not brazenly, flaunts his knowledge of classics in English literature, starting with Latin quotes and moving on to poet laureates, etc. Early on, he explains…

The setting of the tales is diverse. The NDA is a favourite, so is the Cavalry, the Sappers, the Gunners… Though mainly honourable, some references aren’t complementary. But, were they avoidable? Readers will judge for themselves.

There is a reference to an Army commander, a hero in Ashok’s estimate, an officer earlier highlighted in social media for physical prowess. He writes of how the officer goes around declaring he is undergoing a heart attack, but no one listens, including cardiac specialists. And when they do, the attack is confirmed. One wonders if cardiac caregivers would accept this sorry attempt at assuming macho status even in distress.

Such tilting at windmills is balanced by stunning tales of bravery and amazing skills focused on tank and Infantry combat at Chhamb, with barely concealed names of the complex arabesque of bravery when we lost Chhamb to Pakistan. The tales indicate a myriad of emotions whose net gains and losses define bravery, guts, gunnery skill, awards, also their absence because all of them “retreated”…

Bravado is afoot in Burma by a Jat. Hony Capt Umrao Singh was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery against the Japanese in World War-II. Ashok becomes a Gunner Captain to tell his tale, changing his identity like a chameleon again, and yet again. In the books, Ashok treats women variously. He displays economy of praise for officer wives. Women in general are, however, seen with awe, admired for couture, beauty and appeal. His handling of widows, mothers and daughters is where he is on a song.

Readers stand informed of the highs and lows, and the spoofs and pirouettes of these books.

— The writer is based in Mohali