WINGS OF FIRE Paperback – Big Book, 1 January 2015

Every common man who by his sheer grit and hard work achieves success should share his story with the rest for they may find inspiration and strength to go on, in his story. The 'Wings of Fire' is one such autobiography by visionary scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who from very humble beginnings rose to be the President of India. The book is full of insights, personal moments and life experiences of Dr. Kalam. It gives us an understanding on his journey of success.Dr. Kalam by narrating his life journey evokes the reader to identify with one’s inner fire and potential, for he was of the firm belief that each one of us was born with the strength and potential to make a tangible change in the world. How he inspired himself to achieve dreams and how he went about accomplishing so much is what the book captures nicely.The book recollects many anecdotes and stories from childhood, his time at school and college. The time spent at the Langley Research Center, NASA and Wallops Flight Facility gets a lot of attention.Personal tragedies have not been left out. The time when he lost his father and how he felt when conferred with many awards like the Padma Bhushan have been written in much detail.The second half of the book deals with Dr Kalam, the scientist who made a significant contribution in developing the countries guided missile program, a pioneering effort for the security of the nation. It's not with reason that he was nicknamed as the 'Missile Man of India'. The book also contains 24 photographs at various stages of his life.Authored by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Mr. Arun Tiwari, the 180 page book 'The Wings of Fire' was first published in the year 2000. Mr Tiwari is a well-known missile scientist who has worked with Dr. Kalam. Having become a bestseller, the book has even been translated into thirteen languages, which includes Chinese and French.About the AuthorDr APJ Abdul Kalam from 2002 to 2007 served as the 11th President of India. Greatly admired all over India, he was a scientist by profession, who played a leading role in developing the country's missile program. From humble roots in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalam in an inspirational autobiography 'The Wings of Fire' traces the rise and the mark he made in life.Mr. Arun Tiwari, a scientist, was a colleague of Dr Kalam.ReviewIf you want to leave your footprints in the sands of time, do not drag your feet." These are one of the most enduring lines that still lay etched in my memory. I have read this book long back, and I don't remember when, but surely the essence remains with me even today. This book is best suited for reading for the teenagers, to dream and to dare. It shows, how a person from the modest background ends up in being the First Citizen of a nation of one billion. It shows how a scientist, devoid of basic tools, helps in culmination of a program which other love to loathe and deride. It shows a man, who lived his life in terms of his principles and nothing else. It shows how a common man, like you and me, can achieve when he can dream. And finally, it teaches how to dream --Tarun Mitra on Apr 26, 2012This is the most inspiring book I have ever read. Great salute to the man for his contribution to Indian Rocketry.I would like to recall few lines from book. 1. What you imagine, is what you transpire.What you believe is what you achieve. 2. A good plan executed violently right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week. 3. Once your mind stretches to a new level it never goes back to its original dimension. 4. Adversities always presents opportunities for introspection. and the most inspiring line is.. "We all are born with divine fire in us.Our efforts should be to give wings --Devendra on Aug 26, 2012After reading this book i realized the value of APJ abdul Kalam's dedication. Don't think about money to purchase this book to read a autobiography a spokesman,a president,a DRDO chief scientist,a ISRO chief scientist, a Bramohse supersonic missile innovator... --Naveen A H on Sep 5, 2011About the AuthorArun Tiwari rose to fame as an author with his book Wings of Fire, which he co-authored with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He's a missile scientist who worked under the guidance of Kalam. Tiwari contributed to the design of the missiles, Akash and Trishul and is the first Indian who designed a titanium bottle to power missiles. Apart from this, Tiwari has been the director at the Cardiovascular Technology Institute in Hyderabad. He received the Defense Technology Spin-Off Award for developing the Kalam-Raju stent.

Wings of Fire is the autobiography of Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam the former President of India and a renowned scientist. Through this book doctor Kalam's hard work determination and knowledge is shared very nicely his achievements ,set backs his learning experience and his guidance is explained very nicely the language used in this book is very simple and it is accessible to read for all the ages it is motivational book inspiring book for students young professionals and everyone.

‘If you want to leave your footprints on the sands of time, do not drag your feet…’ Wings of Fire do manage to fill your heart with positivity and hope, scoring high on the simplicity and motivational quotient. It is a ‘straight from the heart’ offering from the country’s most loved Head of the State embodying his learning and wisdom from the years and years of hard work, failure and struggle. Multi facets of Mr. Kalam’s personality and ideology will surely increase your respect for him multifold…Respect!!!‘Wings of Fire’ hailed as the autobiography of Mr. Abdul Kalam is actually a bit more than that. In addition to provide a deep narration to the events of Kalam’s life, it advocates and portrays his vision and guidance to the youth of India encompassing his discourse on the inspirational leadership and collaborative people management. The chronicles of his stimulating journey emitting brighter rays of success through the darker clouds of failures and multiple shades of disappointments implants the sapling of hope to the ailing heart. ‘Forget the failure and search instead for the true purpose of your existence…surrender yourself to the will of God’, is what is the gist of Kalam’s advise to the young blood – an important point being put forward is ‘Believe in yourself and also on HIS inscrutable ways!!!’The book takes off brilliantly with the backdrop of Kalam’s village in Rameshwaram providing glimpse of the time and the people shaping his childhood. It’s really interesting to read about the religious harmony and cohesiveness amongst people during those days. Consider this, “The high priest of Rameswaram temple, Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, was a very close friend of my father’s. One of the most vivid memories of my early childhood is of the two men, each in his traditional attire, discussing spiritual matters.” The anecdotes which Kalam gives to reflect his early childhood days truly forms one of the best part of the book revealing to the readers focal point of all the humility and virtue he possessed.It is rich in motivational texture filled with nuggets of positive thinking citing examples from his own life. There were times when the disappointment and failures bogged down even someone like Kalam exposing him to risk of breaking down and falling back. Just when, he was about to collapse, someone or the other was there by his side to instill confidence and fighting spirit in him which propelled and launched him with greater intensity towards the success.Another great thing which the book does is that it brings forth the contribution of innumerable silent souls who toil night and day to put India on the high pedestal in the map of world powers. These unsung heroes spend a major portion of their lives placing at times the families and relations at the back burner for the achievement of the sole objective of making India independent and comparable of the world’s powerful nations. Kalam, in all humility, pays ode to all those hands which came together for the launch of SLV 3, creation of RCI, Prithvi, Agni etc.The assorted pictures from his life encompassing various facets and moods add multifold to the charm of reading. The book reveals multi-dimensional personality of Mr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam – Kalam, the Scholar; Kalam, the Scientist; Kalam, the Manager; Kalam, the Leader; Kalam – the Learner and not to forget…Kalam, the Poet. The last one did actually sweep me off completely for Mr. President did came across as an eloquent and contemplating poet. The below mentioned powerful verses will vouch my statement…For all your days prepareAnd meet them ever alikeWhen you are the anvil, bearWhen you are the hammer, strikeWhile the book has indeed a lot of positives to offer to the reader, at some junctures it become a bit more scientific in representation which might break the flow of a normal reader. I mean while detailing on the professional stint of Kalam, the books transform like a manual on evolution map of India on the nuclear map enriched with scientific terminology and milestone…something which might disconnect the reader from the overall context. Further, some more insights on the personal life of Mr. Kalam and his people would surely have done wonders.Read this book for rekindling your dreams and adding fuel to their wings to let them expand and fly in the world of possibilities.Rating: 3.5/5Read The Complete Review Here >>>[...]