Book review on ‘WINGS OF FIRE’

        Wings of fire by APJ Abdul kalam

Title of the book

The title of the book ‘Wings of Fire’, an autobiography of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam is appropriate and justified because in his book he has written two inspirational quotes related to this title :

We all are born with divine fire within us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with glow of its goodness.

He hailed from a poor family from a remote village. He worked hard to carve out a niche for himself in the rocket dynamics and later make it large in life to become eligible for the most prestigious position of the country. He later went on to become the President of India.

Let the fire in the heart of every Indian acquire wings and the glory of this great country light up the sky.

Preface of the book

Arun Tiwari asked Abdul Kalam to give a message to the young Indians. His message fascinated Arun so much that he decided to write a book on it. It was not easy for him but realizing the importance of it, he gave much effort to complete it.

In this autobiography, he has mentioned that he came from a poor family but with his efforts and dedication, he became the ‘Missile Man of India’ and the 11th President of India.

To ordinary people of India with hidden knowledge within them, he says that they just have to put some efforts to fly high and they can fill the world with goodness.

Importance of the book and Internal Aspects

This story is written at that time when India’s technological endeavours to assert its sovereignty and strengthen its security were questioned by many in the world. When all the world was technologically strong then India with a population of 1 billion people was also wanting to be a leader in the field of technology. So in a forceful speech he said ”Yes”. To prove his answers he narrated some incidents form his life. He not only narrated his childhood but also emphasised on how he chose to be a rocket engineer. He owed a great debt of knowledge to the distinguished lineage of Indian scientists like Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, Brahm Prakash who played major roles in his life and in the story of Indian science. Along with his colleague Arun Tiwari, he invented the Akash missile at the age of 60 years. He also has thanked God as he believes that whatever he has achieved in his life has been with the help of God and it’s an expression of God’s will. Hence he said that our efforts and this fire should be given wings.

Chronology of the content

The first chapter starts with his childhood and later chapters give a glimpse of how he grew up to become successful.

Correlation with the recent time

It is relevant at all times as it is related to success and setbacks of the science establishment in modern India. This books helps in creating a vision for a society in where science and spirituality are fused.

Outstandingness of the book

This book presents the lifestyle of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam and how he acheieved success. His way of motivating the youth in this book is different from others.

The author has portrayed many different characters in this book:

Arun Tiwari – A young colleague who worked with him at the government service since 1982 and who asked him to share his reminiscence.

Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry – He is a close friend of APJ Abdul Kalam’s father

Jainulabdeen – He is Abdul Kalam’s father

Ashiamma – She is his mother

Zohara – she is his sister

Ahmed Jallaluddin – He is a friend

Samsuddin – He is Abdul Kalam’s cousin

Rameswaram Sastry – the teacher of Abdul Kalam

Prof S ponder, Prof Kal Pandalai, Prof Narasingalu Rao – They are the teacher in Madras Institute of Technology.

What do you like in the book

The page in which he wrote a poem to his motheris the page which I have loved the most. The cover page of the book is also very nice as APJ Abdul Kalam is shown in a contemplative mood.

In this book each and every characters are portrayed very nicely.

To whom you recommend this book

I would like to recommend this book to people of every age because if they will read this book, they will get motivated by it as it is an inspiring story.