Cardozo’s stories about his training at the JSW and later the Indian Military Academy constitute the building blocks of a compelling meta narrative. The army succeeds as an institution because it is patient with recruits, allows them to grow, understands that people can succeed at different enterprises, and emphasises camaraderie over competition.
It is well known that people from the army eventually become raconteurs. Constant mobility during service years gives them great diversity of experience. They also develop a habit of reminiscing with friends and family. Author of nearly a dozen books, Cardozo’s storytelling skills are more refined than that of his brethren. In this memoir, not only does he tell short stories that carry larger narratives, but he has also condensed unwieldy narratives into neat anecdotes.