Wings of Fire: An Autobiography [Abridged] [Paperback]

Abdul A.P.J. Kalam (Author), Arun Tiwari (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 2005

Autobiography of an Indian scientist.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Universities Press,India; Abridged Ed edition (February 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8173715181
• ISBN-13: 978-8173715181
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,104,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truth beyond Indian dream of self-sufficientcy in technology, December 28, 2001

By 

Sujamthe (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam (Paperback)

I loved the book. It was a balance of the details of the actual technological, political challenge India faced to grow in its rocket/space program. Was surprised to find details of Dr.Kalam's participative management practices and its success in the program.

Dr.Kalam is an inspiration and role model for anyone who can focus clearly and believe in goals. This book shows his spiritual side with Islamic quotes, his poetic sites with his own quotes and poems and his love for science and his country - India.

Was surprised to learn of India's pre-British king, Tipu Sultan's efforts with flying vehicles and missiles, 250 yrs ago and his statue adorning the walls of American Nasa today.

I was most impressed by the details of India's plans to use its rocket and nuclear capabilities for purely peaceful purposes. It would have helped if this list was elaborated more for us to understand if India's efforts were really being implemented in peaceful directions today.

A must read for anyone interested in understanding a scientists' dream come true or for anyone who wants to understand the difference between science and technology in implementation.

Though I started reading it to understand India's technology efforts, I closed feeling that true technologists are beyond any country, region or religion.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About A Life full of Life, January 13, 2004

By 

Ganapathy Subramaniam (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam (Paperback)

Kalam's life portrays, what zest for life is all about.

His Humble beginnings, hard work, persistance, and above all a passion for life and all things that are possible in it, are all well described in the book.

Being an autobiography of Kalam, the book invariably stands as a biography of Indian space science as well. Very lucid accounts of the several interesting projects such as SLV3, Agni and all, gives great insight into all aspects of science and space research in a developing country.

The book is very well laid out into different phases of his life.

After reading the book, It makes you feel that you know the man more intimately, His humility strikes you down.

A very refreshing book , from a refreshing person, giving a glimpse of what the power of positive thinking can help you do, given the shortcomings of the beaurocracy in a country such as India.

Beating all odds, the man reached out to the stars, and has become one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very personal autobiography, May 6, 2002

By 

Jayaram Haravu (Hyderabad, India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam (Paperback)

The book is an extremely well written autobiography of a well known Indian scientist/science administrator. The narration is simple and direct and shows how a boy from a humble background from a remote corner of India could dream of aeronautics, rocketry and missiles and make it to the top. The book also reveals the humanist in Kalam and how he was able to motivate and enthuse many young and old scientists to develop advanced systems and controls. His philosophy for managing people which comes through in the book is indeed full of wisdom and essential reading for today's managers and leaders.