Gifting Guide: 10 Books for the Soldier at Heart in Your Family

This one is for the Chhota Fauji at home, the little one who loves military stories and is always ready with a salute. Blazing Bazookas in Burma follows Arjun, a curious 10-year-old who discovers an old bazooka in his attic. But this is no ordinary bazooka. It talks and has a ghostly resident with a story to tell from the Burma Campaign of World War II.

A fun and humorous way to introduce your young reader to military history.

Buy here: Blazing Bazookas in Burma (Bijli Adventures #1)

For anyone in your family who has ever looked at a person in uniform and wondered, "Could it be me?", this book makes for a particularly meaningful gift.

Could It Be Me? takes readers into the journey of becoming an officer in the Indian Armed Forces. From the military academy at Dehradun and the Sainik Schools to the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the book explores the many pathways through which young aspirants turn their dreams into reality.

Buy here: Could It Be Me?

Military life is not just about discipline, drills and determination. It is also about friendships forged through shared struggles, unforgettable memories, laughter and a bond that lasts a lifetime. From Boots to Brotherhood: Cadets, Camaraderie and Chronicles captures exactly this spirit through the experiences of AFPI cadets. From late-night conversations and mischievous pranks to challenging moments and hearty laughter, the book takes readers behind the scenes of cadet life.

For a youngster dreaming of joining the Armed Forces, or anyone curious about the friendships and experiences that shape a cadet's life, this book is a delightful read.

Buy here: From Boots to Brotherhood: Cadets, Camaraderie and Chronicles

Nothing brings you closer to military life than a soldier's own story. In Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye, Lt Gen KJS 'Tiny' Dhillon, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM (Retd) takes readers through his remarkable Army career and his experiences serving in Kashmir. From infantry operations and defining moments in India's recent history to the challenges of leadership and life beyond the uniform, this memoir offers a fascinating first-hand perspective. For anyone who wants to understand the realities of military service, this book makes a thoughtful gift.

Buy here: Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye: My Life Story

What better way to celebrate the Fauji spirit than through stories of extraordinary courage and sacrifice? The bestselling India's Most Fearless series by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh brings together real-life accounts of exceptional bravery displayed in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Across its three volumes, the series features true stories from the 2016 surgical strikes, counter-terror operations in Kashmir, the Galwan clash and daring rescue missions, among other defining moments.

Buy here: India’s Most Fearless 1, India’s Most Fearless 2, and India’s Most Fearless 3

Books by Rachna Bisht Rawat are almost a must-have for every fauji enthusiast. Through her engaging storytelling and extensive research, she brings alive the courage, sacrifice and personal stories of India's soldiers.

In Kargil: Untold Stories from the War, she takes readers to the battlefields of 1999, sharing moving first-hand accounts of the soldiers who fought the Kargil War and the families whose lives were forever changed by it. In The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories, she recounts the extraordinary tales of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, taking readers through their acts of exceptional courage and valour on the battlefield.

Together, these books make a meaningful gift for anyone who draws inspiration from India's bravest heroes.

From the military origins of everyday expressions to the evolution of India's air defence, the UNFOLDED Series brings fascinating military stories and insights to your loved one’s bookshelf.

UNFOLDED: Fauji Speak on Civvy Street explores the colourful world of military slang, jargon and expressions that have quietly made their way into civilian conversations. Meanwhile, UNFOLDED: India's Air Defence from WWII to Operation Sindoor takes readers into the history of air defence systems, Indian air operations and India's evolving aerial shield.

Another recent addition to this series is UNFOLDED: Operation Safed Sagar—How Air Warriors Fight in the Mountains. This unpacks the extraordinary challenges of Operation Safed Sagar faced by the Indian Air Force during the 1999 Kargil War. It shows how the Indian Air Force adapted its combat strategy under fire in brutal Himalayan terrain.

Buy here: UNFOLDED Combo and UNFOLDED: Operation Safed Sagar

The POW Who Saved Kashmir brings to light the extraordinary life of Brigadier Pritam Singh, MC, fondly remembered as Sher Bachha by the people of Poonch. From escaping Japanese captivity during World War II to defending Poonch during the 1947–48 war, his life reads like a war film. He helped sustain 40,000 refugees through a year-long siege and played a crucial role in the defence of Kashmir. Yet, his later years were marked by injustice and obscurity. For the fauji at heart in your family, this is a story worth gifting.

Buy here: The POW Who Saved Kashmir: Unsung Saga of Sher Bachha Brig Pritam Singh, MC

Imagine hauling heavy artillery guns across steep mountain passes, navigating treacherous trails and barren, roadless frontiers, with mules as the lifeline of an entire fighting force. This is the extraordinary world of Pick of the Army: Guns, Gunners and Mules. The book chronicles the mountain artillery batteries of the British-Indian Army, whose guns and gunners were indispensable to nearly a century of operations on the North-West Frontier. A fascinating gift for anyone who loves military history and forgotten tales of battlefield ingenuity.

Buy here: Pick of the Army: Guns, Gunners and Mules

Ever wondered about the stories behind familiar military traditions, legendary war songs and fascinating battlefield mysteries? In The Curious and the Classified, former Army Chief General Manoj Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, takes readers on an entertaining journey through the lesser-known stories of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

From the origins of 'Chak De Phatte' and the story of Badluram to the legend of Baba Harbhajan and the brave military mule Pedongi, the book is packed with intriguing facts, humour and history. A wonderful gift for the fauji enthusiast who loves discovering the stories behind the uniform.

Buy here: The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries

A book may not come with a uniform, but it can bring you remarkably close to the life behind one. For the soldier at heart, these books offer a little of everything: tales of battlefield valour, forgotten heroes, military traditions and friendships forged in uniform.

So, the next time you're looking for a gift for the fauji enthusiast in your family, skip the usual and pick a story that speaks to their heart. Give them something meaningful, something they can revisit, cherish and proudly add to their bookshelf.

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