Sirmooree #80

127 implies, ‘Essays on Nepal’ brings together several previously published, fascinating articles and essays based on these experiences and his research. It is by no means a commonplace collection of topics. There are commentaries about the Maoists, historical pieces about the history of British Army recruiting in Nepal, and several reports about events in the Northern borderlands, for example the Indian troop and police deployments to the high passes between Nepal and Tibet in 1952 and a curious confrontation in 1960 between Chinese troops and unarmed Nepalese in Mustang. There are articles on the monarchy, about the Chinese treatment of soldiers from Indian Army Gorkha regiments in the 1962 Sino-Indian war, and various pieces about the 2015 earthquake, corruption in Nepal, and freedom of information. He writes with all the energy and enthusiasm that made him such a successful Army officer. This, together with his personal engagement with people and issues and the assiduousness of his research, brings clarity to many of what another reviewer described as ‘Nepal’s complicated truths’. His senior military experience gives him a uniquely well-informed perspective on grand strategic issues such as frontiers, human rights abuses, corruption in high places and the misjudgements of Nepal’s rulers. His book is very interesting not only because of its content (which greatly expanded my understanding of Nepal and what goes on there) but also because it is written in a purposeful and compelling style that makes it a compulsive read. The book was published in Nepal in 2018 but is difficult and expensive to obtain direct from Himal Books in Kathmandu. Details on how to get a copy in the UK (direct from General Sam himself) were posted on the Sirmoor Club noticeboard (http://2ndgoorkhas.com/sra-sirmoor-club-noticeboard/ ) on 24 th November 2018. NJHH www.2ndGoorkhas.com