My Comeback Trail

by Manish Kumar

It is the tale of triumph of the indefatigable human spirit against all odds. The spirit that refuses to bow down in subservience to injustice and raises its head in reverence to itself.

Excerpts from the book:
Most of the world’s greats have suffered silently in solitary confinements, Gandhi for six and Mandela for twenty-seven years. It led to their transformation. The seed of greatness buried deep in their souls got the time and environment to germinate after the gestation period. It’s like phototropism—the greatness seed germinates in the dark dungeons of the icy cell and gravitates towards the light of truth to flourish and be free forever. Cocooned in the close confines of the cell, the caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly. The transformation is permanent and irreversible.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 23

About the author

Manish Kumar, Air Force veteran pilot is a powerful, internationally known speaker, trainer, consultant, writer, and publisher who walks his talk. In his keynote speeches, he shares his quick and accurate thinking as a pilot, and demonstrates how to rise in most difficult times and live life with conviction.
He is an alumnus of NDA and XLRI and the author of the best-selling book "Be Your Own Pilot" which is being appreciated internationally.

He is impaneled as the Mental Training Expert of Sports Authority of India for the mental conditioning of Olympic athletes and other sportsmen. He is also an internationally recognized Motivational Speaker and has spoken to the executives of Fortune 500 companies like Reliance Jio, SBI, HPCL, IOC, M&M, MNC-Crowe Horwath, to the trainee officers of State Judicial Academy, Indian Institute of Coal Management, Institute of Cost Accountancy and also to students of various colleges, institutes and schools including Salmiya Indian Model School, Kuwait.

He has appeared on Doordarshan, Inner Child Radio (US), AIR, Radio Dhoom, Dhamaal, Mantra, and BIG FM. He is on the editorial board of the magazine FLY HIGH and he writes a motivational column in the newspaper.
He was awarded the Chief of Air Staff Commendation medal for rescuing the lives of 12people in Search and Rescue missions.

Reviews

[Aakanksha Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manish Kumar's latest book, My Comeback Trail, is a deeply emotional and inspiring story about overcoming personal and professional setbacks. The author shares his journey through difficult times in school, including the challenges he faced in NDA and the Air Force and the lessons he learned along the way, especially when he was in the mental asylum.

Overall, it is a likable read for those seeking inspiration and guidance during difficult times. It's a reminder that setbacks are a natural part of life and that with hard work and perseverance, it is possible to overcome them and come out stronger on the other side.

Read the detailed review here - Books Charming

[Vivek Kamthan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Comeback Trail: Autobiography or Fiction?

This is the question asked to me by a close friend when I recommended this book by Manish. His query was more due to the book being produced as a movie. So, in reply I told him to read his first book, ‘Be Your Own Pilot’ and that’s the advice I would like to give to all readers and bibliophiles. There is a reason for me to say so and that being, to develop a connect with the author. With the first book you will realise the value and passion attached by Manish to his two loves of life FLYING and SAPNA. To give up both due to some misunderstandings and still being able to not only stand strong on both of his feet but also to shape countless lives, talks about the strength of character of the person. So what, if the story sounds like fiction because dear friends sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
Manish has taken me on a roller coaster ride of emotions through his book and I could relate with him as I was posted in the same unit and thus, I make a cameo in the book somewhere as myself (he took permission from me of course). This I can guarantee to all the readers that it would be almost impossible to not become emotional as one goes through the book but there will be no feeling of anger or angst towards anyone. This is an art available with only few authors not to demonise the negative characters of the story as they were merely playing their part and doing what they thought was correct, afterall each one of them were his colleagues and were acting in best interest of service as they were trained. After having gone through the book I could see few of my erstwhile colleagues not entirely nodding their collective heads in agreement but that’s just too bad; this is his story and he has already written it. So, if anyone now wants to produce a counterpoint he can go ahead and publish his own book.
I read the book twice. As a voracious reader I had developed this habit of reading very fast as it lets me to finish more books in my busy schedule. First reading of this book took me very short time and I went about the task as if I am reading any fiction book. For me if anyone can make an Autobiography as interesting as fiction then he deserves serious accolades. The only other book which comes a close second is by a genius guru named Jack Welch in ‘Straight from the Gut’. The second time I took long time savouring it and living the life of MANISH. The experience had left me shaken and truly speaking friends even if you go through the journey to hell and back you may miss some of the pain points. If you think I am exaggerating then I challenge you to just visualise this…….
• House burnt
• Parents in imminent danger
• Profession in jeopardy
• Son and wife separated
• Personally humiliated
• Financially ruined
• Health spoiled
It takes the entire core resolve and huge strength to climb out of a deep pit after all of this, but to survive this hell hole and come out shining is extraordinary. Manish has seen some very troubled times which could have broken him but he had survived and achieved success. The thing about success is that you can never be parachuted on the top pedestal but you have to claw your way to the top and Manish had done precisely that. This is the story of a boy who had grown into a man on his own terms and survived. He was betrayed, beaten, brandished but never broken. It is the story of his fighting indomitable spirit.
There is a danger when one writes an autobiography. People tends to aggrandize the positive points and portrays negatives insipidly. Here the credit goes to Manish for keeping the narrative evenly poised he did not hero’ed his success and also did not hid his characteristic weaknesses even though there were few and puts him in negative shade. Kudos to Manish for achieving ‘Literary Nirvana’. Not many people would have the guts to do so.
The review of this book would be incomplete if I don’t talk about the structuring of the book. In any auto-biography it is very important to keep the structure tight and not let the attention of the reader waver, he has succeeded in it. Full points and credit must be given to the author and the editing team. At one place where the credit goes to Manish alone is the language and narrative. Till I read this book, I was under the impression that no interesting and fast paced book can be written in First Person I am glad that I was proven wrong by Manish. So here I am appealing to Manish now to write another book soon.
P.S. I also want to tell some of the points which I did not like about the book. Firstly, the book was too short for my liking after finishing the book I felt still parched secondly, with due apologies to the creative team and cover designer; I am not a fan of the cover.
Now my verdict: GO FOR THE BOOK.

[Pallavi Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a statement , it is probably the easiest way to get to know the author in the shortest time possible. His attitude towards life and all the people who made it miserable for him will tell you a lot about his character . It is very difficult to forget and forgive and choose to move on and remake your life from scratch rather than letting wounds fester. Wouldn’t it have been easier if he had written a story about how the system broke his spirit instead ?
Yes the story is controversial and explosive but isn’t life stranger than fiction?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this brave book that dealt with topics that are very close to my heart. It made me rediscover the author and see him in a new light - applauding his strength and his never say die attitude. I hope this book reaches a multitude of people and helps guide them on their journeys in life- through the good, bad and ugly. If you thought you’ve had it tough, wait till you read this book and rediscover the meaning of forgiveness and the ability to bounce back from fall backs. You will learn to appreciate the power of the mind and the unbroken spirit of the author and hopefully learn something from his life like I have.
Congratulations for having written such an excellent book that I cannot wait to place on my bookshelf and re read to learn from your life experiences. You have made so much more of your life than what was thrown at you ! I am both in awe and shock after having read this book.

[Dr Maitri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book all emotions juxtaposed so travelled through different frame of mind and remain connected and glued while reading...moment of Motivation, Passion,Love,Logic, Pride,Grief, Sorrow,Joy, Cheerfulness,Sensation, Victory, Defeat...all hues of life weaved so vividly,that one can see oneself in that visuals and imaginery...Developed empathy for mother and family... Can be adapted as a movie by incorporating cosmetic changes.
Workplace Ostracism is a big reality in all sectors, requires to be addressed properly for overall well beigness of society at a large,as it has spill over effects and can run or ruin many lives...many other incidents mentioned in this book are eye opening which are also required to be taken care of for healthy humanity & society or to say merely for survival & existence...
Book is an excellent masterpiece from the author,but reader expect sequel of this book 📚 to get to know survival and revival strategy in depth.Readers also expect dots to be connected,to do complete justice with each and every character.Appreciate this genre of work.
Salute to you Sq Leader Manish for Indomitable Spirit & Will and a Big Salute to the family for Sailing through this Storm & being the warrior of this Saga!
Stay Blessed and Evolve ! More Power to you.
Congratulations ! Best wishes for future endeavours 🙏

[Nupur Sahay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading it... in one go. The only other book I had ever finished in one sitting was " Be your own Pilot". There is something compelling about this author, be it the gripping plot or his writing acumen, he won't let u put down the book unless u read it from cover to cover. This journey of a soldier to hell and back gives hope to all those whose existence gets shaken up by not meeting sales target in office, not scoring well in exams or having an argument with spouse. It will not only give u courage to fight back when u r down but will serve as a plank to hold on to saying "this too shall pass". Once u finish reading it, this book will remain with u forever giving hope "If he can survive and come out with flying colours so can I".

[Nivedita Kunwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My comeback trail"
This is a masterpiece!
The sophistication of this book is its simplicity! If someone has given up on his/her dreams due to setbacks, failures, uncertainities then this book will help them to make a Comeback in their life along with their dreams. The story, the way Manish Sir has expressed the ways to accept setbacks as a challenge and use them as stairs to make a comeback is amazing!
Thanks Manish Sir for this creation!! It will help many to overcome their odds and make a comeback!

[Amit Rajbansh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need inspiration, Read this book;
If you are feeling low, Read this book;
If you feel like giving up, Read this book;
If you think you are under pressure, Read this book

I am so happy this book was written and I am sure this will be a major blockbuster very soon!

[Khyati Gautam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Comeback Trail by Squadron Leader Manish Kumar is a tale of the victory of the human spirit against all odds. It is a story of a man rising against his temptations, failures, mistakes, and more to come back to living his life with renewed vigour and passion.

This memoir traces the tumultuous journey of Kumar’s life where he ends up losing his job, the people he loved the most, and his sanity. He lost his reputation, was humiliated at the hands of his seniors, and was pushed to the verge of insanity. And while Kumar’s professional life went down a spiral with his deteriorating mental health, his personal life shattered too. This took a collective toll on his well-being.

The book takes into account his rocky life journey and how he did manage to get back on his feet. While it might not entirely sound inspirational, the story is interesting enough to keep one hooked to it. The dramatic twists and turns are intriguing and the fact that things have happened for real is more fascinating. What I admire is how Kumar has raised the topic of stigmatising mental health.

The writing is simple, lucid, and comprehensible for every segment of the reader. Narration is smooth and follows a linear path without any detours. It could be seen as a story that shows how difficult it can get to stand for one’s values but how rewarding it could be to stick by one’s value systems.

[Vidhya Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Comeback Trail by Squadron Leader Manish Kumar is his journey of the challenges he faced throughout his career and how he bounced back stronger. Manish who lost everything in his life, his job, career, family, friends, and Social Status, found comfort in talking to his Boss, Shiva! He would always let out his fears to Shiva and would find peace in Meditation. With each chapter, the read was getting intense as he the incidents that shook him up, and how he took charge of his life. The people he met, his postings, his days at mental Asylum, his fight with depression and most importantly how Books motivated him and showed him a way when the path was invisible. The lessons he learned from those books and how they helped him. You’ll find some great boom recommendations here.

His journey will give you goosebumps and will inspire you to not give up and to fight till you win. With a simple gripping narrative and engaging writing style, one could relate to Manish’s journey and the emotional turmoil he goes through.

He had many twists and turns in life, and he doesn’t hesitate to express it all. He shares about his insecurities, his defeats and how life started falling into place and he found a new path and all the people he met taught him a lesson.

One could feel the honesty in his words and the pain he goes through. The road he chooses for himself is not easy and the way he tackles the situations will motivate the readers.

As the blurb says, it’s a tale of trials, tribulations and triumphs of the indefatigable human spirit against all odds. The spirit that refuses to bow down in subservience to injustice and raises its head in reverence to itself.

An inspiring read that you can count on!

[Sohinee Reads & Reviews (Bookarlo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like any other Indian who holds great admiration for the Indian Army and Indian Airforce, I respect and admire their love for our country.

I had always wanted to read a first-person account of what life really is like as an Airforce pilot. The grit and determination that it takes to follow that journey is not only challenging but also sucks the life out of a person and to maintain a stability in this profession is even more challenging. All in all, it can be said that the euphoria of clearing the examinations is only shortlived. Nevertheless, the hardwork does pay off when one gets to serve for the country.

The author, a veteran Indian Airforce Pilot, didn’t mince his words while narrating his journey in My Comeback Trail. He kept it true and talked about all the glorious bits as well as the not so glorious parts of his journey.

While going through the 210 pages, I could feel all the emotions at different chapters as the author progressed through different stages in both his personal and professional life. From optimism, love, loss, anguish, pain, anger, sadness, loneliness, happiness, tranquility to every possible emotion known to humankind was evident in the perfectly constructed sentences. These emotions acted as the perfect catalyst to evoke a sense of attachment to the story for me.

Although the chapters aren’t exactly ordered in any particular sequence with respect to the author’s life, the book follows the author at his most eventful stages in his life. From soaring high to reaching a pinnacle in his life and then gradually succumbing to defeat and again catapulting to reach his absolute best self, it really does define the title of the book, My Comeback Trail. Indeed a comeback it was!

What could easily have been a boring anecdote on life as an airforce pilot turned out to be an engaging and captivating read with the author’s masterful weavery of words.

I absolutely loved the writing style! Not going to lie, I didn’t expect the language usage to be this good when I first decided to read the book. The chapters being short kept me hooked throughout the entire story. The Divine Awakening and Shiva: My Eternal Boss were two chapters that were particularly fascinating to me. The brief conversation with Shiva and the incidents that followed thereafter although were a little unbelievable for me, did add a new dimension to the overall plot.

If you are someone looking to get a peek into the life of an Indian Airforce Pilot or are looking for a motivational book to read, then My Comeback Trail is perfect for you.

[Kevin Mallik · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Comeback Trail by Manish Kumar is a superbly written memoir about his life as a soldier in the Indian Air Force. After Sainik School education, he joined the NDA, and became a pilot in the Indian Air Force. He loved flying. However, life wasn’t a cakewalk for him at his base.
If you read the book carefully, besides the life-changing events, you will find that the author was a victim of internal prejudice and envy. He was doing well at his level. But some of his seniors didn’t like him. Thus, from time and again, he was harassed and comments were made at him, stirring a bout of self-doubt.
As an officer Manish Kumar was proactive and carried his duty with good will. He wasn’t any sort of sycophant. He didn’t want to be in good books of others by pleasing them. And this didn’t go well with many. The book carefully points out many such events, encounters, and circumstances that were internally staging hostile uncertainties against him.
For millions of youths in India, air force pilot is a dream-like career but would you believe that an elite officer was beaten, sedated, and kept arrested for no obvious reasons. No matter who you are and where you work, life tests you with pain, misery, and conspiracies. His story is fortitude of his mettle, he was declared invalid kept in psychiatric ward for months away from his family, especially his son. He endured all without caring for the external responses. Manish had the option of becoming a ground duty officer, but he didn’t choose that. Flying was his pride and he stuck to it.
The narrative is compact, tight and strictly follows events one after another. However, the biggest win and comeback for the author is that he didn’t give up. On one side he narrated the agonies of his personal life in the Indian Air Force; on the other hand, he spun tales of valour, love, hope, inspiration from his early days of life that was a good time. Despite all the trials and tribulations, the book eventually turns hopeful and triumphant.

[Dr. Neel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book. A must read especially for the younger generation who should get sensitized towards sufferings and failures. They will eventually be empowered to overcome the fear of failure. A gripping story of the challenges that life throws at us and how the Author has risen through it like a Phoenix.
A touching transformational thought The Power of Giving, Forgiving and the Power of Prayer speaks a lot about the Author.
I can say that the Book is 'Gripping and Mesmerizing'. I read it multiple times and it is going to be a part of my Bookshelf. I started this book and I just could not keep it leave without finishing. The author absorbs you so beautifully into his book through his life journey, from an underdog feeling to a feeling of free-spirited and empowered self. It has all the elements of a must-read book with smooth Flow with gripping Flair and Empowering Thoughts. The simplicity of the language and the amazing quotes augment and define the Author’s emotions and thoughts.
In the entire book the author drives all humans to understand the meaning and value of life and pushes one and all to live it to the fullest by creating own terms of life. One thing all will feel after finishing the book “The Comeback Trail” is that the Author who in spite of being a great professional, a dedicated son and a Loving Family Man, has undergone immense mental and physical torture and yet emerged victorious defeating all his mental and real-life demons.

I will say it is an Amazing Book written with passion and total immersion. A Must Read for all. May God inspire one and all through this creation of "Fighter and Author"

[Ankita Hundekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly A Must Read!!!



Firstly, I regret not coming across a book like this sooner in my reading journey because this book has become so close to my heart.

Imagine you're busy serving a country but your house is on fire and your family is devasted. Can that pain ever be felt without witnessing it? The way author talks about his father's discipline is mind blowing and even his contribution towards the nation and our society is immense. And the way he narrates his love story is also beautiful. Their love for lord Shiva is also highlighted.

But more than any of this, at some point in book, author talks about what happens when your integrity and honesty is questioned and that part is my favourite as it motivated me in a lot of ways. Author also talks about the God himself had saved him. Overall, this book is engaging and motivating.

No matter what has happened, this book will definitely kindle a spark and I truly loved the way author has penned the book and kept it so simple and upto mark..

Hats off! Truly!!!

[Nitesh Rawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Comeback Trail" by Manish Kumar is a mesmerising memoir. Which beautifully traces out the victory of human against all odds. I was totally amazed with the way this book unfolded for me. It contains a true life narration of a man who goes through uncertain situation in his life and foughted like a warrior and emerge as a winner.

The book is unputdownable and undoubtedly a masterpiece. You will feel inspired and amazed at the same time. And doesnt realize the fact that when this book turns into a inspiring read . Moreover it will give you goosebumps as you goes through it and kept on flipping pages to know what comes next?

The language of the book is lucid and remarkable with brilliant usage of vocabulary. I love the way it was narrated. Cover of the book goes well to the book. Overall it was an encouraging and inspirational read for me. And I wholeheartedly , recommend this book to all the lovely readers.

Must read❤❤

[JITHIN MADHU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Amazing book by Sqn Ldr Manish. A must read. A book that says Life is not just achieving dreams its about handling many more things. The defeat, failure, depression, loss which hit you so hard that you lose the path and then you need to find yourself with all your strength you have to rise from the ashes like a Phoenix.
A soldier will definitely relate whole incident in this book.
No matter what no one should ever give up on truth. The ultimate winner is the truth at-last.
And they say, THE COMEBACK IS ALWAYS STRONGER THAN THE SETBACK

[Shrishti Bapat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and well written book. A gripping story of the challenges that life throws at us and how Manish has risen through it like a Phoenix.
I especially loved the thought, *The Power of Giving, Forgiving and the Power of Prayer*
A must read especially for the younger generation who have a very low threshold towards suffering and failure or rather the fear of failure. Hats off Manish. More power to you...👍👍

[Summi Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book, had a great time reading it. Would definitely recommend to everyone.

[Awadhesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational, enriched with wisdom and real life experiences. Must read