Every common man who, through sheer grit and hard work, achieves success should share his story with others, as they may find inspiration and strength in it. Wings of Fire is one such autobiography by visionary scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who rose from humble beginnings to become the President of India. The book is filled with insights, personal moments, and life experiences of Dr. Kalam, offering us a deeper understanding of his journey to success.

By narrating his life journey, Dr. Kalam encourages readers to recognize their own inner fire and potential, as he firmly believed that each one of us is born with the strength and ability to make a tangible change in the world. The book beautifully captures how he inspired himself to achieve his dreams and accomplish so much.

The book recalls many anecdotes and stories from his childhood, school, and college days. His time spent at the Langley Research Center, NASA, and the Wallops Flight Facility is given special attention.

Personal tragedies are also discussed. The time when he lost his father and how he felt when conferred with many awards like the Padma Bhushan are described in detail.

The second half of the book focuses on Dr. Kalam, the scientist, who made a significant contribution to developing the country’s guided missile program, a pioneering effort for national security. It’s not without reason that he was nicknamed the ‘Missile Man of India.’ The book also includes 24 photographs depicting various stages of his life.

Authored by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Mr. Arun Tiwari, the 180-page book Wings of Fire was first published in the year 2000. Mr. Tiwari is a well-known missile scientist who worked with Dr. Kalam. Having become a bestseller, the book has been translated into thirteen languages, including Chinese and French.

About the Author

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. Greatly admired throughout India, he was a scientist by profession and played a leading role in developing the country’s missile program. In his inspirational autobiography, Wings of Fire, he traces his rise from humble roots in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to becoming a national icon.

Mr. Arun Tiwari, a scientist, was a colleague of Dr. Kalam.