In the review of the book Mission Overseas headlined, “Derring-do in the line of duty” (February 28), Ajai Shukla raises the issues involved in dissemination of military history and the pitfalls of doing it poorly. Some more — though probably less significant — issues need to be considered to broaden the debate.
First, almost-live television reporting, especially after the Kargil War, made every viewer an “expert” on military matters, with no need to go into the nitty-gritty of complex issues. Second, respectable military hands have written accounts primarily for their professional peers or soldiers, which would serve as lessons in
