Compartmentalised into four broad sections, the sleek hardback holds up a mirror to the human aspects of aviation.

On the eastern front, operations had begun early on Saturday, December 4. The combat fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) established air superiority in 48 hours; the instrument of surrender was signed at Dacca on December 16. The transport and helicopter fleet played a crucial role in the swift victory. The story of transport operations in the east is little known despite being the first—and only—major airborne assault operation in the history of the IAF. Even less known is the saga of sacrifice, sagacity and determination on the part of IAF helicopter pilots who operated against heavy odds. The successful campaign ought to rank in the annals of military history as a tribute to the helicopter and transport fleet of the IAF.

A collection of straight from the heart articles, the treatise covering a wide range of topics based on the author’s experiences spanning four decades of serving in the Indian Air Force has been penned with a passion. But why the quaint title? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, in Greek and Roman mythology, muse denotes each of the nine goddesses, who inspire poetry, music and so on; also, a source of inspiration for creativity. The alternate meaning in the literary sense is to ponder or reflect, gaze or speak meditatively. Admittedly, all the attributes of the muse, in some form or the other, find an echo in the book, distilling the author’s vast and varied experience into a kaleidoscope of ideas and events that have helped evolve the air force through its transition to an aerospace power.