Invincibility, Challenges and Leadership is a product of a thorough study and understanding of history, combined with the author s extensive personal and professional experience in the army and government. K. V. Krishna Rao has used his wide-ranging research and experience to give the reader an over-view of the development and rise of a few civilisations and empires in the course of human history, and to examine the reasons for their downfall. He takes an in-depth look at the causes and consequences of major wars in the twentieth century; and the progress of the wars, explaining the course and impact of major battles fought. The author then closely looks at the life and role of major political and military rulers, to illustrate the development of these great leaders and examine the impact they had on events. These examples are used to identify the role of leadership in defining events, the characteristics and virtues of good leadership, and the consequences of the presence of these leaders in directing events. As the author notes, to be effective leaders, or even good citizens, an understanding of history is vital, since that gives us an opportunity to learn from the past, and the chance to prevent repeating mistakes. This book clearly demonstrates this fact, by merging lessons from history and discussions about possible future challenges. This book is a must-read for those interested in world and military history, for current and future leaders and for an understanding of the development and qualities of leadership. General Krishna Rao successfully served for forty-one years in the Army and eleven years as Governor, during a crucial period in the sensitive northeastern states and twice in Jammu and Kashmir. During his tenure as Governor, he brought the disturbed situation due to insurgency in the Northeast under full control. In Jammu and Kashmir which went through a turbulent proxy war, he was instrumental in restoring normalcy, holding credible elections and restoring democracy, after President s rule for seven years. During World War II, he served in Burma, the North-West Frontier and Baluchistan. Thereafter, he was deeply involved in the first war against Pakistan in the Rajauri-Poonch area in 1947 48, the second war against Pakistan in 1965 in the Ladakh area where the Chinese also carried out some aggressive moves, and the 1971 war in East Pakistan, leading to the liberation of Bangladesh. He was awarded the highest award Param Vishisht Seva Medal for displaying outstanding leadership, courage, determination and drive during the war.