Starting from the early days of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the guidanceof Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam toeading the organization himself, G. MadhavanNair has had an eventful tenure at ISRO. Nair’s memoir is not just a chronicle of his ownife, buta tribute to the spirit of innovation and exploration that drives the Indian space programme.This remarkable tale of determination, hard work and unwavering passion begins in a village in Keralafrom the halcyon days of pre-independent India. The sleepless nights in Thumba, the devastationof failures and the subsequentearning, the exhilaration of successes—all of these are captured inthese pages with insight and candour.Nair also describes, in terms accessible to theayman, his scientific and managerial contributionsto theaunch vehicles from SLV-3, building the workhorseauncher PSLV, traversing the path to anindigenous cryogenic engine, bringing an orbiting spacecraft back to Earth and even planting theIndian tricolour on the Moon in Chandrayaan-1.Challenging episodes are also described from an insider’s perspective. Nair describes the ISRO spycase, along with addressing Nambinarayanan’s involvement in it. He also offers a comprehensive andlucid discussion of the Devas Scam, where the battle is still ongoing.Rocketing Through the Skies: An Eventfulife at ISRO is a compelling read that shares a philosophyofife and work thated to great strides in ISRO’s progress over many crucial decades.