The central premise behind author Rajesh Talwar’s book cannot be faulted. The choices we make impact on our future in a very profound manner. It could be the choice we make with respect to a career, buying a certain piece of property, choosing a retirement destination or even making that all important choice of a life partner. As the poet wrote ‘Pal mein faisla hua, sadiyon ne sazaa payi’ In other words – my choices were made in a second, but the consequences lasted for ages.

This book is not necessarily an easy read (because you have to use your brain while reading it), but at the same time it is very readable as mentioned in a recent review of this book in The Statesman, following which I decided to make the purchase.

The English have a famous saying about how ‘Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread.’ Early on in this book Mr Talwar warns anyone contemplating litigation to think over the issue carefully.  Negotiation might be a far better option, saving time, money and much heartburn. As someone who has studied the subject at Harvard, (while also practising law and working for the United Nations) Talwar understands this very well. Even filing a simple application under the Right to Information Act might yield faster and better results and the author gives several real life examples in which this has happened. If you rush to court to sue your opponent instead of thinking over the matter calmly, you might easily fall into the clutches of an unscrupulous lawyer who is only out to fleece you and milk you dry.

The book is divided into two segments. The issue of choosing the right lawyer for your case is dealt with in the first part and how to ‘win’ your case in the second part. Expectedly, the second part makes for fascinating reading. Everyone wants to know how following a certain legal strategy can result in victory or defeat. Talwar also makes it clear that choosing the right lawyer is only part of the story behind winning your case –although it is an important part of the story. Everyone needs to take responsibility. The book gives many real life examples from the author’s own life, where following a certain legal strategy made all the difference. There are several references to the strategies of other lawyers too, including in several high profile cases in the past year or so. Read the book to find out about those, and about how best to protect your interest. No spoilers here!