In the book, she talks about how corporate lobbies and political interests often scuttle effective resolution of environmental issues as recounts some major controversies triggered by research undertaken by her, along with her team at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), such as "the pesticides in colas report, air pollution research in Delhi, endosulfan research in Karnataka", among others.

The book includes an "environmental manifesto" in which Narain lays out a blueprint for the direction India must take, if it is to deal with the exigencies of climate change and environmental degradation.

"This book is personal. It is about my struggles to push for a cleaner environment, from battling the cola giants to diesel interests to mindsets that do not accept different ways of doing business, to managing forests, wildlife, even water.

"The book is also about the ideas I have learnt, about what will succeed. What can be a blueprint for a cleaner and more secure tomorrow? Today, when the world looks at an uncertain future because of climate change, and we, in India, look at the poison in our water or our food or our air, we need to know how to move ahead...." she said.

Narain, who had been with the CSE since 1982, is currently its Director General.