About the Author
Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore on 16 September 1923, a third-generation descendant of immigrants from China’s Guangdong province. He read law at Cambridge University, England. In 1954, he formed the People’s Action Party. Five years later, the PAP won the Singapore general election and he became Prime Minister at age 35. He stepped down in November 1990 and assumed the post of Senior Minister until 2004. He was Minister Mentor till his retirement in May 2011. Lee passed away on 23 March 2015.
This student edition of The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew is a shortened version of the original edition of The Singapore Story, the first volume of Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs published in 2008. It covers all the significant moments in the life of Singapore’s first prime minister, in his own words, and dispenses with passages that do not directly concern Singapore.
The book:
- Traces Lee’s boyhood, his Japanese Occupation experience, his four years in England as a student when his political views took shape, and his work preparing for the launch of the People’s Action Party
- Describes how Lee and his colleagues worked in a united front with the communists, won the elections, became the government, and finally broke with the communists and fought against them
- Details the troubles Lee and his colleagues faced from communal intimidation and domination by the Malay extremists in Malaysia until Singapore was asked to leave Malaysia and become independent on 9 August 1965
GwydionM –
This is an easy to read yet informative and enlighteneing book, especially if you’re interested in how good politics work. The story of how an English speaking Cambridge educated ‘Straits Chinese’ man who did even speak the local languages grew up through WWII to become the founder of a city/state is quite amazing and speaks highly of his drive and foresight. The book also provides a fascinating insight into the relationships between the Malays and Indonesians surrounding the tiny port-city/state of Singapore. Interesting to note, Mr. Lee is still in the background as Prime Minister ‘mentor’, to no less than his son, the current Prime Minister.
While some may argue that his government is not the totally free ‘democratic’ government of the idealists, it is difficult to argue the safety, security, economic progress and prosperity Singapore has enjoyed in the relatively short time of it’s existence; and almost all due to the efforts and vision of one individual.
mogarian –
Interesting description about he rose to power, partly in alliance with the Malayan Communist Party, but able in the end to get the better of them.
Very interesting about the different communities, including several different sorts of Chinese, some English educated, some educated in Mandarin and some speaking Hokkien, a separate Chinese dialect.
Jason Carter –
This is the first volume of Lee Kwan Yew’s autobiography, telling the story of his life in great detail, beginning with the brutal occupation of Singapore by the Japanese in WWII and ending with the unlikely declaration of independence from Malaysia in 1965, after less than two years of unification.
Yew’s masterful navigation of interracial politics (Singapore is 40% Malaysian, 40% Chinese, and 20% various other minorities), separation from colonial power, confrontation and eventual defeat of the communists, and deft handling of political rivals is instructive.
I mostly bought this book for volume 2, From Third World to First, which will trace Singapore’s rise to global commerce giant from inauspicious beginnings. Can’t wait to get started!
Anthony –
Have yet to finish the book!
Mona Chau –
Good
sh1nxx (verified owner) –
Good Very fast delivery.