Product Description

The long-awaited, provocative memoirs of the leader of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew.
British colonial rule, Japanese occupation, Communist insurrection, riots, and independence.
How an impoverished, tiny nation with no natural resources became a leading player in the world economy.
An Asian best-seller, now available for the first time in the United States. Visionary? Authoritarian? Model for the West? Lee Kuan Yew, the long-time leader of Singapore, has been called all these things, and more. In these vivid memoirs, Lee takes a profoundly personal look back at the events that led to Singapores independence and shaped its struggle for success. And, as always, he lets the chips fall where they may. Youll be with Lee as he leads striking unionists against the colonial government; shares tea and rounds of golf with key players in Britain and Malaya; and drinks warm Anchor beer with leaders of the communist underground at secret midnight meetings. From British colonial rule through Japanese occupation in World War II, Communist insurrection, riots, independence -- and the struggles that followed -- few political memoirs anywhere have been this blunt, or this fascinating.
Kuan Yew Lee is the Senior Minister of the Government of Singapore, and former Prime Minister. He is universally recognized as the man who transformed Singapore into the modern nation it has become.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #927101 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 680 pages

About the Author
Kuan Yew Lee is the Senior Minister of the Government of Singapore, and former Prime Minister. He is universally recognized as the man who transformed Singapore into the modern nation it has become.

Customer Reviews

Not very compelling
Although certain portions manage to be engaging and do present an illuminating view of Singapore's recent history, on the whole, it simply remains a 680-page shrine to the author's own ego and reputation, deftly down-playing the efforts (and objections) of other politicians of the era whose contributions to Singapore are certainly no less than that of the author's. The book also frequently descends to being a loudspeaker through which Mr. Lee, in the confort of his old age, may expound on his (numerous) half-baked philosophies on life and politics, as well as lash out at his old adverseries. One might argue, of course, that these writings are after all supposed to be his "memoirs" and as such must present his personal view on the events of his life. However, if viewed from that angle, then the book never really gets anywhere at all.

A candid and critical look at the history of Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew is one of the most misunderstood leaders in the world. "Helicopter" journalists, on 3 day visits, without appreciation of local conditions think that all societies can be governed the same way. Even foreigners who reside in Singapore do not appreciate how each society can be very different beneath the veener of the skyscrapers in an urban society. Lee does not subscribe to "isms" but views society in the necessary harsh light of social Darwinism. All these are evident from his book. This is a very candid and critical look at a certain period of the Singapore history of which he was the main player, though not the only one, as he himself acknowledges in the book. The battles he fought againt (the colonialists, the chauvinists, the communalists, the communists), the qualities he personified (hard work, integrity, trust, discipline, courage, leadership, imagination)and the policies he pursued (free market, strong defence, meritocracy, social cohesion, clean government, emphasis on education) all have stood Singapore well and are now making it stand out in a region ravaged by economic turmoil. This book is therefore very important for politicians. It teaches that good government is hard work but that once entrusted with the people's will to govern, politicians must do away with easy and populist measures and govern with intelligence, integrity and imagination.

A note to the reader from Macau (posted 26 July 1999)
It might be of interest to you to know that Lee Kuan Yew's writing style was deliberately adapted and simplified to reach not just scholars, but a larger audience: the general public, and more specifically, the younger generation of Singaporeans. If you have read his speeches, you will know that he is exceptionally eloquent and known for being adept at the English language.

Perhaps the greater purpose that the Senior Minister had in mind was that this book will become a text that is found in every history classroom in Singapore, although it will undoubtedly be dissected by scholars as well.

Lee Kuan Yew's straight-forward style of writing conveyed historic facts, his political analysis, and acute judgment of people and circumstances with clarity, which was not to be clouded by style.