From Third World to First : the Singapore story, 1965-2000 : memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew

The Singapore Story is the first volume of the memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew; the man who planted the island state of Singapore firmly on the map of the world. It was first published in 1999. In intimate detail; Lee recounts the battles against colonialists; communists and communalists that led to Singapore's independence. With consummate political skill; he countered adversaries; sometimes enlisting their help; at others opposing them; in the single-minded pursuit of Singapore's interests. We read how he led striking unionists against the colonial government; how over tea and golf he fostered ties with key players in Britain and Malaya; of secret midnight meetings in badly lit rooms; drinking warm Anchor beer with a communist underground leader; of his purposeful forging of an alliance with communists to gain the support of the Chinese-educated masses. Readers will find inspiration in his tenacity as he fought for the people's hearts and minds against first the communists and later the communalists – in parliament; on the streets and through the media. Drawing on unpublished Cabinet papers; archives in Singapore; Britain; Australia; New Zealand and the United States; as well as personal correspondence; he gives us a vivid picture of how others viewed him: determined (“Lee will bluff; bully and blackmail up to the eleventh hour”); motivated (“Choo knew I sweated blood to master Hokkien”); ambitious (“He would think himself as legitimate as I was to be the leader of Malaya”); dangerous (“Crush Lee! Put him inside”). It is a sometimes controversial yet strangely consistent portrait of this Asian statesman. These experiences and his dealings with the political leaders were to shape his views and policies; which have had a major impact on Singapore and the region. Quote: “More than a decade ago Lee Kuan Yew's two-volume autobiography opened many eyes and minds to the astounding Singapore success story. The new digital editions should expand the audience and deepen the understanding even more.” -- Professor Tom Plate; author of “Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew'