Book Title: From 3Rd World To 1St: Singapore Story
ISBN: 9789812049841
By Author(s):Lee Kuan Yew
By Publisher:MARSHALL CAVENDISH
Format:HC
Few gave tiny Singapore much chance of survival when independence was thrust upon it in 1965. Today, the former British trading post is a thriving Asian metropolis with the world''s fourth highest per capita income. The story of that transformation is told here by Singapore''s charismatic, controversial founding father Lee Kuan Yew. From Third World to First continues where the bestselling first volume, The Singapore Story , left off, and brings up to date the story of Singapore''s dramatic rise.
Lee writes frankly about his trenchant approach to political opponents and his often unorthodox views on human rights, democracy and inherited intelligence, aiming always ''to be correct, not politically correct''. Nothing about Singapore escaped his watchful eye: whether choosing shrubs for roadsides, restoring the romance of historic Raffles Hotel or persuading young men to marry women as well-educated as themselves. Today''s safe, tidy Singapore certainly bears his stamp, but as he writes, ''If this is a nanny state, I am proud to have fostered one.''
Lee''s domestic canvas in Singapore was small, but his vigour and talent assured him a larger place in world affairs, which he writes about in inimitable style. He brings history to life with his cogent analysis of strategic issues, and candid, sometimes acerbic, pen-portraits of people he met, including the indomitable Margaret Thatcher, hearty Ronald Reagan and poetry-quoting Jiang Zemin.
Lee also lifts the veil on his family life and writes of wife and partner Kwa Geok Choo and their pride in their three children, including elder son Hsien Loong, now Singapore''s prime minister.
Like the man, the first volume of the memoirs has been both praised and vilified, but proved impossible for all interested in Asian politics to ignore. From Third World to First offers readers an even more compelling mix of political insight and intrigue.