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Summary: FORTHRIGHT! COURAGEOUS!! CONSCIENTIOUS!!!
Review: Reading Lee Kuan Yew's "The Singapore Story" is analogous to swimming in an ocean of enlightenment. It is a unique piece of writing. Candid and down-to-earth, Mr. Yew's memoirs showed that courage, faith, hope, and perseverance are not only enough to transform a man, but an entire nation. Singapore's victories over colonialism and communism showcased this fact. I no longer wonder why Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other top-notchers find this book irresistible.
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Summary: Truly Fascinating Reading!!
Review: Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew proves to not only be a remarkable political figure, but also an insperational leader as well. Not to mention a very distinguished author.
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Summary: Telling it like it is.
Review: So after being in power as both Prime Minister and Senior Minister in the island state, Mr. Lee decides to spill the beans. To paraphrase him, he states that at the age of 75, he isn't very concerned that his frankness would offend. The book itself is filled with intrigue and political maneuvering to wrest control of not only Singapore, but Malaysia as well from the influence of the communists. You may not agree with him, as is your privillege, but you'll see his xenophobia sadly justified in his experience as a British subject, both during the war years and at Cambridge, as well as in the unfortunate outcome of his dealings with racially divided Malaysia. This is a manual on nation building and a definite keeper.
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Summary: Fascinating but biased account of Singapore history
Review: The Singapore Story is a very entertaining read of recent Singapore history, but don't be easily fooled. Readers should be highly wary of the biased nature of the tale, particularly Americans. There are so many wonderful aspects to Singapore that US visitors enjoy seeing: great roads, excellent mass transit, clean cities, decent housing for all, a well considered economy. Yet in the same country third-world labor is exploited (maids, construction workers, legalized prostitutes), paid little relative to Singaporeans and not allowed to stay; the Internal Security Act allows unlimited detainment and search/seizure without charges; limits exist on freedom of speech (particularly if it slanders the government); party controlled media limits critical analysis of the country's function (all news media says the same thing); art and literature are frequently banned. As a result, the country, which is currently struggling to be a "First-World Economy" now sees itself facing a "Creativity Crisis." Is it any wonder that so many educated Singaporeans leave the place if they have the chance? Lee clearly doesn't take responsibility for the dark side of his nation, and it's not clear if he sees the consequences. After all, as he states in his book, he detained some his former associates in jail for years. One can easily learn more at websites like Amnesty International.What is striking about the book is that it reveals quite clearly the nature of Lee's biases. He was wary of communist rule, so he asserted tight controls over the media. He wanted to build the country, so he worked hard to get a one party system in place. The problem today is that Singapore is run as though the communists are still at bay, when this is hardly the case. Lee acknowledges that the Internal Security Act is a remnant of the British colonial rule, but doesn't seem to notice how it has degraded the growth of his own society. If anything, Lee reveals himself to be calculating, dishonest, and cruel, as well as intelligent and an obvious visionary. Where else do you see the opposition having to flee the country for fear of libel lawsuits? True, Singapore by being a one-party system can quickly make changes relative to the US (e.g., immediate bans on cell phones in cars). Yet, until the leadership adopts a non-Lee attitude, the country will always be desparately trying to keep itself afloat. Read this book and you will have one of the most inside accounts of the strengths and weaknesses of a one-party system at its best, and why an open democratic society is still needed today.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, candid and frank
Review: The story of Lee Kuan Yew is a story of Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew showed that with determination, persistance and vision, a small Island state could prospher despite the odds - Singapore, an Island state surrounded by corrupt Islamic countries determined to see Singapore's demise. This book is a must read to the corrupt governments of Malaysia and Indonesia.
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Summary: Bad english ...
Review: the subject is superb. the writing (of the English language) rather poor. Mr Lee should find another editor instead.
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Summary: rather bad english
Review: the subject of the book is great but the english sucks. future authors should be aware that they have to be able to write a book in proper US/British English. "kiasus" might say that it is mr lee's typical writing style but honestly, what more could be expected of a kid who was raised and breed in colonial singapore.......a kid who once adored his british masters. seriously, mr lee should get himself a respected editor in his future writings.
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Summary: Inspiring account of the battle for Singapore
Review: This book is a gripping read and puts you strongly on LKY's side in the battle for freeing Singapore from the grips of the colonial British, the communists and finally the Malaysians. Very eye-opening for those Westerners who can't understand how this society came to be both so modern and remain so authoritarian. Full of personal honesty and insight. LKY is one of the most amazing statespersons this century and is certainly one with incredible political skill - Singapore couldn't be half the country it is today without him. To have coexisted with communists in his party for 10 years and to still have kept his integrity took an inordinate amount of personal character - a strength which has served Singapore enormously well. However, one complaint I have is that Mr. Lee does not provide a lot of personal insight into what drove him in the battle for Singapore - nowhere in the book does he talk about how or why his love for a free Singapore became so strong, and there is not a lot of insight into the source of his own strengths (of which there are many) and weaknesses (of which he has a few). He seems to have picked up views early on which have never lessened, even as times have changed - for example, he admits that he learned the importance of strong penalties for crimes from his experiences during the Japanese occupation in World War II, yet 50 years on Singapore is the country in the world with the highest number of executions per capita, even more than China - is it really still as important for the country to be as authoritarian now as the Japanese were in wartime? Also, although Mr. Lee owns up to his mistakes along the way quite openly, he doesn't provide his personal motives behind his long struggle, his feelings for his actions and friends, even when he was clearly overcame as in his breakdown during his independence press conference in August 1965, and the reasons why he was so much more perceptive and successful than other leaders. I hope to see more introspection in the second volume. A wonderful read, nonetheless.
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Summary: Great historical look at Modern Singapore
Review: This book will make it as crystal as possible how Singapore came to prominence in the world stage.
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Summary: Part One of Two Volumes
Review: This volume is childhood up to Singapore's dumping by Malaysia.
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