Rating: 
Summary: The Singapore Story
Review: Well worth the read. Although I did find the sequencing a little hard to follow (as it was not chronological), events were sometime presented in a choppy format - that made things harder to follow (in a sort of cause and effect paradigm).There is much criticism that this is one-sided. Yes, that is always true of any one author (particularly autobiographical). In order to gain a clear perspective, you must seek multiple sources in order to form well rounded opinions. This book is not a definitive historical source, rather I would say it serves the reader best as an inspirational account of one person's committment to pursuing their goals. Approached in this manner the book serves the reader well. Any focused individual in history is narrow in their outlook, it is a natural result of being human. There is much to be learned about the specific personalities involved in the making of the country and region. There is also a lot to be garnered about strategy, and how important a role it can play in success or failure. Read it in an objective manner. Observe the results obtained in the country. There are pros and cons to every choice we make. The result - Singapore - speaks for itself. It is an ideal modern country, constantly being updated. It is up to each of us to determine which sacrifices are tolerable. But, we would not learn this without investigating the history.
Rating: 
Summary: A great story about a great man
Review: What an amazing story of how Lee started Singapore on the road from colony to greatness. A real exciting read about an exciting place in the world.
Rating:
Summary: This book has affected my school work!
Review: When I first picked up this book, I told myself to read it with caution. I expected a totally biased view on the formation of Singapore. However, the contents were a pleasent surprise. Lee wrote the book with such finesse that he kept me up all night for a week, glued to his pages. His writing style is full of excitement and references to actual events that shaped singapore. I was so engrossed that I totally forgot about my schoolwork. I was impressed by his achievement and i must say that the book is timely, allowing younger generations to understand the Singapore they never knew, and the Singapore that is today. I can't wait for volume 2.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, but there must be other sides to the story
Review: While I found Harry Lee's book a fascinating view of Singapore's post war to separation from the Malaysian Federation engrossing, it is important to acknowledge that this is only one view of the story. Harry Lee has produced a fine and detailed narrative, yet it is punctuated with indications of how readily he uses stereotypical views of other races to justify his own views and actions. I heartily recommend the book, but read this political history as one would read any other - with caution - Lee's view is only one, it is not 'the one'.
Rating:
Summary: Eminently readable, could not put it down.
Review: You appreciate this book so much better if like me, you were born and brought up in Singapore. Just over 40 years ago, Singapore was a poor undeveloped colony of Britain. I remember that in the early 1950s my home had no running water, no electricity. Water came from a well and the kerosene lamp was standard in most homes. The toilet was a small shed in the field behind the home. What a difference Lee Kuan Yew and a group of dedicated individuals have made. Love him or loathe him, you cannot take away what Lee has done. A truly great book. Not only does it give an insider's view of one of the most important periods of Singapore's history, the bonus is that it reads like a thriller! You can't put it down.
| 
