Rating: 
Summary: Theme From Harry's Game, Part Two
Review: "Harry" Lee Kuan Yew is the ruler of Singapore. Having myself lived in S'pore in the 90's, and having read A Dissident in Lee Kuan Yew's Prison (Francis Seow) and Singapore's Authoritarian Capitalism (Christopher Lingle), it is hard to rate this second volume of memoirs as anything other than rather useless propaganda, in terms of helping a westerner understand S'pore. This reviewer lived in Singapore and knew the fear local residents had both for voicing any political opinion, and of the hated secret police. S'pore citizens of Malay or Indian descent privately admit to feeling second class citizens. "Senior Minister" (as he calls himself) Harry Lee Kuan Yew deals with all this with the same highly Aesopian and elliptical language as in his first volume. Yes, the garbage is collected on time in S'pore. Western businessmen, to do business in Singapore, prudently enthuse through their marketing departments over Harry's achievments. But western readers may wish to know that inside Singapore no critical response to this enormous door-stopper of a memoir is allowed. Those readers may wish to skip it, or read it along side what is considered its "twin" - Christopher Lingle's Singapore's Authoritarin Capitalism (get it right here - you can't in S'pore). Francis Seow's A Dissident in Lee Kuan Yew's Prison (To Catch a Tartar) gives a much-needed rejoinder to ol' Harry's book, which, despite a chorus of official flunkey approval (or the shouts of extreme nationalists), is little more than auto-hagiographical junk.
Rating: 
Summary: Optimistic and Pragmatic
Review: FROM THIRD WORLD TO FIRST is Lee Kuan Yew's account of Singapore's evolution from a member of the Malayan Federation in 1965 to thriving, independent nation in 2000. Lee discusses his, and his fellow ministers', important and controversial decisions in Singapore and his official discussions with prominent world leaders, past and present. The volume is written in an approachable, non-technical language in the author's own voice. That Lee Kuan Yew is both educated and self-educated is readily apparent.Lee often confronts the issue of Asian values, sometimes directly, but more often implicitly. He consistently argues and proves, that the values which he and his compatriot ministers championed and administered are Singapore values, and not applicable to other countries. In the second section, Lee painstakingly identifies the character of different countries and their values. Pragmatism is the book's conclusion, not any doctrinaire insistence on a set of Asian values. Another aspect of the book is a multi-faceted view of Asia. Far from lumping all countries in the region into a simple scheme, Lee makes Asia even more complicated. Especially, I was impressed with his reading of China and Taiwan, but Japan and Korea are also distinquished from his own perspective as almost foreign worlds. Lee also bridges social democratic values with pragmatism. From his discussions of educational reforms, city planning, and management in Singapore to his discussions about the Vietnamese War, Chinese development, and relations with the Malaysian Communists, Lee struggles to espouse a non-liberal, non-western way to view events and policies. This is a story about a very fortunate man. The personal dimension is there, too. Through tragedies personal and political, Lee maintains a resilient optimism that marks the book.
Rating:
Summary: Singapore: miracle or manipulation?
Review: Having been to Singapore and knowing the history of that city/ state, I had to own this book. I had to know how and why this particular city had risen from the Third World to the First. Detailed, organized and well written, this book should be on the book shelf of every city planner in the world. It should be read and referenced often. Singapore is a wonderful city to visit: safe, clean and busy. However it is not a democracy. Does that bother you? Read this book and decide for yourself.
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Summary: A Dictator's Views - Read Alongside Other Accounts
Review: Here is the second enormous volume (900 plus pages!) of Harry Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs of how he created Singapore, written in a relaxed, confident style by a dictator who says he cares not whether anyone disagrees with him. According to this book, Harry built Singapore out of "a few pineapple plantations." But I recommend the following titles to anyone planning to visit or live in Singapore to get a more balance account of this squeaky clean, sinister place. Stan Sesser's *Lands of Charm and Cruelty* has a wonderful essay on S'pore describing *"the fear that even the best educated Singaporeans feel towards their government"* and much info on the way Malayan and Indian S'pore citizens feel second class. Ian Buruma's essays in *God's Dust* and *The Missionary and the Libertine*, including the famous *"The Nanny State of Asia"* fill in more of the gaps left out by old Harry. Christopher Lingle's two books, especially *Singapore's Authoritarian Capitalism* are merciless, dead-accurate critics of what Lee's done to S'pore during his tenure. Francis Seow's *To Catch a Tartar: A Prisoner in Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore* tells you all you need to know about Harry's supposed indifference to dissent. One of the most unpleasant of Lee's omissions is his leaving out how many skilled and talented Singaporeans emigrate from Singapore to the First World to start new lives in freer surroundings. All of these books tell you something about Harry's manipulation of history - his claim of building S'pore out of a few pineapple plantations is laughable - Singapore was in fact handed the number one port in Asia by the departing British. A less grotesquely insecure leader would take pride in Singapore's successfull development of that port, especially in a region where dictatorships are usually inept as well as frightening. But Harry does not possess that security, as his two autobio volumes - 900 pages each! - clearly show. Singapore is a lot like an Arab gulf state floating on oil, it has successfully exploited its inheritance from elsewhere to some material good for its physically very small self. But 1800 pages of insecure bragging is not the only story. I was reminded by this book of Singapore's poor, sad History Museum, once the famous Raffles Museum of British days, now almost entirely restricted to the history of Harry's time. There's just so much more to know. A good book for the family/business person moving to Singapore is Bo Yang's * The Ugly Chinaman and the Crisis of Chinese Culture* a book that deals frankly with the underbelly of Chinese culture and is very helpful to understanding personality's like Lee's (and little Lee's elsewhere). It will help you end up with greater understanding of things Chinese, and leave your mind clear to enjoy the great side of Chinese culture: the poetry of Li Po and Tu Fu, Confucius, the classic Chinese novel The Story of the Stone, Wallace's Malay Archipelago, Paul Theroux's Singapore novel Saint Jack (and his Singapore short stories), etc. Good luck in Singapore. Order these books here, you can't get them all in Harry's country.
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Summary: ONE MAN, ONE NATION, ONE FUTURE
Review: How could one man build one nation in hopes for one future? How could an island surrounded by belligerant neighbors survive to become one of the richest, the cleanest, the most crime-free and the most efficient nations in the world? The Singapore of today is the result of a strict and efficient government that have provided housing for all its 4.1 million people, a prosperous free market economy, strong defense, religious and racial cohesion, a sound educational system and an incorruptible government. The Singapore of today, 100 years ago, would have been unimaginable; the success of one man, in a matter of 40 years has transformed a tiny island that many world leaders thought would never survive into a first world country.
Rating: 
Summary: A different kind of statesman
Review: I could not help but sometimes think that I was reading a 'Godfather' saga; the story of a benevolent father figure, aiming at a collective good for his subjects, but completely ruthless and at times lacking scruples. He was candid and careful about the historical accuracy of the events. He was also bold and honest enough to retain the writing style that corresponds to his characteristics: stern, unyielding and shrewd. He did nothing to portray a mellower himself to win over the readers. In its review of this book, The Economist echoed Lee's lament over the limited scope of his reign: Singapore is a very small country with a very small population. No telling what he could have achieved to a country of proper size. However, a few things would have been different. Singapore was a country of transplants, unlike other countries under colonial rules that had a distinct history and culture. It was easier to build institutions mold after the colonial rulers. Besides, unlike other colonial countries that fought for independence and earned it the hostile way, Lee's relationship with the colonial masters was much more congenial, earning him economic access. Also, having the UK and later the USA to ensure its security, Singapore was much more able to concentrate on economic development. It was also easier for an English-educated elite to take absolute control of a small population and suppress dissent or plurality. Lee did not make great strides to prove that plurality or individual freedom was big on his agenda. He mentioned India with some disregards as to its failures; I wonder what he would have done to contain a population with such enormous size and diversity. Reading the last few chapters it seems that Lee could never get over his obsession about the Chinese ancestry of himself and the majority of Singapore population. The Singaporean identity that he so carefully tries to build is somewhat compromised by his overt awe of China and gloating on the recognition from China for his success. The book is a good read for Lee's candid and honesty in describing his views. However, it is difficult to concur with his views on statecraft.
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Summary: Not as good as the first volume
Review: I do not agree entirely with Gopalan Nair. I am not a fervant supporter of Harry Lee and indeed I voted against his party when I lived in Singapore and will continue to do so. But after I had left Singapore to live in Hong Kong 12 years ago, gradually I came closer to Lee's view of the world, especially when I travelled extensively and frequently in China many years ago and also when I lived in Indonesia between 96 to 97. I think that many Singaporeans are like me - it's a love-hate relationship with the old man, who was prime minister even before I was born! I am a bit disappointed with the second book which I think is not as good as the first. Not that it is bad; it is still first rate but I have expected more from Lee. Since a fairly young age, I have read many books about Lee and a lot of his speeches. While his first book reveals quite many things about him that I did not know before, the second book is a let down in this regard. Indeed, before I read it I was excited about how Lee would explain or explain away the Tan Wah Piow, Francis Seow and Tang Liang Hong affairs. But no, Lee is a statesman now and Tan, Seow and Tang were just minor characters not worth dwelling on - maybe Lee thought. The second book, however, will give foreigners a good grasp of Lee's view of life and why Singapore is governed the way it is. I also cannot agree more with Lee on the impact of sending Singaporeans to mainland China, as my own China dream was shattered when I was there. Lee, however, was trying too hard in his book to please the present Chinese communists, who, I think, in the words of Chris Patten, are a bunch of wankers - still. I think Gopalan may be related to former President Devan Nair. If Lee is really that evil, it is not for Devan Nair, Toh Chin Chye or Ong Pang Boon to turn around to point their fingers - they were together with Lee in the same boat for too long. And I also remember vividly nearly 13 years ago a question that an MP from Lee's party posed to me - after a lengthy discussion about the merits or demerits of his party's rule in Singapore following my rejection to help him in constituency work - How do you argue with success? I hope Harry Lee will write the third volume.
Rating:
Summary: A book worth reading and re-reading
Review: I do not like some of his ideas and his ways of handling things, but they are pragmatic and he explains why, esp his way of handling the domestic issues. It also reveal his statemanship which, unfortunately, the third world, whether democratic or not, is very much lacking. The book also cover foreign policies answered some of the questions on why he do or say certain things which are puzzling to the public. But some parts of his book on his political counterparts in Malaysia are inaccurate, esp on the MCA leaders. Personally, I admire him. Consider this, 1 Malaysian Ringgit is worth 1 Singapore dollar at Separation, but now, you need RM2.15 to purchase S$1. The writing is simple and the flow of the contents keep my eyes on the book non-stop from end to end.
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Summary: Lee Kuan Yew: A builder of Civilzation
Review: I have both read the book and been to Singapore. I must say Singapore is a charming place. Mr. Lee is harsh, a bit repressive, and intolerant, but he took a small island from the third world to first. What ever you say of Mr. Lee Yew, you can't deny Singapore's GDP per capita. Mr. Lee has created an affective legal system and a wealthy nation. Yes, sometime he did not always stick to the free market, but he got the job done! Let the old man enjoy his victory, the controls he imposed where need at the time, when the old guard is gone, the controls will relax. However they should not completely go away. Remember that Singapore is lucky, they should thank Lee Kuan Yew.... How many countries in black Africa or Latin America would love to be in Singapore's shoes. Remember things in Singapore could be worse, they could have a standard of living like Indonesia. Really, Singapore is a great place to live and to study, we should praise Lee Kuan Yew not curse him.
There are many anti-capitalism, anti-globalization idiots out there, they wish to castigate Singapore for not remains poor and backward, so that they can claim the free-market oppress non-Europeans. The facts are, it took Europe hundred of years to develop the intuitions that allow it to be both prosperous and exercises free speech. Singapore did not have the luxury of developing these intuitions over 300 years, so it had to leap frog and that required the abrogation of some rights.
For a country at the bottom of the third world (GDP per capita of less then $2,000.00 -anything under $10,000.00 is third world in general-) a choice has to be made, do they want democracy or do they want prosperity, you cannot have both. Democracy forces a nations leadership to look at the short term (the election cycle) rather then at the long term. Often they refuse to make the hard decisions, such as labor reform and ending the welfare state, because if they do the general mass, still poor with a third world "give me money" mind set will boot them out of office. Even if they do make the tough decision, they are often reversed after they are removed from office.
Since World War 2 there has not been a single country that has moved its self from the third world to the first using democracy. All the nation to do so (Singapore and Hong Kong) while allow outright democracy, even "democratic" Hong Kong had a government appointed by the British, with out elections.
Some might point to the example of Japan as a democracy that has become first world, but that is a fallacy, because Japan was first world before WWII (e.g. its industrial base that allowed it to fight the West) thanks to the Meiji Restoration that also used Authoritarian methods.
I am not say that every Authoritarian regime is good or that they will being their nation in to the first world, but they do have an advantage over democratic nation. Some might say that the abrogation of important liberties is a high price to pay, I would argue that most liberties that we praise are economic liberties and any regime looking to develop must allow a great deal of liberty.
I ask you, what good is it to live in a country that has a free press, but the average person can't afford to buy a news paper or a country that holds regular elections, but the average person is starving.
I would much rather live in a country that has a censored press, but where the people in the middle class can afford a BMW or a country that does not hold election, but the grocery stores are stocked with food.
Until you have been to a real third world nation, not a Brazil, but a real third world country where there is massive starvation like Ethiopia, you have no right to castigate Singapore or Lee Kuan Yew.
Lee did what he had to do to see his nation serve, G-d bless him!
I would live in the so-called "sinister" and "phobacratic" Singapore with it's clean street, new shopping malls, and clean drinking water, then the third world hell hole that is the democracy of India!
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I just finished the book and I was, to say the least, impressed. The book is full of insight, it is wonder that not more people have read it - not just for what it says but for what it does not say. Lee begins this, his second volume of a set of autobiographies, with "from Singapore's independence in 1965...." - it has been a long road. The book runs through the whole gamut of Lee's experience with the world. As the uncontested leader of one of the most prosperous city-states in the world - for at least 30 years - it is no wonder that he could divulge the amount of insight he has in this book. From the local to the global, Lee impresses. Toward the end of the book, Lee speaks candidly about choosing his successor - speaking in terms of "Helicopter" visionaries who can see the big picture but can zero in on details when required. Lee tells us of the successes and the price of that success. There is so much more to the Singapore story that is not told in this book though - but that is job for other books in the discourse of Singapore. Lee does, to his credit deal with some of the issues brought up by his interlocutors in the Western press - specially allegations relating to alledged authoritarian policies. One of the most insightful comments was the encounter he had with Kim Dae Jung and the lack of response regarding their polemic in Foreign Affairs concerning "Asian Values". Like I said, as much as there was said - so much is also not said. The book is full of the erudite Lee and his stories read like a wise sage imparting his life story - it was an autobiography. Despite my restraint, I have admit these memoirs leave us a rich legacy for future generations to ponder - to learn what can and cannot be accomplished, what can and cannot apply to a particular situation. We can learn to never underestimate the Russians, take note of actions in China and Japan, almost always be aware of our neighbors, and to keep the house in order. An extrordinary man in an extrordinary era. Like MacArthur said: "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." For more info, you can also look back into his first autobiography "The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew" (Also available on Amazon.com) Miguel Llora
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