From Third World To First: The Singapore Story 1965-2000 (Memoirs Of Lee Kuan Yew)

(Book Review 6: Finished reading on the 23rd of December 2011)

ISBN 9789812049841

Price: Unknown (it was a gift)

A monumental work by a monumental man, From Third World to First has been one of the most interesting and gripping books that I've read in 2011. Written in the frank, concise and lucid style so characteristic of former PM Lee, the book covers both domestic and international issues. 

In the first half of the book, former PM Lee discusses the challenges that post independence Singapore faced and how Singapore managed to overcome them and eventually thrive. The second half of the book (and the one that I find more interesting given that the first half is somewhat familiar content for me) has former PM Lee look at international issues and has chapters looking at either a group of countries or specific countries. It provides a fascinating commentary by former PM Lee on world leaders and international developments as well as a good historical overview on Singapore's relations with other countries. His assessment of Southeast Asian countries, China and the UK are perhaps the best of all. I was particularly interested in the sections where former PM Lee wrote on his experiences of his long engagement with China and Taiwan. A third and rather short section expounds upon the political leadership transition in Singapore as well as the importance of family to former PM Lee. Found both of these chapters interesting and his viewpoints on the importance of a smooth and timely transition as well as the role of family very true. 

Mr Lee Kuan Yew, independent Singapore's first prime minister 

Mr Lee in his later years

It is a must read for every Singaporean and essential for anyone wanting to know more about Southeast Asia and Singapore. Most importantly, it provides insight into one of the greatest political figures of the 20th century and likely Singapore's greatest leader. This book will definitely form the core of my library. 

Documents of the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam

(Book Review 5: Finished reading on the 14th of December 2011)
ISBN 9786047703227
Price: 71,000 VND or SGD 4.41

At times repetitive and occasionally obtuse, this book is a bit of a challenge to read. Definitely not something I would call light reading. However, it was an enlightening book once I got used to Communist style purple prose. It describes the progress that Vietnam has made on all fronts in the past decade. Interesting to note that the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) admits that there are policies that need readjustment and that there still remains many areas for improvement. This shows that the Party is not stagnating and is conscious of the long term struggle and difficulties ahead. The economic figures cited in this book certainly re-impress upon me the great economic progress that Vietnam has made since the institution of Doi Moi (or the transformation from a socialist economy to a socialist oriented market economy). A definite must read for anyone interested in Vietnam and its recent growth into a Southeast Asian powerhouse.

(Note: This book review is in no way an endorsement of Communism or the VCP, just a private opinion. No offense is intended to anyone who believes in Communism either.)

The following pictures are those I got from Google showing the 11th National Congress in session.

The Return of History and The End of Dreams by Robert Kagan

(Book Review 4: Finished reading on the 4th of December 2011)

ISBN: 9780307389886

Price: SGD 26.95 (before discount), SGD 10 (after discount)

A delightfully and superbly written book that effectively condenses the foreign policy challenges that the liberal democracies of the world face. It is rather hard to summarise this book for it in itself is a masterpiece at summary, being able to eloquently, elegantly and succinctly put forth a discussion about the political state of the world in 105 pages. An interesting view posited is the author's view of a contest between the world's liberal democracies and the autocratic regimes. He recognises the emergence of a multipolar world, but sees a geopolitical contest emerging between these two blocs, rather like a revised Cold War. I say revised because, as the author acknowledges, the various Great Powers are now deeply economically interlinked (more so in the case of China than Russia perhaps). Instead of looking at the BRICs versus the US and Europe, Kagan sees the democracies of Brazil and India aligning themselves with other liberal democracies. The book also provides a good overview of the transition from the post Cold War era into the New World Order posited by US triumphalism after the US's emergence as the sole remaining superpower into the future of Great Power relationships. Definitely a worthwhile read.