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Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » From Third World to First : The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

From Third World to First : The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

1 rating: 5.0

A book by Lee Kuan Yew

In this memoir, the man most responsible for Singapore's astonishing transformation from colonial backwater to economic powerhouse describes how he did it over the last four decades. It's a dramatic story, and Lee Kuan Yew has much to brag about. … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Singapore, Nonfiction Books, Economic History, Southeast Asia, Economic Development

Author: Lee Kuan Yew

Genre: Business & Investing, History

Publisher: Harper

Date Published: October 3, 2000

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Brilliant man, brilliant book

Mar 12, 2006

by FreeDom4
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

This book really shows you what's behind the man and how he thinks. A real insight into an important leader.

It is helpful that he breaks the chapters down by subject. The sections on foreign leaders are quite interesting. Lee has a knack for understanding and observing people, although he does display a bias for more free-market, socially conservative leaders (think Reagan over Carter). Also, look for quirky character profiles on Burma's Ne Win and Indonesia's Suharto.

I also think some of his explanations for his controversial actions are plausible and should be accepted. For example, his policy of suing foreign publications that do not agree to print an official response from the government verbatim makes sense. There is far too much sensationalist journalism attacking governments, and any good newspaper needs to be prepared for the other side's point of view. Furthermore, while some radicals think banning chewing gum and spitting infringe on our rights, quite frankly I see gum, cigarettes, and spit on the sidewalks in the US and it's disgusting. Good for Lee for taking pride in his city!

At the end of the day, Lee is full of himself, but more than almost anyone else, he has the right to be!

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