Goh Keng Swee on China: Selected Essays
Zheng Yongnian & John Wong (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2012
ISBN: 9789814407236

Touted as one of the main engineers of Singapore's economic growth, Dr Goh's collection of writings and speeches seek to shed light on the various challenges that China faced in the early 90s. His arguments and analyses were presented clearly and concisely while being firmly established upon economic principles. Covering a broad range of topics from the growth of industries and enterprises to financial reforms and the difficulties of doing business in China, this collection provides a comprehensive view of problems the Chinese government faced while providing possible solutions. Despite being written two decades ago, the issues raised in these papers and speeches are uncannily relevant to the issues that the current Chinese government faces today.

Kampong Spirit - Gotong Royong: Life in Potong Pasir, 1955 to 1965
Josephine Chia
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2013
ISBN: 9789814398602

Kampong Spirit - Gotong Royong is a heart-warming recollection of life in the little village of Potong Pasir in Singapore during the years 1955 to 1965.

In this book, Josephine Chia brings us into the world of her childhood in a kampong. Though deprived of modern comforts like electricity or running water, her multi-racial neighbours lived harmoniously with each other in their attap homes, and had a wonderful zest for life and a strong sense of community. This vibrant kampong spirit or gotong royong, was a significant aspect of living in a kampong.

The period 1955 to 1965 was also a dramatic era for Singapore. As the country struggled towards nationhood, the social and political events of the time are seen through the eyes of the common folk.

This collection of delightful, real-life short stories will take you through Singapore's history and heritage at a human level. For some, it will be a journey of discovery and for others it will be a time of reminiscing for those nostalgic years.

Travellers' Tales of Old Singapore
Michael Wise (comp.)
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2013
ISBN: 9789814408141

From the very beginning, Singapore's promise of adventure and romance lured visitors to her shores. Travellers came from everywhere and found in Singapore so much to amaze and amuse, so much to write home about.

The tales selected for this collection take the reader back to the early days of Singapore when pirates roamed the seas and tigers ate Chinamen for breakfast. It was an era of rickshaws and gharries, of pepper and gambier plantations, of secret societies and opium dens.

Through the eyes of more than 60 visitors are seen glimpses of a place, a time and a way of life that is very different from today's.

Education in Singapore: Taking Stock, Looking Forward
Jason Tan (ed.)
Singapore: Pearson, 2012
ISBN: 9789810692391

Education in Singapore: Taking Stock, Looking Forward casts an analytical lens on key issues in the Singapore education system. The various contributors are a mix of academics and postgraduate students, most of whom are Singaporeans who have experienced the Singapore education system from differing perspectives as students or as school teachers.

The frenetic pace of reform that has characterised the past fifteen years appears to have slowed somewhat. It is thus timely to take stock of key aspects of Singapore’s education system as well as to make predictions for the immediate future. This book has as its target audience policymakers, school leaders and school teachers both within and outside of Singapore who have an interest in scholarly critiques of Singapore’s education system.

The Sky is the Limit: The Making of Marina Bay Sands
Moshe Safdie
USA: ORO, 2013
ISBN: 9780981985763

Marina Bay Sands, a $5 billion, high-density, mixed-use integrated resort that brings together a 2560 room hotel, convention center, shopping and dining, theaters, museum, and a casino across the water from Singapore's Central Business District, opened to the public on June 23, 2010.

Designed by Boston-based, internationally renowned architect Moshe Safdie for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the 929,000 meter (10 million square-foot) urban district anchors the Singapore waterfront, creates a gateway to Singapore, and provides a dynamic setting for a vibrant public life. This new urban place integrates the waterfront promenade, a 74,000 square meter (800,000 square-foot), multi level arcade, and the iconic Museum of Art Science on the promontory. Located along the network of Public paths are also two theaters with a combined 4000 seats, a casino, a 9000 square meter (96,000 square-foot) convention center, and a hydraulically adjustable public event plaza of 5000 square meters (54,000 square-foot). Combining indoor and outdoor spaces and providing a platform for a wide array of activities, this vibrant, 21st century cardo maximus, or grand arcade, also connects to the subway and other transportation.

Case Studies in Public Governance: Building Institutions in Singapore
June Gwee (ed.)
UK: Routledge, 2012
ISBN: 9780415826181

The case study, whether a simple scenario about choices in decision-making or a multi-dimensional narrative of conflicts and dilemmas, is a rich source of knowledge, ideas, and insights. Using case studies as a method to document and learn the experiences of nations and their institutions reveal the perspectives, rationale, trade-offs and actions of governments and people. This book is a collection of case studies on the development of Singapore institutions.

Here, a total of five case studies encompassing the areas of urban governance, education, social security and industrial relations are presented, each carefully selected to profile a particular sector. These case studies describe the importance of culture, leadership, and systems in building institutions, and how interactions between people – leaders and employees – and the organizations they belong to can influence institutional culture. This publication seeks to deepen global understanding of the Singapore government and its form of governance, as well as to advance theories and concepts of sustainable development on a global stage.

Happiness and Wellbeing: The Singapore Experience
Siok Kuan Tambyah & Soo Jiuan Tan
UK: Routledge, 2012
ISBN: 9780415506724

This book is part of the continuing research on quality of life issues conducted by its authors, and builds on past research on the values and lifestyles of Singaporeans (published in 1999 and 2004) and the wellbeing of Singaporeans (published in 2009). It focuses on the happiness and wellbeing of Singaporeans and details the findings of a large-scale quality-of-life survey of 1500 Singapore residents in 2011 (the QOL 2011 survey). This comprehensive study provides insights into Singaporeans' general life satisfaction and satisfaction with their life domains, happiness, enjoyment, achievement, emotional wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, economic wellbeing, overall wellbeing, happiness, enjoyment, achievement, personal values, spirituality, value orientations, national identity, and satisfaction with rights. In addition, the QOL 2011 survey builds on previous nation-wide surveys in 1991, 1996, and 2001, thus providing a longitudinal perspective into how the various aspects of the wellbeing of Singaporeans have evolved through the years. This book aims to provide a comprehensive reference for academics, practitioners, policy makers, researchers, and students who are interested in the subject of happiness and wellbeing in Singapore. It can also be used as a reference for other countries who are interested to promote happiness and wellbeing of their nations.

Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master's Insights on China, the United States, and the World
Graham Allison, Robert D. Blackwill, & Ali Wyne
USA: MIT Press, 2013
ISBN: 9780262019125

When Lee Kuan Yew speaks, presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, and CEOs listen. Lee, the founding father of modern Singapore and its prime minister from 1959 to 1990, has honed his wisdom during more than fifty years on the world stage. Almost single-handedly responsible for transforming Singapore into a Western-style economic success, he offers a unique perspective on the geopolitics of East and West. American presidents from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama have welcomed him to the White House; British prime ministers from Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair have recognized his wisdom; and business leaders from Rupert Murdoch to Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobil, have praised his accomplishments.

This book gathers key insights from interviews, speeches, and Lee's voluminous published writings and presents them in an engaging question and answer format. Lee offers his assessment of China's future, asserting, among other things, that "China will want to share this century as co-equals with the U.S." He affirms the United States' position as the world's sole superpower but expresses dismay at the vagaries of its political system. He offers strategic advice for dealing with China and goes on to discuss India's future, Islamic terrorism, economic growth, geopolitics and globalization, and democracy. Lee does not pull his punches, offering his unvarnished opinions on multiculturalism, the welfare state, education, and the free market.

The Last Great Strike: The Untold Story of the Strike That Closed The Straits Times
Clement Mesenas
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2012
ISBN: 9789814398312

Veteran journalist Clement Mesenas looks back on eight eventful days in 1971 when a group of young reporters staged a historic strike that shut down The Straits Times, a company that had the proud tradition of never being off the streets in its 120 years of existence, not even during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.

The Law in His Hands: A Tribute to Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong
Chao Hick Tin, Andrew Phang Boon Leong, V K Rajah, Yeo Tiong Min (eds.)
Singapore: Academy of Law, 2012
ISBN: 9789810738174

This book celebrates the 75th birthday of former Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong. Comprising three parts, the book underscores what has been an extraordinary life in the law displayed in all its manifold and variegated aspects. Part I of the book contains a short biographical essay and a number of speeches and interviews. In Part II, experts in the various fields of law synthesise and analyse the former Chief Justice's contributions in the major areas of Singapore law. Part III contains a representative selection of Mr Chan's publications and speeches, written or delivered in his capacity as both Attorney-General and Chief Justice - all marked by his characteristically deep scholarship as well as practical approach towards the law.

100 Singaporeans
Wesley Loh Kar-Wai
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2013
ISBN: 9789810731205

What does it mean to look Singaporean? Is there a unique quality to our faces that transcends our ethnic differences and immediately identifies us as Singaporeans? In 100 Singaporeans, award-winning photographer Wesley Loh Kar-Wai takes on these burning questions. Forgoing posed pictures and special effects for stark black-and-white close ups, he documents Singaporeans from all walks of life. The result is a stunning collection of intimate portraits whose subjects bravely invite us to meet their unwavering, direct gaze. In so doing, we begin to discover commonalities that can be conveyed without the need for words.

Different Under God: A Survey of Church-Going Protestants in Singapore
Terence Chong & Hui Yew-Foong
Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2013
ISBN: 9789814414425

This is a comprehensive analysis of Christianity in Singapore, covering religious, social and political attitudes. It analyses individual and discussion-group responses from churchgoers in both mainline denominations and independent churches, and covers issues such as moral values and attitudes, including those on sexuality and sexual orientation, money and giving, organizational belonging, and governance.