Arts Hats in Renaissance City: Reflections & Aspirations of Arts Personalities
Renee Lee (ed.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814630771

Arts Hats in Renaissance City is an anthology of the personal reflections and aspirations of four generations in the new creative ecostructure in Singapore -- from those who help formulate policies to that of the individual artists, who have helped develop and build an exciting arts and culture scene from scratch and into a viable economic model. As evidenced by the professions in this anthology, the scope of work within the arts and culture sector is diverse, from backgrounds such as history, communications, management, economics, law, science, arts, psychology and entertainment.

Beyond theory, the anthology offers an authentic voice of real and lived experiences of the go-to people, their personal role in heritage development, and their thoughts and insights on our, albeit developing, arts scene since independence.

Tan Lark Sye: Advocator and Founder of Nanyang University
Ong Meng Chu, Lim Hoon Yong, & Ng Lai Yang (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814641494 / 9789814644754

This book records Mr Tan Lark Sye's remarkable contribution to the founding of Nanyang University. Mr Tan Lark Sye was born in Jimei, Fujian Province, China in 1887 and passed away in 1972. He was a leading rubber industrialist in Southeast Asia of his time. He was also an activist and believed in the value of education. As Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the 1950s, he fought for citizenship for Chinese people in Singapore, and for the Chinese language to be one of Singapore's official languages.

Mr Tan's most outstanding contribution, however, was the initiating of the founding of Nanyang University in 1953. He donated SGD 5 million, which was a colossus amount at the time, to its building fund, as well as 523 acres of land for its campus on behalf of the Hokkien Huay Kuan.

This collection of essays is based on a Chinese book published in 1997 to commemorate Mr Tan Lark Sye's centenary birthday by Nanyang University Alumni Association of Hong Kong. It collects essays by outstanding Nanyang graduates and speeches by Mr Tan. It elaborates on how Mr Tan advocated to establish the Nanyang University against various difficulties. It tells legendary life stories of Mr Tan. The book is well-illustrated with many precious pictures of Mr Tan and his family members. It is a must-read for those interested in the history of Nanyang University and the legendary life of Mr Tan.

50 Years of Social Issues in Singapore
David Chan (ed.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814632607 / 9789814632614

The social context of Singapore is changing rapidly, and understanding how people think, feel and behave in various situations has become a key driver of effectiveness in addressing social issues. 50 Years of Social Issues in Singapore provides a comprehensive review and examination of various social issues at multiple levels of analysis including the individual, group and society.

This invaluable book adopts a translational approach to social issues in Singapore by explicitly bridging intellectual and practical perspectives. Contributed by a distinguished team of authors, the chapters examine the critical ideas underlying public debates of social issues and their policy and practical implications.

The book is organized into three parts. Part I examines issues of population and social fundamentals in Singapore such as ageing, marriage, urban planning, healthcare and racial and religious harmony. Part II analyses Singapore's social progress through issues of inclusivity such as social mobility, developing communities and marginal groups that deserve more attention. Part III focuses on core principles and social processes related to social justice, doing good, social media and approaches to understanding and addressing social issues in Singapore.

Most importantly, the chapters in this book clearly identify many of the critical, unresolved and emerging questions on various social issues that will guide the next generation of public discussion and policy deliberations on what matter in Singapore.

Through the Lens of Lee Kip Lin: Photographs of Singapore 1965-1995
Lai Chee Kien
Singapore: National Library Board & Editions Didier Millet, 2015
ISBN: 9789814610087

In 2009 the family of the late Lee Kip Lin donated to the National Library Board of Singapore over 14,500 slides and negatives of modern Singapore that he had taken, among other items of historical merit such as maps, rare photographs and prints, and books. Over three decades from 1965 to 1995, Lee captured the many landscapes and buildings that would eventually disappear from the island and its shores. Close to 500 photographs have been reproduced in this book to showcase the exuberance and eloquence of the different built forms -- in an era when time and space in Singapore was more accommodating.

Rainforest in a City
Chua Ee Kiam
Singapore: National Parks Board, 2015
ISBN: 9789810917128

Rainforest in a City is yet another collaboration between National Parks Board (NParks) and Dr Chua Ee Kiam. The book highlights the natural heritage found in the nature reserves of Bukit Timah and the Central Catchment. While urban growth may be inevitable with an increase in population numbers, it is vital nonetheless to balance development with the conservation of our native biodiversity. It is a role all of us have to play to ensure the long-term survival of our precious rainforests in our city.

This book includes more than 400 images taken within Singapore's rainforests over the three-year span of the project. Readers will be taken into the deep recesses of these forests, to observe their inhabitants at various stages of their life cycles -- both in the day and in the night. Through the book, readers will be inducted into the world of these little-known Singaporeans that are thriving in our midst. Included in this book, too, are exclusive interviews with researchers and scientists who have made significant contributions to our conservation vision.