The Politics of Defeat: Preliminary Chapters and the Secret Diary of Francis Thomas
Margaret Thomas (ed.)
Singapore: Ethos Books, 2015
ISBN: 9789810961527

It was a diary that had first sat at the back of a locked steel cabinet for two decades and then in a taped box for close to another four decades.

A secret diary, kept by Cabinet Minister Francis Thomas, of the discussions and decisions that went on behind the scenes and determined the path of Singapore's political development during the late 1950s. It was a tumultuous time that saw the People's Action Party come into power because of the ineptitude -- or, in the words of Lee Kuan Yew, the corruption and stupidities -- of the Labour Front government.

The diary was kept by Francis Thomas, an Englishman who made Singapore his home and played a key role in the dying days of the Labour Front government. The Politics of Defeat is his inside story of those days.

Singapore: Sketches of the Lion City [New ed.]
Lorette E. Roberts
Hong Kong: Bridge House Design, 2015
ISBN: 9789889732868

Returning to update Singapore: Sketches of the Lion City, artist and illustrator Lorette E. Roberts was once again struck by the variety of flowers and trees and how naturally they bloom in modern Singapore. Now, Supertrees, Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands are part of the landscape, having "grown" since her last visit. In her inimitable and unmistakable style, Lorette has now included these along with the other famous sights in this exciting colourful new edition.

In addition to Raffles Hotel, Boat Quay, Orchard Road, Sentosa and the newly anointed UNESCO Botanic Gardens are all featured in this new edition. Roberts has captured all the varied architectural styles prevalent in the Lion City: Shophouses, Colonial Bungalows, 'Black and White' homes, the refurbished Fulerton Heritage by the Bay are also included along side the other classic civic buildings which make up Singapore today.

Lorette's sharp eye is trained to spot the unusual: ancient houses on stilts, a tree walk, organic gardens, the old-world charm of Tiong Bahru, Ang Mo Kio's Sunday Bird Club, a tiger-car replica, ethnic fabric designs, hedgehog pastries and vibrant street art. In this engaging book there is something for everyone to enjoy including her trademark snail hidden on every page!

My Life, My Story: Personal Narratives by Singapore's Seniors
Verena Tay (ed.)
Singapore: National Library Board, 2015
ISBN: 9789810960520

All of us have life stories to tell. But the elusive process by which those memories come together to produce a story that moves, entertains or provokes requires lots of hard work -- and the guidance of a good mentor!

The National Library Board is proud to bring you selected works from participants of a memoir writing workshop series it ran with author Verena Tay in 2015.

In this array of seven memoir pieces, you will get a glimpse into childhoods from bygone days, intriguing family histories, and brave personal journeys -- all of which, whether they make you laugh, cry or reminisce, show how unique our lives are in both their delightful and difficult moments, and yet how intertwined we are through the places and communities we share.

Faith in Architecture: 50 Houses of Worship in Singapore
Gül İnanç (ed.)
Singapore: Ethos Books, 2015
ISBN: 9789810953737

Often we are not fully aware of the artistic, diverse and divine features of more than a thousand houses of worship, which surround us in this small, culturally diverse city-state. This semi-photobook is a humble attempt to give 50 of these sacred sands/stones the voice required to share their stories with us and for us to move a little closer to understanding and appreciating the art and culture of major faiths being practised both locally and globally. Complementing the reflections and photography in the book are astute sketches by renowned Singapore artist, Dr Ho Chee Lick.

Vintage Lee: Landmark Speeches Since 1955
Lydia Lim (ed.)
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642460

In his 60 years as a politician, 31 of them as Prime Minister, Mr Lee delivered thousands of speeches. This book contains 33 that stand out because they are the clearest and most hard-hitting on issues he considered of fundamental importance -- race, language, good government, defence, talent and succession. Some mark milestones on Singapore's journey to independence and success. Others are plain inspiring because Mr Lee speaks of facing life with courage and fighting for what one believes in. This selection was made after consulting SPH editors past and present, including Cheong Yip Seng, Patrick Daniel and Han Fook Kwang.

PM Lee Hsien Loong said his father was often "spoiling for a fight". Indeed, Lee Kuan Yew seemed energised by opposition and his election rally speeches make for compelling reading precisely because they showcase him at his combative best. In Parliament too, or during National Day Rallies, Mr Lee thrived on the challenge of winning people over on hard policies that most other politicians would have shied away from. He was always very clear about the message he wanted to get across and tailored his speeches to his audience, exploiting the power of words and stories, marshalling facts and figures and putting his own reputation on the line so as to win the argument.

Rehearsal for Life: Singapore Youth Orchestra 1980-1990
Wong Sher Maine & Vivien Goh
Singapore: Vivien Goh, 2015
ISBN: 9789810955328

Youth Orchestras have had a checkered history in Singapore. This book traces Youth Orchestra activities from the 1930s when first glimpses of it appeared in the press in Singapore. It was only in 1980 that the Singapore Youth Orchestra was put on a firm footing with the full backing of the Singapore Government as represented by Dr Goh Keng Swee, known as the architect of Singapore's economic development. Goh was also instrumental to the founding of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra to which the Singapore Youth Orchestra was to act as a "feeder".

The authors have not only given an account of this initial period of the Singapore Youth Orchestra (1980-1990) but have also made it a very readable narrative by interspersing quotes from Orchestra members themselves. Their amusing anecdotes of their days in the top ensemble in Singapore, and reflections on how being part of the Youth Orchestra changed their lives, make for engaging reading. The book also contains evocative photos from the 1980s as well as updated photos of these youths, who are now in their 40s and 50s.

Images of Singapore Botanic Gardens
Alvin Loh
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2015
ISBN: 9789814677196

With more than 150 years of history, the 74-hectare Singapore Botanic Gardens holds a unique and significant place in the history of Singapore and the region. It was responsible in its early days for the introduction, experimentation and promotion of crop plants, including the rubber tree; it also spearheaded orchid breeding and started a world-renowned orchid hybridisation programme. Today, it not only continues to play a vital role in the horticultural and botanical fields, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has become a fixture of the cultural landscape and the national identity.

Images of Singapore Botanic Gardens takes the reader on an enchanting photographic tour of the gardens' varied landscapes. Highlights include the National Orchid Garden, home of the world's foremost collection of orchids; Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, the first children's garden in Asia; a lush Rainforest trail boasting rare tropical species; picture-perfect water features such as Swan Lake, Eco Lake and Symphony Lake; and some of the best-preserved specimens of colonial architecture in Singapore.

With the decision on its UNESCO World Heritage status due to be announced in 2015 Q3, interest in the Singapore Botanic Gardens will be at an all-time high. This compact volume, packed with over 250 photographs, vividly captures the spirit of Singapore Botanic Gardens in all its glory.

Singapore: 50 Constitutional Moments that Defined a Nation
Kevin Y.L. Tan & Thio Li-Ann
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2015
ISBN: 9789814677097

Singapore inherited a Westminster-style constitution from the British who ruled the island for 140 years. Since Singapore's independence in 1965, this constitution has been amended and augmented many times wherein unique institutions -- such as the Elected Presidency and Group Representation Constitutions -- were created. All these changes occurred against the backdrop of Singapore's special geographical local, multi-ethnic population and vulnerability to externalities.

This book features a collection of short essays describing and explaining 50 Constitutional Moments -- major inflexion points in the trajectory of Singapore's constitutional development. The authors have selected each of these 'moments' on the basis of their impact in the forging of the modern constitutional order. Starting in 1965, the book begins chronologically, from the 'moment' of Singapore's expulsion from the Federation of Malaysia through the establishment of the Wee Chong Jin Constitutional Commission (1966) to the entrenchment of the sovereignty clause in the Constitution (1972) right through to the 2000s, with the Presidential Elections of 2011.

In these easy-to-read essays, the reader is introduced to what the authors consider to be the most important episodes that have shaped the Singapore Constitution. These articles cover key events like President Ong Teng Cheong's 1999 Press Conference and the 2001 Tudung controversy; constitutional amendments like the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (1990) and the introduction of Nominated Members of Parliament (1990); and seminal cases like Chng Suan Tze v Minister for Home Affairs (1989) and Yong Vui Kong v PP (2010 & 2015) that have contributed to the sculpting of Singapore's constitutional landscape.

Lee's Legacy
Fiona Chan (ed.)
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642309

Compiled for the first time in Lee's Legacy, this selection of incisive viewpoints displays a wide range of perspectives on Mr Lee's contributions to Singapore and beyond, spanning the sustainability and applicability of the "Singapore model" to Mr Lee's influence on the policies of foreign countries. The result is a thought-provoking anthology that presents a balanced overview of the complex and far-reaching legacy of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

50 Years of Singapore-Europe Relations: Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe
Lay Hwee Yeo & Barnard Turner (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814675567

As Singapore enters its 50th year of independence, it is a good time to reflect on its past as well as look to the future. 50 Years of Singapore-Europe Relations: Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe is one such contribution to the wide collection of books commemorating Singapore's 50th birthday. The essays and articles in this edited volume capture historical moments, reveal the heartfelt wishes and thoughtful comments of Europeans who have made Singapore their home, chronicle some of the long-standing partnerships and ponder the future challenges of Singapore.

This unique book contains a wide range of essays and articles reflecting on the strong connections that Singapore enjoys with Europe, not only at the official level, but also through the contributions that Europeans and European companies have made -- and continue to make -- which enrich Singaporean society. These essays provide a kaleidoscope of views on Singapore -- they explore how close ties and partnerships are forged between nations, how businesses see Singapore as a trustworthy partner and place to invest and establish roots, and, at a more personal level, the articles also present different perspectives on the strengths, and at times, the weaknesses of Singapore as viewed through the eyes of Europeans who live and work in Singapore and consider it as their home.

In commemorating Singapore's 50th birthday, this book will add to the understanding of the richness and diversity of Singapore society, and help readers appreciate and reflect on how openness and connectivity have contributed to the success of Singapore in its first 50 years.