The Life and Times of Gerald de Cruz: A Singaporean of Many Worlds
Asad-ul Iqbal Latif
Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2015
ISBN: 9789814620680

Gerald de Cruz's life overlapped many of the spheres of Singapore's history after World War II. As a Eurasian, a nationalist, a communist and then a democratic socialist, as a journalist and a writer, he represents the insurgent energies of a truculent time when a nascent nation was seeking the basis of statehood. His commitment to progressive ideas and movements reveals a man of integrity in search of himself in a better world. This book seeks to portray his place in time, particularly for younger Singaporeans who did not live in an era that has inaugurated the history of independent Singapore.

It Changed My Life: Inspirational Stories
Wong Kim Hoh
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642286

Inspiring real-life stories by The Straits Times Senior Writer Wong Kim Hoh about lives that have been dramatically changed by events, people or circumstances.

The story of turning the other cheek: Her nose was hacked off 25 years ago by a man wielding a cleaver. Her attacker also chopped off her ears, hewed her cheeks and blinded her in the right eye by pouring boiling water onto her face. "The nurses had to cover all mirrors and reflective glass in my ward. I was hysterical. When my son saw me for the first time after the attack, he screamed and ran away and said I was a ghost," she recalls.

The story of piloting a nasi lemak business: He was unhappy when his dad asked him to give up his aviation dream. He relented after his father said: "If you go and pilot aeroplanes, who is going to pilot my stall?" Today, his nasi lemak is famous. The Sultan of Brunei requests his nasi lemak for breakfast each time he visits Singapore. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong served it to Indonesian President Joko Widodo when the latter visited the Istana.

The story of the girl with something special: Isabelle Lim weighs only 30kg, is deaf and has has just four fingers on each hand. She has Nager Syndrome -- of which there are only 200 documented cases worldwide -- and has undergone multiple operations.

... and many more stories that celebrate the human spirit, broaden the mind, encourage the weak and downtrodden, and instil greater hope and faith in the inner strength of humanity.

From Kilts to Sarongs: Scottish Pioneers of Singapore
Graham Berry
Singapore: Landmark Books, 2015
ISBN: 9789814189651

Farquhar, Crawford, Cavenagh, Thomson, Anderson, Napier, Fullerton, Henderson, MacRitchie, MacPherson, Outram, Purvis, Spottiswoode. These are some of the Scots who have played a part in making Singapore.

Guthrie, Fraser & Neave, Rodyk & Davidson, Sime Darby, Swan & Maclaren, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Straits Trading Company. These are just a few of the numerous companies with Scottish founders who continue to play an active role in the economy of Singapore.

The old Parliament House, Raffles Institution, Raffles Hotel, Stamford House, Goodwood Park Hotel, Cairnhill, Horsburgh Lighthouse, MacDonald House. All these places and more have Scottish connections in one way or another.

Written in a popular style, this book tells the story of the Scots -- administrators, engineers, traders and various professionals -- who helped to develop early Singapore and lay some of the foundations for its undoubted growth and success.

The first book on the subject, it appeals to not only the large Scottish community in Singapore, but also all who are interested in the history and heritage of Singapore.

What's Inside the Red Box?
Phua San San
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642279

This is a story about a box that holds big dreams for a little country.

There is a man whose red box is always by his side. What's inside the red box? Three children are determined to find out.

This book is inspired by Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his red box, which he used while he was in political office. It contained his work -- papers, speech drafts, letters, readings, notes and cassette tapes with his recorded instructions.

Today, the red box has become a symbol of his unwavering passion for and dedication to Singapore.

What's Inside The Red Box? gives children a peek into the big dreams Mr Lee had for the nation.

Reflections: The Legacy of Lee Kuan Yew
Yang Razali Kassim (ed.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814723886 / 9789814723879

Reflections: The Legacy of Lee Kuan Yew is a collection of essays reflecting Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's immense contribution to nation-building and the idea of development, including its various models -- from government and statecraft, leadership and governance, to economic development and the management of plural societies. The essays are written by an array of authors who had worked closely with, for, or grew up under Lee Kuan Yew. As thinkers, scholars and researchers across generations, they provide different perspectives on the multifaceted and impressive legacy of Singapore's first Prime Minister. The insights offered will be of great value in future when scholars studying Singapore in particular, and nation-building in general, look back to assess what made modern Singapore so successful despite being a tiny polyglot nation-state.

Not Born in Singapore: Fifty Personalities Who Shaped the Nation
Tng Ying Hui
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2015
ISBN: 9789814655415

Did you know that we owe the iconic Singapore Girl to a British-born adman? Or that the founder of the much-beloved Mustafa Centre hails from India? This year as we celebrate our local heroes, it's also time to put the spotlight on other unsung contributors who have contributed to our nation. They may have come from other shores, but these 50 foreigners have left their mark in building Singapore into the nation we know it to be today. Most of us are aware of the talented athletes who have put our little red dot on the sporting map, but what of those who have made a difference in the arts, our society and our economy? This book pays homage to the names, faces, and stories behind familiar national treasures such as our Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Keppel Shipyard and A*STAR.

A Hakka Woman's Singapore Stories
Lee Wei Ling
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642477

Dr Lee Wei Ling, scion of Singapore's first family, writes about her life as a daughter, doctor and diehard Singaporean. This book addresses a range of matters affecting Singaporeans in a personal way. It reflects her personality, profession, relationships, passions and perspective of life, Singapore and the world, and her loved ones. The chapters are grouped thematically and are capped by an epilogue of six articles which encapsulate the two events that had a major impact on the writer, and resonated deeply with Singaporeans: the passing of her parents.

It's Easy to Cry
Subhas Anandan
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2015
ISBN: 9789814561525

Subhas Anandan passed away on 7 January 2015 at the age of 68. He was Singapore's the best-known criminal lawyer, having led several landmark cases that shaped the face of criminal law in Singapore.

In this volume It's Easy to Cry, this foremost champion of pro bono work moves away from depicting gruesome murders and delves instead into the emotions behind the crimes. He writes about cases where deep and complex emotions are displayed, like the mother who lied and pleaded guilty to save her son. He also shares his thoughts on the many people who have affected him in one way of the other and the legal system in Singapore.

LKY on Governance, Management, Life: A Collection of Quotes from Lee Kuan Yew
Janice Tay (ed.)
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642347

Politician, prime minister, statesman, husband, father: Lee Kuan Yew was all these things and more in a life spanning 91 years and a political career that lasted more than half a century. In that time, he and the other first-generation leaders of Singapore catapulted the country from the backwaters of the Third World into the ranks of the First.

This three-volume set brings together quotations from Lee's speeches, books and interviews that sum up his views on subjects ranging from the political to the personal.

Little White Books: Quotations From Lee Kuan Yew serves both as an introduction to the man widely regarded as Singapore's founding father, as well as a reminder of what he stood and fought for. It aims to be most accessible compendium ever published on the man, capturing his most piquant aphorisms and views on governance, management and life. For every section, relevant photographs of Mr Lee are also featured alongside the quotes.

Sam Leong: A Family Cookbook: Cooking Across Three Generations
Sam Leong
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2015
ISBN: 9789814677462

Cooking runs in the Leong family. Sam's late father was a renowned Cantonese chef and his mother used to run her own chicken rice stall. His wife, Forest, is herself a Thai chef and his son, Joe Leong, is a budding pastry chef.

Sam Leong: A Family Cookbook is as much a celebration of food that has kept the Leong family cooking together, as a collection of Chinese family favourites.

Put together by Sam and his family, this treasury features recipes for time-tested dishes such as stir-fried chicken with basil leaves, everyday staples such as winter melon soup, and contemporary favourites such as salted egg crab, which Sam himself enjoys preparing and eating together with his family. Bonus recipes include sweet treats such as tiramisu and vanilla panna cotta, which would not be out of place on any modern Chinese table today.

My Friendship With Singapore's Greatest Painter
Ch'ng Poh Tiong
Singapore: Zhuang Productions, 2015
ISBN: 9789810952488

My Friendship with Singapore's Greatest Painter is the first English biography of Tan Swie Hian, who holds the record (at US$3.3 million) for the highest price for a painting by a living South-East Asian artist. Chinese art cognoscenti regard the Singaporean in the great tradition of scholar literati such as Tang Dynasty Wang Wei, Song Dynasty Su Shi and Yuan Dynasty Zhao Mengfu, men steeped in philosophy and incredibly talented in painting, calligraphy and poetry. Works by Su and Zhao from the collection of Taiwan’s Palace Museum are vividly reproduced.

The biography also reveals how Tan Chan Pok, the artist's father and the wealthiest man in Bagansiapiapi, Sumatra, escaped an assassination attempt. Drawings by the painter's beloved mother, Madam Lie Soie, are also published for the first time. So too the latest calligraphy by Tan Swie Hian, his only self-portrait, early works from the 1970s, and an extensive portfolio that includes "A Couple", a painting of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his wife Kwa Geok Choo when they were students at Cambridge University.

In January 2013, a fire broke out in Tan's studio. The first thing he saved were not his paintings (conservatively estimated to be worth US$10 million) but a stray cat. When asked why he did not salvage the artworks first, the great humanist replied "I chose life".

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.

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.

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.

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.

From Clementi to Carnegie: The Journey of Singaporean Violinist Siow Lee Chin
Siow Lee Chin
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2015
ISBN: 9789814642224

From Clementi to Carnegie is an inspirational autobiography of Singaporean violinist Siow Lee Chin. The story of one of Singapore's favorite daughters of classical music began at age 15 when, against the odds, Lee Chin made the leap from her humble Clementi HDB flat to become the first Singaporean talent-spotted to study at America's prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, which has produced musical giants the likes of conductor Leonard Bernstein. Single-handedly, she carved a name as one of the most distinguished violinists of her generation, at a time when classical music was not the popular career choice in Singapore. But success was by no means smooth sailing.

In 2012, she faced her biggest setback -- a career-threatening injury from a car accident which broke both bones in her left arm -- the arm which holds her violin. Surgery could not guarantee that she would ever regain the fine motor skills needed to make her violin sing again. But through faith and determination, she worked note by note, scale by scale to put her life together again. A year after her accident, she made her comeback as a soloist performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, considered one of the most technically demanding pieces for a violinist. Today, Lee Chin is 100% back on track (with titanium-reinforced arms), honoured to share her inspirational journey with the world.

Jeremy Monteiro: Late Night Thoughts of a Jazz Musician
Jeremy Monteiro
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2015
ISBN: 9789814516655

Jeremy Monteiro is a thinker and an observer. He likes to think about music, life, people, and human existence and he loves to observe human behavior. He loves people, loves to tell stories and share experiences.

From his formidable virtuosity on the piano where he communicates non-verbally, to the stories he tells on the stage at his many packed concerts and jazz club shows, he has often kept his show audiences in rapt attention. He has now also taken to sharing his thoughts in writing.

His Facebook and Blog posts have attracted thousands of "Likes" and comments. Both in person and in writing he loves to tell stories and set people thinking and talking. Some of his Facebook posts have garnered hundreds of "Shares," each of which has become their own lively discussion forums. In this book, he revisits, rewrites and updates many of his postings along with many new thoughts and stories.

Sometimes thoughtful and sometimes silly, sometimes cogent and sometimes irreverent, he writes with the confidence of one who has seen a fair bit of the ups & downs of life and is not afraid to speak his mind, while always observing his personal guiding light of fair comment.

Going from a fond reminiscence that tugs at the heartstrings, to a seductive but perhaps unworkable idea which may leave you quizzical, from a serious thought to a funny story that may evoke a huge guffaw, each essay will randomly take you on a journey into the mind of one Singapore’s most loved and respected musicians.

Lee Kuan Yew: Blazing the Freedom Trail
Anthony Oei
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2015
ISBN: 9789814677776

It was the 1950s, a tumultuous time for post-war Singapore. Disgruntled with the British ruling power, anti-colonial forces comprising nationalist freedom fighters and communists were calling for independence. The main contenders for ruling power were the People's Action Party, led by nationalist Lee Kuan Yew, and the Communist Party of Malaya, headed by Chin Peng.

Displaying their calibre and political acumen, Lee Kuan Yew and his team overcame all adversities. Lee, who became Singapore's first Prime Minister in 1959, orchestrated the movement to build a prosperous and peaceful Singapore, and to mould a new Singaporean. In one generation, they elevated the nation from Third World to First World status.

This updated edition of the book, first published in 2005, explores the leadership of Lee during Singapore's first 31 years. He is a symbol of Singapore's success. When he stepped down in 1990, he left "gold standards" — a clean and efficient government, world-class infrastructure and a business-friendly economy.

The success story of Singapore as an independent nation is a saga worth telling and preserving for posterity. The point at issue is whether Singapore could have achieved as much without Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and master craftsman of modern Singapore.

George Yeo on Bonsai, Banyan and the Tao
Asad-ul Iqbal Latif & Lee Huay Leng (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814520508

Since his undergraduate days in Cambridge, George Yeo has spoken and written much in and out of government. Many remember the things which he said or wrote years ago. This book is a compilation of some of his best speeches and writings which were selected by Asad Latif and Lee Huay Leng in consultation with him.

The book has a rather unusual title because there are many aspects to George Yeo which makes him difficult to classify. As a student leader, he was radical but conciliatory. In the Singapore Armed Forces, he was atypical, moving from the Army to the Air Force before becoming Director of Joint Operations and Planning. In politics, he is fondly remembered by artists, journalists, doctors, businessmen and foreign diplomats, and by his colleagues and constituents. His own staff said he had a curious mind. They complained that he rarely used the drafts which they had prepared for him.

George Yeo describes himself as a Taoist even though he is a Roman Catholic and is now on the Papal staff. Buddhists are surprised he championed the revival of Nalanda University as an international project. He remains close to Singaporeans of different races and religions even though he has a deep sense of his own ancestral roots and religion. In politics, he has been described both as a liberal and a conservative. In his Parliamentary maiden speech, he spoke of the importance of democracy but has repeated many times that democracy is only a means and not an end in itself. He has a deep interest in history which partly explains his seeing the re-emergence of China and India earlier than most others.

The bonsai and the banyan are metaphors he uses for Singapore. Singapore is a city-state and must never have an inflated view of itself. The bonsai describes Singapore modestly, but he adds that the bonsai can be intensely interesting and valuable. The banyan provides shade and we are grateful for it, but too much makes us weak. As for the Tao, that perhaps is what gives unity to his many interests.

K2: The Ultimate Peak
Khoo Swee Chiow
Singapore: Flame of the Forest, 2015
ISBN: 9789814315616

Khoo Swee Chiow takes on his ultimate and most dangerous challenge yet: K2. He is the first Singaporean and first Southeast Asian to summit this mighty peak. Nicknamed the "Savage Mountain" for its remoteness, ruggedness and unpredictable weather, K2 is the holy grail of mountaineering. One in four climbers who attempt it doesn't return, a death rate six times higher than Mount Everest's. As if the severe conditions on the mountain weren't challenging enough, Khoo has to deal with an eye problem that leaves him with blurred vision for part of the way. With death never far on the mountain, it takes calm nerves, a steely focus and a bit of help from nature to reach the summit. This is the sobering, detailed and inspirational account of Khoo's triumphant climb.