Peranakan Chinese in a Globalizing Southeast Asia
Leo Suryadinata (ed.)
Singapore: Chinese Heritage Centre and Baba House, 2010
ISBN: 9789810852627

Peranakan Chinese communities and their "hybrid" culture have fascinated many observers. Some argue that they are still alive while others maintain that they have become a museum topic. Such arguments have sprung from different perspectives. Based on the papers presented at a recent conference on the Peranakan Chinese, this publication aims at addressing some of the questions revolving around these communities in a globalizing Southeast Asia.

Goh Keng Swee: A Portrait
Tan Siok Sun
Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 2010
ISBN: 9789814260398

Dr Goh Keng Swee's public career spanned two eventful decades. He was a founding and key member of Singapore's ruling political party, and played a significant role in creating and shaping the destiny of Singapore today. His areas of responsibility were wide-ranging, including finance, defence, and education. Yet for all his accomplishments, he was a private man and few were fully aware of all the influences that shaped his thoughts and actions.

During his periods of service as Minister for Finance, Defence and Education during the 1960s and 1970s, Dr Goh oversaw Singapore's achievement of Independence, the creation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the start of National Service, and the establishment of the Jurong Industrial Estate.

Based on extensive research, including interviews with family members, friends and colleagues, this is an anecdotal account of Dr Goh's life-story told by the author, his daughter-in-law. The author traces Dr Goh's footsteps from his humble beginnings in Melaka, to his days at Raffles College and the London School of Economics, to his service in the Singapore Government, and finally, to his eventual retirement.

The book traces the evolution of Dr Goh's thought, as he moved on in life: a top student in school, a civil servant under colonial rule, a young Nationalist, and finally one of the key architects of post-independent Singapore. Dr Goh's story is one of daring, of moral courage, and of friendships forged over many years. Above all, his achievements in helping to create the modern landscape of institutions, environments and values that constitute Singapore today represent a vital legacy for the nation's present and future generations.

Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock
Alan Shadrake
Petaling Jaya: Strategic Information and Research Development Centre, 2010
ISBN: 9789675832000

Over the past few decades, investigative journalism has come to mean the kind of brave reporting that exposes injustice, wrongdoing and, above all, the abuse of power. Alan Shadrake's hard-hitting new book cuts through the façade of official silence to reveal disturbing truths about Singapore's use of the death penalty. From in-depth interviews with Darshan Singh, Singapore’s chief executioner for nearly fifty years, to meticulously researched accounts of numerous high profile cases, Once a Jolly Hangman reveals the cruelty and imprudence of an entire judicial system. At the same time he displays a touching empathy with the anguish of the victims and their families. This important book should be required reading for human rights activists everywhere.

Those Who Can't, Teach
Haresh Sharma
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2010
ISBN: 9789810855109

Those Who Can't, Teach turns the spotlight on the mapcap lives of teachers and students in a typical secondary school in Singapore. As the teachers struggle daily to nurture and groom, the students prefer to hang out and "chillax". With upskirting and facebooking, griping and politicking, school takes on a whole new meaning as the colourful characters struggle to prove that those who can, teach.

Pioneers Once More: The Singapore Public Service 1959-2009
Chua Mui Hoong
Singapore: Straits Times Press and Public Service Division, 2010
ISBN: 9789814266581

"The story of how Singapore overcame the odds is a familiar one. Less familiar is the role of the Singapore Public Service, which has operated in the background, and in partnership with the political leadership, developed and implemented the policies and plans that have helped to make Singapore what it is today. This book is the first about the Singapore Public Service as a whole, and tells the story of the Public Service from the time Singaporeans took over the reins of self-government from the British in 1959.

The book focuses on governance and public administration, and touches on the social, environmental, economic and security issues of the day. We hope that it will provide you with a glimpse of who we are and what we do, through the stories of our people.

Fifty years on, the Singapore Public Service has matured in tandem with Singapore. Today's officers operate on a strong foundation built by preceding generations. The values of commitment, pragmatism and excellence that define the Singapore Public Service will be as important today as they were in the beginning.

Going forward, the Singapore Public Service will have to learn to better deal with the strategic disruptions and discontinuities that characterise the uncertain and unpredictable world we live in today. We will have to learn to manage complexity and change. We will have to learn to manage risks intelligently. Maintaining a first-class Public Service, worthy of Singapore, is a journey without end. I am proud to invite you to take this journey through the eyes of officers of the Singapore Public Service."
-Peter Ho, Head of Civil Service

The Sikhs in Singapore
Arunajeet Kaur
Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2010
ISBN: 9789814279925

This book attempts to understand the arrival, settlement, and subsequent assimilation of Sikhs into the multiracial society of Singapore. It traces the story of the Sikh experience in Singapore from their arrival in the colonial Straits Settlements through to their recognition as a 'model minority' in the post independent republic. This multi-disciplinary narrative begins by exploring primary historical documents and continues with an ethnographic stance in describing the contemporary issues facing the Sikh community. In this approach the author presents a narrative that spans over a hundred years in an attempt to understand the changes and developments of the Singaporean Sikh community.

Phoenix Rising: Narratives in Nyonya Beadwork From the Straits Settlements
Hwei-Fe'n Cheah
Singapore: NUS Press, 2010
ISBN: 9789971694685

Intricate, meticulously crafted, and visually distinctive, Nyonya beadwork occupies a significant role in the cultural imaginary of the Peranakan Chinese, the acculturated descendants of Chinese migrants to the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago.

As an activity, beadwork was once an important part of a Peranakan Chinese girl's set of skills. As an object, carefully crafted Nyonya beadwork was used at weddings and other celebratory occasions, touching the lives of Peranakan men and women, young and old. In this way, Nyonya beadwork became entwined within the wider relationships of gender, generation, and social hierarchy in Peranakan society. The Peranakans also incorporated into their beadwork styles and motifs that reflected their changing ideals, aspirations, and lifestyles. Inscribed into the history of Nyonya beadwork is a narrative of the peranakan Chinese community's cultural transformations.

Don't Gamble Your Life Away!: Help for Pathological Gamblers
Wong Kim Eng, Raphael Lim, Thomas Lee Kae Meng
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2010
ISBN: 9789814266550

Gambling is a recreational activity common in cultures all over the world. For most people, gambling is a relaxing pastime with few negative consequences. The problem starts when gamblers lose control and bet money they cannot - and in the process sacrifice their job, family, friends, and even their life.

When does gambling become a problem? What are the warning signs to look out for? Can a gambling addict recover and take control of his life again?

This book, the first written locally on problem gambling, addresses the concerns of gamblers and their families, with comprehensive sections on:
-Understanding pathological gambling
-Treatment methods
-Impact on the family
-Community resources and helplines

This book also contains real-life stories of people who have battled gambling addiction and are making their journey towards recovery.

The Sacred Hill
Joan Yap
Singapore: Joan yap, 2010
ISBN: 9789810842468

Seven hundred years ago, Sang Nila Utama stepped on the shores of a forgotten sea town called Temasek. It was believed that he saw a lion and named the island Singapura, the Lion City. Henceforth, Sang Nila Utama and his descendants, the legendary five kings of Singapura ruled the kingdom from a palace on Bukit Larangan, the Forbidden Hill.

Who was Sang Nila Utama? Where did he come from? Did he actually see a lion? Why did the kingdom come to an end? What happened to the last king?

The Sacred Hill gives a fresh view of the myths and legends of Singapore. Read the story with an open mind, be transported to the time of a bygone era and enjoy the discovery of old world charm and mystique.

The Accidental Conductor
Toh Ban Sheng
Singapore: Armour Publishing, 2010
ISBN: 9789814270861

The Accidental Conductor is about the story of a self-made musician. The Young Artist Award recipient of 2006 started out his music career without any formal training until he reached 30 years of age. Although he majored in Physics, his passion for music drove him to take chances with each little opportunity that came his way. He was, perhaps, the only conductor whose choirs have twice won the highest national accolade of Best Choir of the Year without him having a single piano lesson in his life.

This book tells of how he grew up in a conservative average family, took a unique path to his tertiary education, and eventually became a full-fledged musician in the choral world - although it was a slight deviation from his childhood dream of becoming an opera singer.