Malay Heritage of Singapore
Aileen T. Lau & Bernhard Platzdasch (eds.)
Singapore: Suntree Media, 2010
ISBN: 9789810860295

This book aims to provide a substantive account of major aspects of Malay life in Singapore, drawing upon a rich history and regional ethnic cultures that shaped the Malay community. Researched essays provide valuable insights into important moments in Malay history while other chapters describe the rich cultural achievements of the Malays.

In Singapore's ancient history, Malay life may be traced as far back as the 7th to 11th centuries, during the Sri Vijaya period, and to the Majapahit empire in the 14th century. The book also charts the progression of the Malay community through colonial times, war and political strife in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The early settlers were engaged in trade and politics and set up the old port town in the Kampong Gelam, Rochor and Kallang area, bringing with them many sub-cultures from their original homes in island Southeast Asia. Among them came the Javanese, Bugis, Boyanese, Minangs, Banjaris and many other ethnic groups that enriched the tapestry of Malay life with literary and folkloric influences, visual arts, decorative and architectural styles, beliefs and rituals, family structure and traditions, village and community life, and past-times and entertainment. Over time, independence and nationhood, the Malay community thrived alongside other migrant communities in Singapore, its rich heritage a part of the nation's cultural assets today.

The book is lavishly illustrated with more than 556 maps, photographs and other illustrative materials to enhance each of the 16 chapters.

Between two oceans: a military history of Singapore From 1275 to 1971 [2nd ed]
Malcolm M. Murfett, John N. Miksic, Brian P. Farrell & Chiang Ming Shun
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2011
ISBN: 9789814302883

Many books have been written about Singapore's development as a crucial maritime centre along the East-West trading route, but one aspect of its history has for the most part escaped serious attention: the military perspective.

Between Two Oceans plugs this historical gap. Drawing on an impressive range of archaeological and historical sources, the book traces the geo-strategic development of Singapore from its first settlement in the thirteenth century, through the turbulent phases of the Early Modern period, to the dramatic military episodes that were such a distinctive feature of the twentieth century. The authors break new ground in dispelling many of the myths about Singapore's military history that have formed over the years and come to be accepted as fact.

A dozen years after its first appearance, Between Two Oceans remains the gold standard in the field. In this second edition, the authors have revised and updated their essays in light of the latest findings, adding yet more layers to this rich and riveting account of defence, grand strategy, and the fateful clash of imperial ambitions.

Brand Singapore: How Nation Branding Built Asia's Leading Global City
Koh Buck Song
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Business, 2011
ISBN: 9789814328159

Reputation is precious. Top talent and hot money gravitate only to the most attractive, respected nations. For a country as small and as young as Singapore, its brand is its most valuable asset.

Singapore's stunning ascent from Third World to First World in a matter of 30 years was spearheaded by a concerted, closely-coordinated programme of nation building. Brand Singapore helped to attract the investments, business, trade, tourism and talented human resources that are the lifeblood of a successful nation. Today, the city-state is known internationally as a dynamic, safe, corruption-free place to do business, a Garden City, and increasingly, a vibrant city of culture and the arts. In global surveys of quality of life, Singapore regularly tops the charts.

How did Singapore create this country brand, cultivate and guard it, sell it to its "shareholders", and make it known to the world? Drawing on two decades in the nation branding game, Koh Buck Song offers an illuminating inside look at - and candid critique of - a country brand that is as rich in resource as it is potent with promise.

Images of Singapore
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2011
ISBN: 9789814328654

From the majestic Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resorts to the stately, colonial-style Supreme Court; from the dynamic pulse of the central business district to a tranquil stroll along the Southern Ridges Canopy Walk; and from the high-octane exhilaration of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix to the joyous festivities of Chinese New Year, Singapore is a truly cosmopolitan mix of East and West, past and present, and tradition and modernity.

Filled with stunning photographs of Singapore's vibrant yet harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, architecture, nature and the arts, Images of Singapore presents a panoramic look at the dynamic 'Little Red Dot', its people and their lifestyles.

This coffee table book is the perfect introduction to those keen on a visit to Singapore, and an excellent keepsake for tourists, locals and anyone with an eye for culture brought to life through the lens.

On a Street in Singapore: A Comic View of Singapore
James Suresh
Singapore: Training Plus International, 2010
ISBN: 9789810870461

The title of this book was inspired by a song written back in the 1940s and performed by renowned artists like Bing Crosby and The Manhattan Transfer. The lyrics of the song provide a mystical, oriental description of Singapore with its reference to temple bells, lotus flowers and a traveller being drawn to the island by perfumes of Shalimar.

Singapore today still retains some of the old world charm and the traveller will find traces of old Singapore in places like Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. But today Singapore is also a modern, cosmopolitan city-state with a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural popualtion.

Besides tips on popular tourist attractions, this book will also provide the reader with an insider's view of Singapore by looking at life in the public housing estates where most Singaporeans live. The reader will get an overview of the history of the island, learn about local food and get an introduction to habits that might seem peculiar to an outsider. There is even a section on Singlish, the local version of English which includes Chinese, Malay and Indian words.

This book will be a handy guide to visitors whilst providing some quirky facts to those who wish to know more about Singapore.

Our Very Own: Stories Celebrating Adoptive Families
TOUCH Family Services Limited
Singapore: TOUCH Family Services Limited, 2010
ISBN: 9789810869403

Our Very Own is an inspiring collection of true stories. Honest, heartfelt and reflective, these stories give readers poignant glimpses of the raw emotions which the adoptive parents go through - unbearable pain, fears, anxieties, feelings of longing and despair - while celebrating their journey of unconditional love, courage, fulfilled dreams, hope and self-discovery. The book also addresses practical adoption issues like making a decision on adoption, the adoption process, and ways to care for adopted children. A first-of-its-kind in Singapore, Our Very Own is a vital resource book for adoptive parents and for service providers working in the arena of adoption.

Shorts 1
Haresh Sharma
Singapore: The Necessary Stage, 2010
ISBN: 9789810876746

This collection of short plays represents some of Haresh Sharma's best and popular early works. The collection also contains an introduction by Alvin Tan as well as notes to each play by the writer.

Heritage Feasts: A Collection of Singapore Family Recipes
Annette Tan (ed.)
Singapore: Ate Media for Miele Pte Ltd, 2010
ISBN: 9789810874001

This cookbook focuses on how heritage food forms an indelible link between one's sense of history and one's sense of family. Through vivid life stories of 30 prominent personalities who have, in different ways, made significant contributions to Singapore and 59 heritage recipes shared by them, Heritage Feasts highlights that, by learning and passing on your own family's treasured dishes, you too are helping to strengthen and extend the fine threads of history and family.

Heritage Feasts also encourages the modern family to create new shared moments and continue traditions of familial feasting around the dinner table. In this book you will find an invaluable collection of true-blue Singaporean dishes, all beautifully illustrated with sumptuous pictures by award-winning photographer Edmond Ho. These include a family favourite from acclaimed jazz singer Claressa Monteiro - the oxtail soup by her mother, the dry mutton curry which Subhas Anandan's mother whipped up for the renowned criminal lawyer's long-awaited homecoming, a rare recipe for sambal buah keluak, taken from the notebooks of Mrs Seow Poh Leng, the original inspiration behind playwright Stella Kon's acclaimed monodrama Emily of Emerald Hill, and a comforting tomato soup which filmmaker Eric Khoo enjoyed as a child.

A meaningful cookbook project commissioned in celebration of Miele's 11th anniversary, Heritage Feasts is the work of industry veterans - including food magazine editor Josephine Tully, local food expert Christopher Tan and top lensmen Edmond Ho and Mervin Chua - and is a rare platform for the promotion of Singapore culinary traditions.

The Dream Lives On: The National Stadium - Our Grand Old Dame
Godfrey Robert
Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings for Singapore Sports Council, 2010
ISBN: 9789814266154

The National Stadium, a familiar landmark in Kallang, has served Singapore tirelessly for more than 30 years. For decades, she has witnessed our nation's joys, cheers and triumphs; and above all, she has been the home of many dreams.

News announcing her retirement in 2007 triggered a wave of emotions from those who have had many happy memories on her grounds and brought forth a wealth of stories to share.

This book pays tribute to the Grand Old Dame as she passes the baton on to the new Singapore Sports Hub - from her beginnings in sleepy Kallang, to her maturity, and finally her graceful retirement from the sporting arena. As we reminisce about the past, we will also take a peek into the future with a glimpse of the new Singapore Sports Hub.

Rodyk: 150 Years
Cheong Suk-Wai
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2011
ISBN: 9789814266888

Rodyk & Davidson, Singapore's first professional practice to lay claim to a heritage of 150 years, shares its past glories and less than glorious episodes in its colourful history. This law partnership has stood firm and tall in Raffles Place for 150 years, riding through grave personal tragedies, two world wars, internment by the Japanese and the occasional scandal or three. In that time, its lawyers drafted Malaya's first constitution and almost every pre-World War II ordinance in Singapore, facilitated the legal creation of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation and advised Singapore premier Lee Kuan Yew. It was Singapore's pre-eminent law firm up to the few years following the departure of Graham Hill, its most famous son in modern times, and Tom Potts, the last of its expatriate lawyers, who left Singapore in 1976 and 1977 in the wake of the Haw Par-Slater Walker scandal. Over the next two decades, the firm lost some of its lustre. Then in November 2002 the 141-year-old firm entered into a historic merger with Helen Yeo & Partners, a firm which had stayed in a start-up mode through its short 10-year life. The merger of equals brought the combined firm into the league of five largest law firms. In eight short years, the transformation of the firm gave it a higher profile and standing not seen since the late 1970s. Rodyk's management makes its contribution to the legal profession by sharing the management concepts and philosophies that unlocked the value of a heritage name and transformed the firm. The insights in outgoing Managing Partner Helen Yeo's "Perspectives" and the last three chapters give us a glimpse of the elixir for professional life referred to by Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong in his essay "The Rise and Fall and Rise of Heritage Law Firms". The firm's Managing Partner from 2011, Senior Counsel Philip Jeyaretnam, contributes his perspective in the last pages.

While the rebirth and rebranding of a venerable firm is of direct interest to lawyers and business readers, the firm's role in the history of Singapore and its neighbours makes this book a tantalising read for anyone who enjoys the history of business and the business of transformation.