Lee Kuan Yew Books
Lee Kuan Yew (1923–2015) was the founding Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1959 to 1990. Widely regarded as the architect of Singapore’s rapid development, he played a central role in transforming the country into one of the world’s most successful economies.
Known for: From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965–2000
Books by Lee Kuan Yew
From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965–2000
This memoir by Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, recounts the nation’s transformation from a struggling postcolonial state into a prosperous global hub. Covering the years 1965 to 2000, it details the political, economic, and social strategies that shaped modern Singapore, offering insights into leadership, governance, and nation-building.
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Early Struggles
Independence came to us abruptly, and with it came an enormous void. Singapore in 1965 was fragile: unemployment hovered around 10 percent, our population was growing faster than our economy, and our streets bore the signs of unrest. We had no army, no stable currency, and certainly no natural resou...
From From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965–2000
Building a National Identity
Singapore was born a divided society—Chinese, Malay, Indian, and others living under mutual suspicion, shaped by colonial legacies and racial politics. After independence, the most urgent mission was to build a common identity. I believed this could not be done through slogans; it had to be codified...
From From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965–2000
About Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew (1923–2015) was the founding Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1959 to 1990. Widely regarded as the architect of Singapore’s rapid development, he played a central role in transforming the country into one of the world’s most successful economies.
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Lee Kuan Yew (1923–2015) was the founding Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1959 to 1990. Widely regarded as the architect of Singapore’s rapid development, he played a central role in transforming the country into one of the world’s most successful economies.
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