Book Review – Singapore: A Modern History, by Michael Barr

When I was notified about Barr’s new book, I jumped at the chance to read and review it.

This book will probably take you more than a couple of hours to read, if you’re reading it carefully. I like to keep in mind that it takes the author/scholar/historian far more than 10x that amount of time to research, write, and edit the book!

I posted a review of Michael Barr’s other book, The Ruling Elite of Singapore, back in March 2014. Holy Smokes, that’s a solid half decade ago.

Anyway, on to the review proper…

X’Ho: Saved Comment on LKY

Great post via X’Ho in March 2015, with many pertinent points mentioned (based on a comment by netizen “hortensisus_truth,” saved by X’Ho).

Re-posted below.

Excerpts from “Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore”

See #14 to see which minister described the PAP as shouting “Fire” while committing arson.

Excerpts from “Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore”

by T. J. S. George (1973)

Link: Amazon | NLB

Excerpts from “Anti-colonialism. . .Operation Coldstore”

Excerpts from “‘The Fundamental Issue is Anti-colonialism, Not Merger’: Singapore’s ‘Progressive Left’, Operation Coldstore, and the Creation of Malaysia”

by Thum Ping Tjin (2013)

PDF Link to Journal Article: Academia.edu

PAP: Fascist Dictatorship (1963)

Excerpt from longer speech below:

“The PAP is endangering democracy. . .parliamentary democracy under the PAP has already become Fascist dictatorship.”
— Dr. Lee Siew Choh (1963)

Hong Lysa / Operation Coldstore

I saw a picture of Dr. Hong Lysa the other day, which reminded me of one of LKY’s quotes.

Separating Myths from Reality

* Thanks to FMT for featuring this as their highlight story.

During this time of mass sympathising, I think it is important to keep certain things in perspective.