The Little Red Dot: Reflections by Singapore's Diplomats [Paperback]

Tommy Koh (Editor), Chang Li Lin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005 | ISBN-10: 9812564144 | ISBN-13: 978-9812564146

2005 is the 40th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. This collection of essays by Singapore’s past and present diplomats tells the remarkable story of how this small and vulnerable country has become a stable, prosperous and respected member of the international community. The essays include those from the late President Wee Kim Wee and President S R Nathan as well as seminal contributions from the four former Foreign Ministers — Mr S Rajaratnam, Mr S Dhanabalan, Mr Wong Kan Seng and Professor S Jayakumar. The current Foreign Minister, Mr George Yeo, has written the foreword. The absorbing stories about people, places and international politics make this book a highly enjoyable read for all who are interested in Singapore, its history, and foreign policy. In the stories contained in this book you will find and discover: · which other Q (quotient), besides IQ (intellectual quotient) and EQ (emotional quotient), a successful diplomat needs · how our diplomats helped to look after and evacuate Singaporeans in dangerous situations · how our diplomats have been able to overcome the size of our country and punch above our weight · why the burial of a buffalo head, with our diplomats acting as gravediggers, was of paramount significance to our embassy in Indonesia · about the 24/7 schedules that our foreign service desk officers keep, sleeping with handphones in their pyjamas · the advantage of being a lady Ambassador in a man’s world · the power of ideas and friends in diplomacy

Editorial Reviews

Review

... provides a fascinating set of insights into Singaporean diplomacy ... --Stephen Bosworth, Dean, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

A useful insight into the world views of Singapore's talented diplomatic corps. --Rosemary Foot, Professor of International Relations and Swire Senior Research Fellow, St Antony's College, University of Oxford

Singapore wields influence in the world wholly disproportionate to her size. These entertaining and instructive essays helps explain why. --Alan Hunt, Diplomatic Director, Oxford University Foreign Service Programme

Product Details

• Paperback: 492 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812564144
• ISBN-13: 978-9812564146
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,175,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for international business and understanding Singapore, April 13, 2006

By 

C. Yong (Seoul) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Little Red Dot: Reflections by Singapore's Diplomats (Paperback)

The book is made up of various accounts by Singapore Diplomats throughout its short history. It will gives insights to how a tiny nation with virtually no natural resources can command respect and create impact in the real diplomatic world of super-powerful nations and their agenda.

I bought the book to learn more of Singapore, but got more in return. It is very good book to understand diplomacy and international business, what are the manners, thinking, culture of various nations - and how to get your agenda through, that can be used in daily life and especially office politics.

This is very easy to read book, with the diplomats sharing short (couple of pages at most each) with real-life accounts of their experience and critical knowledge learned during their term. I highly recommend this book.