Singapore Handbook, 2nd (Footprint - Pocket Guides) [Paperback]

Jane Bickersteth (Author), Joshua Eliot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001 | Series: Footprint - Pocket Guides

Singapore is an unlikely place. It has been engineered to unexpected economic success and 'imagineered' into an entertainment playground for the historically and ecologically impaired citizens of Singapore, whose government once implored them to 'have spontaneous fun'. A report in The Economist judged Singapore to be the most boring city in the world. For those who fail to venture beyond the plazas that line Orchard Road, or spend their time on coach trips to the ersatz cultural extravaganzas, this is not surprising. But, despite its brash consumerism and toy-town mentality, Singapore is certainly not without its charm.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joshua Eliot first set foot in Singapore as a child, but became seriously interested in things Asian when he studied at the School of Oriental & African Studies in London. Since then events have taken him back to the region two or three times a year, sometimes for long periods. He has worked at the University of Singapore, written children's books and given radio broadcasts and lectured on cruise liners. Jane Bickersteth first visited Singapore in the early 1980s. She has since returned on numerous occasions to research and write about the country and has in the process, walked most of Singapore's streets. As an artist Jane has a particular interest in the material cultures of the country, and the fusion of East and West.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Footprint Handbooks; 2nd edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1900949938
• ISBN-13: 978-1900949934
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,572,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of Singapore, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Footprint Singapore Handbook: The Travel Guide (Paperback)

In planning my trip to Singapore, I found this book had everything I wanted to know. It gave an excellent overview of hotels and restaurants. I liked how it focused on the different areas of downtown Singapore and the background/history section was great.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great background but some details are out of date, October 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Singapore Handbook, 2nd (Footprint - Pocket Guides) (Paperback)

Great history and background. A little critical of the so-called Singapore Miracle -- but that is not a stance without merit. (After all, it's the most successful totalitarian state on the planet!)

Note that this second edition was written in 2000, and is missing some important details (like the fact that there is a Chinatown stop on the MRT these days; or the fact that the Chinese Heritage museum has been completely re-done as a multimedia experience akin to the Asian Civilizations Museum -- and while a little hokey is quite effective at communicating the history of the Chinese experience in Singapore; etc.)

Definitely more meat to this guidebook than most.