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From Third World to First: The Singapore Story - 1965-2000 Hardcover – October 3, 2000

by Lee Kuan Yew (Author)

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Few gave tiny Singapore much chance of survival when it was granted independence in 1965. How is it, then, that today the former British colonial trading post is a thriving Asian metropolis with not only the world's number one airline, best airport, and busiest port of trade, but also the world's fourth–highest per capita real income?

The story of that transformation is told here by Singapore's charismatic, controversial founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. Rising from a legacy of divisive colonialism, the devastation of the Second World War, and general poverty and disorder following the withdrawal of foreign forces, Singapore now is hailed as a city of the future. This miraculous history is dramatically recounted by the man who not only lived through it all but who fearlessly forged ahead and brought about most of these changes.

Delving deep into his own meticulous notes, as well as previously unpublished government papers and official records, Lee details the extraordinary efforts it took for an island city–state in Southeast Asia to survive at that time.

Lee explains how he and his cabinet colleagues finished off the communist threat to the fledgling state's security and began the arduous process of nation building: forging basic infrastructural roads through a land that still consisted primarily of swamps, creating an army from a hitherto racially and ideologically divided population, stamping out the last vestiges of colonial–era corruption, providing mass public housing, and establishing a national airline and airport.

In this illuminating account, Lee writes frankly about his trenchant approach to political opponents and his often unorthodox views on human rights, democracy, and inherited intelligence, aiming always "to be correct, not politically correct." Nothing in Singapore escaped his watchful eye: whether choosing shrubs for the greening of the country, restoring the romance of the historic Raffles Hotel, or openly, unabashedly persuading young men to marry women as well educated as themselves. Today's safe, tidy Singapore bears Lee's unmistakable stamp, for which he is unapologetic: "If this is a nanny state, I am proud to have fostered one."

Though Lee's domestic canvas in Singapore was small, his vigor and talent assured him a larger place in world affairs. With inimitable style, he brings history to life with cogent analyses of some of the greatest strategic issues of recent times and reveals how, over the years, he navigated the shifting tides of relations among America, China, and Taiwan, acting as confidant, sounding board, and messenger for them. He also includes candid, sometimes acerbic pen portraits of his political peers, including the indomitable Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, the poetry–spouting Jiang Zemin, and ideologues George Bush and Deng Xiaoping.

Lee also lifts the veil on his family life and writes tenderly of his wife and stalwart partner, Kwa Geok Choo, and of their pride in their three children –– particularly the eldest son, Hsien Loong, who is now Singapore's deputy prime minister.

For more than three decades, Lee Kuan Yew has been praised and vilified in equal measure, and he has established himself as a force impossible to ignore in Asian and international politics. From Third World to First offers readers a compelling glimpse into this visionary's heart, soul, and mind.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In this memoir, the man most responsible for Singapore's astonishing transformation from colonial backwater to economic powerhouse describes how he did it over the last four decades. It's a dramatic story, and Lee Kuan Yew has much to brag about. To take a single example: Singapore had a per-capita GDP of just $400 when he became prime minister in 1959. When he left office in 1990, it was $12,200 and rising. (At the time of this book's writing, it was $22,000.) Much of this was accomplished through a unique mix of economic freedom and social control. Lee encouraged entrepreneurship, but also cracked down on liberties that most people in the West take for granted--chewing gum, for instance. It's banned in Singapore because of "the problems caused by spent chewing gum inserted into keyholes and mailboxes and on elevator buttons." If American politicians were to propose such a thing, they'd undoubtedly be run out of office. Lee, however, defends this and similar moves, such as strong antismoking laws and antispitting campaigns: "We would have been a grosser, ruder, cruder society had we not made these efforts to persuade people to change their ways.... It has made Singapore a more pleasant place to live in. If this is a 'nanny state,' I am proud to have fostered one."

Lee also describes one of his most controversial proposals: tax breaks and schooling incentives to encourage educated men and women to marry each other and have children. "Our best women were not reproducing themselves because men who were their educational equals did not want to marry them.... This lopsided marriage and procreation pattern could not be allowed to remain unmentioned and unchecked," writes Lee. Most of the book, however, is a chronicle of how Lee helped create so much material prosperity. Anticommunism is a strong theme throughout, and Lee comments broadly on international politics. He is cautiously friendly toward the United States, chastising it for a "dogmatic and evangelical" foreign policy that scolds other countries for human-rights violations, except when they interfere with American interests, "as in the oil-rich Arabian peninsula." Even so, he writes, "the United States is still the most benign of all the great powers.... [and] all noncommunist countries in East Asia prefer America to be the dominant weight in the power balance of the region." From Third World to First is not the most gripping book imaginable, but it is a vital document about a fascinating place in a time of profound transition. --John J. Miller

From Booklist

Yew is not an endearing figure. He is arrogant, self-righteous, and seems unduly sensitive to criticism by "outsiders" of Singapore's record on human rights. Despite occasional efforts to hide his less-than-pleasant characteristics, they often burst through in his long and often fascinating account of the dramatic transformation of this island nation into a stable and prosperous society. As prime minister for more than three decades, Yew certainly merits credit for Singapore's emergence, and there is much to be learned from his version of his stewardship. This is a detailed and sometimes difficult read, particularly if one lacks a strong grounding in macroeconomics. Still, his description of the difficulties of nation building in a multiethnic society has great value; his efforts to mesh Western concepts of free enterprise with Third World traditions of a "guided economy" may not have universal applicability, but they deserve close scrutiny. This is an essential contribution in efforts to understand why some societies seem so successful in becoming important players in the global economy. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

"Lee Kuan Yew is one of the brightest, ablest men I have ever met. This book is a must read for people interested in a true Asian success story. From this book, we also learn a lot about the thinking of one of this century's truly visionary statesmen."
-- George Bush

"In office, I read and analysed every speech of [Lee's]. He had a way of penetrating the fog of propaganda and expressing with unique clarity the issues of our time sand the way to tackle them. He was never wrong."
-- Margaret Thatcher

"Lee Kuan Yew deserves recognition? Under his leadership, Singapore... equipped schools with one computer for every two students, and connected every home to a broadband network. On top of all that, he's a great storyteller."
-- Scott McNealy, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems Inc.

"There are two equalizers in life: the Internet and education. Lee Kuan Yew is a world leader who understands this and is using the power of the Internet to position Singapore for survival and success in the Internet economy...His engaging memoirs discuss his efforts to reshape Singapore, integrating information technology into the country's businesses, government and homes."
-- John Chambers, President & CEO, Cisco Systems

"Whenever I met Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, I was deeply impressed by his intellect, his vision and the depth of hisunderstanding on history and society. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you will see in this book how a political leader of insight has led a tiny country to a prosperous modern society amid the tidal waves of world politics. And you will also find his ingenious views on Asia and the world to be a source of deep inspiration."
-- Kim Dae-jung, President of the Republic of Korea

"Lee Kuan Yew is one of the seminal figures of Asia, and this book does justice to his extraordinary accomplishments. Describing the motivations and concepts that have animated his conduct and explaining specific actions, he will undoubtedly raise many controversies. But whether one agrees or not, one will learn a great deal."
-- Dr. Henry A. Kissinger

"Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has gathered around himself the most brilliant minds, transforming the most exacting standards into a system of government. Under his leadership, the primacy of the general interest, the cult of education, work and saving, the capacity to foresee the needs of the city have enabled Singapore to take what I call ?shortcuts to progress."
-- Jacques Chirac

"This is a personal history of a man who, almost single-handedly, built a great nation from a small island? this is the first textbook in the world on how to build a nation."
-- Kiichi Miyazawa

"Lee Kuan Yew's vision, astutepolitical judgement and strategy turned Singapore from a trading post into the successful thriving nation that it is today, respected by others. For those interested in politics and economic development, his memoirs should be required reading."
-- Tun Daim Zainuddin

"Lee Kuan Yew is a statesman who created a successful nation. He has known everybody. He has achieved impossible things and his memoirs tell the truth."
-- William Rees-Mogg

"The title of this book, From Third World to First, expresses an aspiration of all developing countries but so far, alas, an achievement of very few. Singapore is one of those few. This account of its first years of independence written by its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, will therefore be of great interest to people of other developing countries and to all those who are interested in their fate. It is also told with great clarity, in a refreshingly direct style. I found it a gripping read."
-- Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations

"More than 40 years ago, Lee Kuan Yew transformed what was a poor, decrepit colony into a shining, rich and modern metropolis -- all the time surrounded by hostile powers. With his brilliant, incisive intellect, he is one of the world's most outspoken and respected statesmen. This book is a ?must read' for any student of modern Asia."
-- Rupert Murdoch, Chairman & Chief Executive, NewsCorporation

"A man of vision and calibre, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew can be credited for laying much of the foundation behind Singapore's present day success story. As one of Asia's most prominent leaders, he has also done much to help promote closer economic ties between the countries of Southeast Asia as a whole. His latest memoir, well articulated and highly interesting, provides a thought provoking insight and a new interpretation of the region's history and politics."
-- His Excellency Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of Thailand

"Lee's narrative is refreshingly free of the self-congratulatory tone of so many political memoirs...Useful reading for those with an informed interest in geopolitics."
-- "Kirkus Reviews

"Lee's role as a thinker, political philosopher, pragmatist and social observer emerges...strongly...this book (offers) ample, vivid and often startling accounts of Lee's numerous dealings with other world leaders. It is a veritable portrait gallery of statesmen, rogues, nationalists, and political ingenues."
-- "Far Eastern Economic Review

"Filled with precious insights into Lee Kuan Yew's thinking...after digesting this tour de force, whether they agree with him or not, readers will recognize in Lee a true Asian legend."
-- "Asiaweek

"Theheroic story of forging a thriving nation out of a piece of rock at the end of the hostile Malay peninsula...it's a story to warm a lot of the cockles of the heart of a ... democrat."
- "The Washington Times

"Blunt at times to the point of undiplomatic rudeness, Lee..remains.."part Confucius, part Calvin."..(his) scoldings made his country, his region, and thus the world a better place."
- "Boston Globe

"These are rich memoirs, the legacy of an extraordinary man, and in many ways, this book is like Lee himself: smart, thoughtful, blunt and provocative."
- "The New York Times Book Review

"Fascinating...even Mr Lee's critics must concede his courage and vision."
- "Wall Street Journal

"(A) fascinating account of the dramatic transformation of this island nation into a stable and prosperous society...an essential contribution (to understanding) why some socieities seem so successful in becoming important players in the global economy."
- "Booklist

"Fascinating...Lee is perhaps the greatest Asian strategic thinker of the modern world...(his)powerful memoir reveals a great deal."
- "Business Week

"Blessed with a powerful mind, driving energyand a strong personality (Lee Kuan Yew) made the Singapore story one of success, and established himself as one of the world's great pundits...a political memoir that is written with a trenchant, lucid style and a flair for the exciting tale."
- "The Economist

About the Author

Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore on September 16, 1923, a third-generation descendant of immigrants from China's Guangdong Province. He read law at Cambridge University, England. In 1954 he formed the People's Action Party, which won the first Singapore general election five years later. Lee became the country's first prime minister in 1959, at the age of thirty-five. In November 1990 he resigned the office to assume the post of senior minister in the Singapore cabinet.

Hardcover: 752 pages
Publisher: Harper; 1st edition (October 3, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780060197766
ISBN-13: 978-0060197766
ASIN: 0060197765
Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 2.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 105 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Exports & Imports Economics
- #56 in Historical Asian Biographies (Books)
- #26 in Southeast Asia History

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105 customer reviews

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Clay GarnerTop Contributor: Philosophy

“There is such a thing as evil, and men are not just evil because they are victims of society.”

March 28, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

“There are books to teach you how to build a house, how to repair engines, how to write a book. But I have not seen a book on how to build a nation out of disparate collection of immigrants from China, British India, and the Dutch East Indies.’’ (3)

This unique story, building a nation from scratch, makes Lee’s experience so interesting. Who else?

How to crate an economy? Where to find jobs? Well . . . many believed that multinational corporations. . .

“. . . were exploiters of cheap land, labor and raw materials. This ‘dependency school’ of economists argued that they continued the colonial pattern of exploitation that left the developing countries selling raw materials and buying consumer goods from the advanced countries. The corporations controlled technology and consumer preferences and formed alliances with their host governments to exploit the people and keep them down.’’ (58)

Lee agree?

“Third world leaders believed this theory of neocolonialist exploitation, but Keng Swee and I were not impressed.’’ (58)

His skepticism proved correct. Singapore now wealthy. Mainly from the boost from multinational corporations. Wow!

Chapter 7 - A Fair, Not Welfare, Society

“We believed in socialism, in fair shares for all. Later we learned that personal motivation and personal rewards were essential for a productive economy. However, because people are unequal in their ability, if performance and rewards are determined by the marketplace, there will be a few big winners, many medium winners, and a considerable number of losers.’’ (95)

What problem?

“That would make for social tensions because a society’s sense of fairness is offended.’’ (95) What to do?

“My primary preoccupation was to give every citizen a stake in the country and its future. I wanted a home owning society. I had seen the contrast between the blocks of low-cost rental apartments, badly misused and poorly maintained, and those of house proud owners.’’ (95)

Another key was adamant, unyielding integrity in government . . .

“It is easy to start off with high moral standards, strong convictions, and determination to beat down corruption. But it is difficult to live up to these good intentions unless the leaders are strong enough to deal with all transgressors, and without exceptions.’’ (163)

‘Without exceptions’! Really . . .

Lee continued to seek new ideas and expert opinion. However . . .

“I found many other fresh ideas and picked the brains of other highly intelligent people who were not always right. They were to politically correct. Harvard was determinedly Liberal. No scholar was prepared to say or admit there was any inherent differences between races or cultures or religion.’’ (460)

Well . . .

“They held that human beings were equal and a society only needed correct economic policies and institutions of government to succeed. They were so bright I found it difficult to believe that they sincerely held these views they felt compelled to espouse.’’ (461)

Yep, he is not ‘politically correct’! Another example . . .

“Man needs a moral sense of right and wrong. There is such a thing as evil, and men are not just evil because they are victims of society.”

This large work (681 pages) covers wide variety of themes. International politics, economic decisions, financial developments, race riots, communist adversaries, etc., etc..

Considerable space on his visits and views on other countries; including Russia, China, America, Taiwan, etc.. Also, forthright analysis of world leaders, Gorbachev, Gerald Ford, Henry Kissinger, etc..

Fascinating!

Easy to read. Reader will need interest on political, economic, social issues.

Adds insight to the modern world.

7 people found this helpful

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John R

The Story of a Man and the Nation He Created

December 5, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I lived in Singapore for four years towards of the end of Lee Kuan Yew's tenure as Prime Minister and traveled there many times before and since. What Mr. Lee created in Singapore is a masterpiece of political, economic and social engineering. It represents an important alternative from the inefficiencies and deficiencies of both a free wheeling democracy and autocratic rule. It is the most intelligently run government I have ever run across.

No politician speaks more directly and with greater clarity than Lee Kuan Yew. "Third World to First World" is a great chronicle of his thought process, experiences and view of the world. It remains highly relevant today. A really great book.

9 people found this helpful

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Brim

like any person with their own opinions

September 17, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Outstanding man, outstanding writing, outstanding story. Though, like any person with their own opinions, I didn't agree with every one of Mr. Yew's views on life and the world we could all learn some valuable lessons in reality by reading this book and truly contemplating all he accomplished. Amazing (and I hate that word). I've been gobbling up books for the last nine months like I own stock in Amazon and this has been my favorite thus far. Highly recommended.

8 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Understanding APAC history - and nation building

March 12, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

In our new world of rising hysteria l and intellectually void leadership in crucial countries, it is important to return to and read about the great statesmen who have made our world and times a better place. And to learn from their thoughts and thinking. LKY's book is a fantastic series of snapshots and vignettes about the birth and formative years of a remarkable city state and his decision making process. An amazing time for an amazing man.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A RECIPE TO QUICKLY RISE AS A THIRD WORLD NATION TO THE THE RANKS OF THE DEVELOPED NATIONS

February 10, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Lee Kwan Yu, an Eastern Benevolent Autocrat that successfully made his country shine for economic and social development at the expense of democratic practices (as understood in the west). In retrospective, one has to wonder whether the rise of China in the late XX and early XXI Centuries was caused by their Communist Leaders carefully looking at the results and processes espoused in Singapore by Lee Kwan Yu. A long book, but great read even if it feels that the author is sometimes justifying to western audiences his autocratic practices for the benefit of economic and social development and success of his country.

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Mary Lee

LKY: Singapore from 3rd World to 1st.

June 5, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

It's a very engaging book. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew had a lot of wise sayings and he was so predictable. He had very good foresight and events indeed happened according to his words. He meant what he said and was able to transform a tiny island into one of the world's busiest nation within a short spam of time. Very few political leaders would be able to achieve that. LKY had made Singaporeans a product of Singapore. Once I pick up the book to read, it's hard to put it down.

One person found this helpful

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Book Worm

was just brilliant!

February 21, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Mr. Yew had a vision and put it into place. With only three square miles Mr. Yew led his nation into the modern era by using education and giving it's citizens a sense of of themselves in knowing that freedom can be achieved through staying single minded in purpose. How Mr. Yew handled the myriad is problems, especially the hateful communists, was just brilliant!

4 people found this helpful

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Terry Taylor

Great Read!

May 31, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

After reading this book makes me wonder about why we can't get more done in the United States.

One person found this helpful

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Pages with related products. See and discover other items: history of southeast asia, history singapore, economic development, economy history, harper lee books

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From Third World to First: The Singapore Story - 1965-2000 Hardcover – October 3, 2000

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From Third World to First: The Singapore Story - 1965-2000 Hardcover – October 3, 2000

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