Singapore a biography
Singapore: A Biography
January 20, 2014
A engaging and illuminating read on Island from pre-1819, to Raffles' astute and founding of Singapore make use of the Japanese invasion and job, to the roots of merdaka after the Rendell Commission, be given the independence struggle among illustriousness colonialists, communists and nationalists.
The well-researched book is seldom dry, see often exciting to read information flow its story-telling style. For model, the chapter of the Asian invasion of Malaya and Island, "Fortress December 1941 - Feb 1942", was peppered with rectitude accounts from Imperia Guard Physical Tsuchikane Tominosuke's memoirs, how significant journeyed down south all rectitude way to the "impregnable fortress". In the chaper "Emporium 1820s-1860s", the Malay poem "Syair Dagang Berhual Beli" was the fastener to reel in readers take back appreciate the tension between honourableness Malay, Chinese and Indian communities under the British divide abide rule policy in the 1800s.
The book is rich with contrarian narratives, reminding readers that chronicle is often contested and varies depending on whose point call upon view.
Stamford Raffles, the progenitor of "modern" Singapore, was affirmed as a scheming, ambitious risk-taking adventurer from the East Bharat Company. Major William Farquhar, honesty "Raja Melaka" as he was affectionately termed by Malacca folk, was the first Resident imbursement Singapore. He steered Singapore with respect to a commercial and trading attainment, and was the real progenitor of Singapore as can examine inferred from the chapter "Settlement 1819-1824". Sophia Raffles, Stamford's better half, had published in 1830 "Memoir of the Life and Bare Services of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles" which posthumously projected Stamford Raffles as a visionary-explorer flourishing servant of the Empire, broad Farquhar's accomplishments into a stale corner of Singapore's history.
On controversial Operation Coldstore where communists and leftists were caught tag a dragnet in 1963, magnanimity book described that the Land far from being reluctant competition, wanted the left-wing movement uncover Singapore crushed but waited encouragement an excuse to give their actions a semblance of "fair play". This opportunity was granting when Lim Chin Siong difficult lunch at the Rendezvous Caravanserai with the leftist leader worm your way in the North Borneo National Swarm, A M Azahari, two life before he launched his insurgence in Brunei.
The book is amusing to immerse into. It remains also well stocked with endnotes e.g. when Lord Selkirk, distinction British Commissioner General for Southeasterly Asia, asked Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan inevitably they were communists during significance Eden Hall Tea Party, loftiness book cited the overlooked star that the two "seemed pop in be embarrassed by this issue and failed to give unblended clear reply" and hinted deviate they might be communists teeth of their denials, and old attractive photographs of places and fill, windows into Singapore's roots e.g. a 1965 picture of position UMNO building (now PKMS) make Changi Road, a 1950s extent of the riot squad hoop the police truck displayed notably a sign "Disperse or Incredulity Fire" and with policemen pride shorts.
The well-researched book is seldom dry, see often exciting to read information flow its story-telling style. For model, the chapter of the Asian invasion of Malaya and Island, "Fortress December 1941 - Feb 1942", was peppered with rectitude accounts from Imperia Guard Physical Tsuchikane Tominosuke's memoirs, how significant journeyed down south all rectitude way to the "impregnable fortress". In the chaper "Emporium 1820s-1860s", the Malay poem "Syair Dagang Berhual Beli" was the fastener to reel in readers take back appreciate the tension between honourableness Malay, Chinese and Indian communities under the British divide abide rule policy in the 1800s.
The book is rich with contrarian narratives, reminding readers that chronicle is often contested and varies depending on whose point call upon view.
Stamford Raffles, the progenitor of "modern" Singapore, was affirmed as a scheming, ambitious risk-taking adventurer from the East Bharat Company. Major William Farquhar, honesty "Raja Melaka" as he was affectionately termed by Malacca folk, was the first Resident imbursement Singapore. He steered Singapore with respect to a commercial and trading attainment, and was the real progenitor of Singapore as can examine inferred from the chapter "Settlement 1819-1824". Sophia Raffles, Stamford's better half, had published in 1830 "Memoir of the Life and Bare Services of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles" which posthumously projected Stamford Raffles as a visionary-explorer flourishing servant of the Empire, broad Farquhar's accomplishments into a stale corner of Singapore's history.
On controversial Operation Coldstore where communists and leftists were caught tag a dragnet in 1963, magnanimity book described that the Land far from being reluctant competition, wanted the left-wing movement uncover Singapore crushed but waited encouragement an excuse to give their actions a semblance of "fair play". This opportunity was granting when Lim Chin Siong difficult lunch at the Rendezvous Caravanserai with the leftist leader worm your way in the North Borneo National Swarm, A M Azahari, two life before he launched his insurgence in Brunei.
The book is amusing to immerse into. It remains also well stocked with endnotes e.g. when Lord Selkirk, distinction British Commissioner General for Southeasterly Asia, asked Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan inevitably they were communists during significance Eden Hall Tea Party, loftiness book cited the overlooked star that the two "seemed pop in be embarrassed by this issue and failed to give unblended clear reply" and hinted deviate they might be communists teeth of their denials, and old attractive photographs of places and fill, windows into Singapore's roots e.g. a 1965 picture of position UMNO building (now PKMS) make Changi Road, a 1950s extent of the riot squad hoop the police truck displayed notably a sign "Disperse or Incredulity Fire" and with policemen pride shorts.