Singapore

The meritocratic ideology of Singapore has begun to show signs of wear, and its elite seems incapable of regenerating itself as that of the PRC does. Lee [Kuan Yew]’s pioneer generation – the ‘Men in White’ – has given way to an ever more circumscribed stratum, a process which Michael Barr, the leading historian of modern Singapore, examines in rich detail. * London Review of Books *
In this well-researched and clearly argued book, the highly respected Australian scholar Barr (Flinders Univ., Australia) challenges the entire “Singapore Story” through a thematically organized revisionist history of Singapore from its earliest times into the 21st century … Barr builds his argument on extensive archival research and mastery of secondary scholarly and popular publications, including government-issued textbooks that promulgate the official “Singapore Story.” Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * CHOICE *
Dr. Barr is a very talented writer. His intellect and more nuanced perspectives come through in this book, in which the content dives deep into Singapore’s history from a political, geographic, and economic view … If you want a very real and well-researched academic historical book, don’t miss out on this one! * Singapore Politics: Blog *
‘Michael Barr does the study of Singapore a great service with this path-breaking book. He debunks the ascendant account of Singapore’s modern history to explain so much more about how and why this city-state developed as it did. Barr breaks decisively from the prevailing orthodoxy serving elite political interests to highlight struggles, forces and dynamics fundamental in shaping modern Singapore.’ * Garry Rodan, Professor of Politics and International Studies, Murdoch University *
‘Michael Barr’s “Modern History” of Singapore offers a refreshingly candid counter-narrative to “The Singapore Story”. Broad, bold and brazen, Barr’s self-consciously revisionist history of Singapore breaks away from the dominant meta-narrative of the Singapore state and its elites. It offers readers a succinct, thematic (and dramatic) history of Singapore that emphasises the continuities that transcend the “Founding moment” of 1819 and situate Singapore’s growth and development within a larger regional and global framework. This is not a history for data-miners or squirrels of historical minutiae but for those who seek to better understand the land, idea and country that is Singapore.’ * Kevin YL Tan, Executive Editor, Asian Journal of Comparative Law and Professor (Adjunct), Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore *
Barr offers insights into Singapore history that no other historian can give scholars and students. Singapore: A Modern History deserves a prominent place alongside the works of other historians who have also embarked on this most challenging task of writing a general history of Singapore. * Australian Journal of Politics and History *