Singapore, Singapura
From Miracle to Complacency
Format:Paperback
Publisher:C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Published:1st Jul '21
Currently unavailable, our supplier has indicated it should be available around 31st December 2024
This insightful book captures the transformation of Singapore into a global leader, while also addressing the challenges it faces today.
This book presents a detailed exploration of a city-state that has transformed dramatically over the last fifty years. Once a small, impoverished region struggling for survival after its separation from the Malay Federation, Singapore has evolved into a global powerhouse. Its remarkable journey is marked by significant achievements in wealth, education, and stability, making it a model for many nations around the world. However, the narrative also raises important questions about whether such successes have fostered a sense of complacency among its citizens and leaders.
Nicholas Walton takes readers on a journey through Singapore's history, starting from its colonial past under British rule, through the tumultuous war years, and into the era of independence. The book delves into the complexities of Singapore's development, examining the delicate balance between maintaining an authoritarian political structure while navigating the challenges of modernity, including migration and regional dynamics. Walton's insights offer a nuanced perspective on the socio-political fabric of this unique nation.
As readers traverse the streets of Singapore with Walton, they gain a deeper understanding of the issues that define the city today. The narrative is not just about economic success; it also addresses the ongoing struggles and aspirations of its people, painting a rich portrait of a society that is continuously evolving amidst a backdrop of global change.
'By traversing this island city state on foot, Walton explores questions worth asking . . . he is clear-eyed and unflinching in his portrayal of Singapore and its people.'
'Walton writes fluently and engagingly . . . his book is an excellent one-volume primer on the country.' * Literary Review *
‘In this lively account of the republic. . . [Walton] writes engagingly . . . with a light touch and with a sense of humour, making judicious use of anecdotes which reveal the subterranean cracks in Singapore’s society.’
'A rare jewel of a book--enchanting, illuminating and at times bloody funny. Much more than a travelogue or history, this is the story of a grand adventure, told in the tradition of Conrad with the eye of Theroux and the wit of Bryson. Brilliant.' -- James Brabazon, journalist, documentary filmmaker and author of 'The Break Line'
'What better way to discover Singapore than to walk across it? In this splendid book, Walton serves up riches of the island's history, geography, economics, and, most of all, serendipity.' -- Tyler Cowen, author of 'The Complacent Class' and 'Average Is Over'
'When Nicholas Walton moved with his family to Singapore, he began a voyage of discovery into the history of the city-state. Join him on his journey across the length and breadth of the island, from the fourteenth century to the present day.' -- Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations
'Duly pays tribute to the way Singapore and its 5.6m inhabitants have come to top the charts that define success in the modern world. ... [Walton's] conclusions are more nuanced than either Singapore’s detractors or its cheerleaders would like.' -- The Financial Times
ISBN: 9781787384910
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
320 pages