Take a photo of a barcode or cover
worldlibraries 's review for:
Lion City: Singapore and the Invention of Modern Asia
by Jeevan Vasagar
This history of Singapore was just right: the right length, the right topics, and made me realize that the workaholism and hypervigilance of Singapore society may be a constant in a small city state. Prosperity will not lessen the need for both. There is always some new threat to worry about, albeit, ones that Singaporeans might not be able to control: rising China, melting ice caps, no natural resources yet high consumption, and more.
What Jeevan Vasagar really captured was the steely determination required to take a place from third to first world in one generation. I appreciate the author showing where this determination resulted in overstep too.
The only topic I would have liked to read more about is Peranakan culture.
I finished the book wishing more whimsy for the people of Singapore. The artist in the book who put stickers on the traffic lights that said, 'Push here for time travel,' was an absolute delight. Now, I need to get back to Singapore and hike that trail from one end of the country to the other. Thanks for telling your readers about it, Mr. Vasagar!
What Jeevan Vasagar really captured was the steely determination required to take a place from third to first world in one generation. I appreciate the author showing where this determination resulted in overstep too.
The only topic I would have liked to read more about is Peranakan culture.
I finished the book wishing more whimsy for the people of Singapore. The artist in the book who put stickers on the traffic lights that said, 'Push here for time travel,' was an absolute delight. Now, I need to get back to Singapore and hike that trail from one end of the country to the other. Thanks for telling your readers about it, Mr. Vasagar!