From Third World to First The Singapore Story pdfdrive com

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Author’s Note to the eBook Edition
I wrote my Memoirs for a younger generation of Singaporeans to know the story
of the Singapore I grew up in. (
The Singapore Story
was published in 1999 and
From Third World to First
in 2000.) It was to give them an understanding of the
difficulties Singapore faced then in its struggle to survive in the midst of larger,
newly independent nations pursuing nationalistic policies.
It is a different world and a different Singapore today, a world vastly changed by
globalization and technology but the threats remain and the challenge to national
survival is grave.
It is my hope that the experiences of my generation find relevance with a
generation that grew up with digital literacy and technology. I look forward to
this digital version reaching out to that generation of online readers.
Lee Kuan Yew
August 2014

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About the author and his memoirs
“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.”
— Kofi A. Annan
, 
UN Secretary-General
“More than forty 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.”