Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story Volume 1

by Shing Huei Peh

Goh Chok Tong was an improbable Prime Minister for an unlikely country. He had neither the connections nor the cunning to rise to the top, and was even once famously derided by his mentor Lee Kuan Yew for being 'wooden' in his communication skills. Except for an imposing height most unusual in this part of the world, he was an ordinary man. He lost his father at a young age, lived in a two-bedroom public flat with his mother and four siblings and needed a government bursary to complete university.Yet somehow he succeeded. Tall Order tells the extraordinary story of his life and career over half a century, revealing how Singapore's second Prime Minister rose through a combination of strength, wit and a political nous which many, including himself, did not know he had. In this first of two volumes, Goh navigated years of a challenging apprenticeship to Lee, scoring numerous policy successes but also suffering political blows and humiliation.He was the man who first made Neptune Orient Lines, Singapore's national carrier, profitable, before entering politics. The stellar corporate stint was followed by his many novel policies and institutions that have since become household names in the Medisave, Total Defence, Residents' Committee and Nominated Member of Parliament. But the highlights were counterposed by setbacks, including overseeing the People's Action Party's first electoral defeat after independence at the Anson by-election.In the hands of acclaimed author and journalist Peh Shing Huei, this authorised biography reveals the private deliberations and negotiations between Goh and Lee before the maiden leadership transfer of independent Singapore. Tall Order is the first biography of Goh. This riveting book offers rare insights into Singapore's biggest and most important political and economic stories. .Related Link(s)

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Memoir

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2018

Reviews

[Natalie Tan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must give this a review. This book was terrible. It read less like an insightful overview of a man's political career and, owing to copious mentions of Goh's height, more like a Zac Efron feature in the 2007 Christmas edition of Tiger Beat. We get it, he's tall, it's really not that interesting. The book contained neither informative analysis nor an engaging, sentimental narrative. Did I learn about statecraft? No. Did I understand his upbringing and personal values? No.

Setting aside my own political leanings and purely in the interest of discussing the quality of writing, this book leaves much to be desired. This could have been a rousing tale of Singapore's journey from fledgling state to economic powerhouse in the '90s and 2000s, an intimate exploration of Goh's convictions, à la Michelle Obama's Becoming. This book suffers the affliction of being exactly what it is, a perfunctory record of a dull conversation between two men who are speaking for work purposes.

[Jermayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A good entry to Singapore’s politics. The writing was easy to read and I finished the book really quickly. What I learnt most is ESM GCT’s self-confidence, pragmatism, and sense of purpose. Because of these traits, he doesn’t take criticisms personally. He looks to get the job done, while still being himself.

[Maisara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I was more drawn to the cover of the book than I was to GCT as a political figure. He looks so physically imposing on it and the title that accompanies suits well. This biography is such an easy read for me, although I have not much inkling to the dynamics of Singapore’s political landscape. I enjoy the comparisons illustrated in leadership style, personality and idiosyncrasies between him and LKY. I can say that this book is educational in every sense of the word.

[nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains some good insights into the inner workings of Singapore’s ruling party. Some parts were interesting, especially the chapter on Anson, and Lee Kuan Yew’s public criticism of Goh Chok Tong. But whether Goh Chok Tong is interesting enough as a politician, as a person, to have two volumes of books written about him, I’m not sure. As hard as the book tries to prove that Goh could hold his own as PM, it is just impossible for the reader (and probably any Singaporean) to see him outside of the shadow of the Goliath that is LKY.

[Melissa Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear and well organised narrative into the political journey of Ex PM Goh Chok Tong. Found it an insightful read given that I was too young to remember how Singapore was governed when he was PM. Highly recommended given how Singapore is set to transit into her forth PM too.

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am terribly late to the hype (as usual), but I finally read Tall Order, the biography of Goh Chok Tong. Goh Chok Tong is the second prime minister of Singapore and Tall Order is supposed to be the first volume in a two volume series.

Since this is Volume One, Tall Order doesn’t try to cover all the events in Goh Chok Tong’s life till the present. Instead, the book focuses on Goh Chok Tong’s childhood and early life in the public service (Part 1: The Young Goh), his entry into Politics (Part 2: The Holy Order), his journey towards being the second prime minister (Part 3: Building a Brand), ending with him assuming the role of prime minister (Part 4: Towards the Istana).

Tall Order draws heavily on interviews with Goh Chok Tong and those who knew him. In fact, the last section of the book contains Goh’s recollections of the years covered in the previous few chapters! I thought it was eye-opening to hear from the man himself.

Even though Goh Chok Tong is the second prime minister of Singapore, I’ve always had the image that he was there to keep the country going until Lee Hsien Loong, our third and current prime minister, could take the reins. After reading this book, I realised how wrong I was – Goh Chok Tong was not only the one who scouted Lee Hsien Loong, he was also the one that his peers picked to be the next prime minister! He may have had the image of a seat-warmer in the public’s eyes, but among his peers, things were definitely different.

And as someone who grew up in an already-prosperous Singapore, this book helped me realise just how much we’ve come in so short a time. It’s probably a tired narrative by now, but reading about Goh’s early years in the public service and what things were like when he entered politics made me realise just how far we’ve come! And it was pretty interesting reading his opinions on the opposition parties too.

I really liked that the author has interviewed Goh and many people around him, which lets you have a look behind the curtain of PAP politics. There aren’t any intimate stories about Goh’s family because that’s out of bounds, but for an easy to read book on the workings of Singapore in the early days (and a biography of Goh Chok Tong), this is something that I would recommend.

This review was first posted at Eustea Reads

[Fann Chua · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read that spoke at length about Goh Chok Tong’s unexpected political journey, and how he did not seek to be another LKY, but instead being his own man and being in his own shoes.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting insight. Liked the style of writing too. Loved to see the actual character of him which paints him in a different light.

Quotes I took down:
"Why did we have to play God in deciding who could get it and who could not? Why are we not saving a life just because of a lack of dialysis machines? We should save every life," he said. "My father died young and I looked at these young people and I asked why couldn't we save them?"

Mr Lee used to say, how is it that when it comes to muscles and other physical attributes, you all believed in nature? But when it comes to the brain, nobody believed in him!

We were not Lee Kuan Yew who could be so forceful. So, we had to shift.

I surfaced the idea to Lee Kuan Yew that Hsien Loong would be a good candidate. Mr Lee said, no. He had just lost his wife, he had two young children and one of them is autistic, and was looking around to re-establish a family. No, he would not be interested.

Lee Kuan Yew was a persuader. He was using others' opinions on his son. What you say about the dynasty is another matter.

We always watch. What is the purpose, their aspirations, their goals and would they bring Singapore down? Or would they be just difficult opponents for us? Then we got to be better than them. So, if they are honest and honourable and want to do good for Singapore even though it is in a different way well, we can have a debate on that.

Q: I am sure you have heard of the saying: Father, Son and the Holy Goh. What do you think of it?
A: I am not a Christian, so I have only a rough idea of what it means. To me, the three work as one -- Father, Son and Holy Goh -- and the three work together positively.

As an aside, Lee Kuan Yew was more liberal than we think. Or more practical. When the tourism sector was down, he floated the idea of allowing a nudist colony in Sentosa or an offshore island to bring them in! The younger Ministers vetoed him. Society is not frozen in time. Each successive generation of leaders must express their own and Singaporeans' ideals for Singapore.

[Reza Amiri Praramadhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goh Chok Tong was the second Prime Minister of Singapore, who served after Singapore’s Father of Independence, Lee Kuan Yew, and afterward succeeded by Lee’s son, Lee Hsien-Loong. In this unfortunate position, Goh is often perceived as a fill-in candidate, Lee’s stooge, or most often, the benchwarmer, who was expected to fill in the position until Hsien-Loong ready to serve as PM.

However, it is apparent throughout this book, Goh seeks to dispel those perceptions. Beginning his career as a bureaucrat, he was unexpected dropped into political scene after People’s Action Party’s scheme to recruit successful people from business sector. Goh himself was credited with the economic turnaround of National Orient Lines, turning it into profitable enterprise. From his first election, his career improved steadily, without any flashiness or anything right to Prime Ministership.

Shy, unassuming, and rather self-deprecating in humor sense, while gentle and prefer to listen to other people, Goh succeeded in trying to not to be Lee Kuan-Yew, preferring his own style in governing, that is, encouraging more public participation, rather than top-down decision-making like Lee Kuan-Yew preferred. Turning nanny state into a buddy for its citizens, that was his goal, and in retrospect he is successful in that.

However, his career was not without blemishes. He was in charge when PAP’s experienced first electoral defeat in its history. I can also feel his being humiliated by LKY when Lee said in public that Goh was not his first choice as successor, that he was ‘wooden’ and not really good communicator. But I applaud Goh for light-heartedly accepted those doubts, and proved his critics and detractors wrong.

Overall, reading this book was a refreshing experience, lighter reading than Lee Kuan Yew’s own biography, which sometimes feel like dictates. I cannot wait for the sequel!

[Alan Wang · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tall Order is really half biography and half discussion of decision-making inside the early People's Action Party. It covers Goh Chok Tong's life up to his transition to Prime Minister in 1990. I felt the book was a little dry when it came to Goh's lived experiences, but it was fascinating to read about how the first generation of leaders planned and structured the transition process, nearly 6 years before it happened. The second generation leaders picked their own Deputy Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew gradually rotated out his colleagues for the second generation ahead of time, and the first generation leaders subjected the second generation leaders to a variety of political and governing tests before fully bringing them into the PAP.

Given Goh's economics training, I strongly identified with his goals of fixing misaligned incentives and inefficiencies in healthcare. The political component comes in framing the problem and proposed solution to the public using narratives (buffet lunch syndrome for medisave).

There was an emphasis on the government bond system, which identifies young talent in Singapore during secondary school and provides substantial scholarships in exchange for early career civil service. This seems difficult given the substantial turnover in civil service in the United States, or as is described in the book as a "musical chair government", but I can imagine this being very useful in institutions such as the Federal Reserve or the Government Accountability Office to recruit more effectively.

Accordingly, this book reflects Goh's personality: with a focus on teams and institutions rather than the standard heroic portrayal of political figures.

[Neil H · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are layers....There's that in the construction of the book. From his childhood days, studies at RI, to his NOL management stint to becoming finance, industry and trade minister. We are told all and some of his many accomplishments he brought to the fore as PM. But at the outset, we have been told not to expect much if any of his family. Thats a no no out of bounds marker for GCT. So, a huge slice of his life spectrum is missing from from this biographical account.

Now the story begins of how we view the earliest history of our second prime minister; 2nd generation leaders who were primed for eventual succession to the portfolios and ministries after those who lead after Singapore's independence in 1965. Goh Chok Tong stands out in my memory of being the unlikely ascendent after the fiery and feared Lee Kuan Yew (I dont think you could ever speak of Singapore without the ever phantasm of LKY, good luck trying). I hate to use the word but it encapsulates my earliest memory of him. Tall, bookish, confident delivery, but lacking in charisma and dare I say wooden onscreen persona(LKY and his usage, I just find it so apt).

Its a quick read, 2 days no frills, no heels and certainly much as Heui Peh looks to jazz up his accounts with context, first person voice, after chapter recollections. Unfortunately, Goh's life is exactly what he espouses throughout the book and the impression I get after this read. You are assigned a job, just do it and less like his surveys of policy implementation. This is bland.

[Simon Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sceptical at the start. This at first glance appears to be a book written by committee. Having met Peh I wanted to continue and in the end I found it an enjoyable read. Even the Q&A sections at the end of each chapter became more engaging as I learnt more about Goh Chok Tong, who is likeable and earnest.

This is not a critical tome but what it lacks in cynicism it makes up for with an earthy, easily flowing honesty that endears Goh as the dutiful patriot who is also very much his own man. The interactions between Goh and Lee Kuan Yew are fascinating and dramatic.

It is a very Singaporean book by the looks. The Q&A sections for instance appear to be showing readers the transparency of its construction. And the group interview style.

It comes at a critical time as the succession to a fourth generation of PAP leaders is underway. I can't help thinking that Goh wishes to help this process by allowing the book's publication.

The funniest revelation is in the afterword by Goh. He says Lee Kuan Yew thought a nudist colony on Sentosa island might be a good idea to boost tourist numbers.

What I hope to read about in the next volume is suggested again in the afterword where Goh wonders about democracy.

He says: "the reality is that Singapore is edging towards a vested-interest, liberal democracy ... will Singapore experiment with a musical chair government?

"Democracy is faltering in many countries. How will ours continue to work?"

Good question indeed. Looking forward to volume two.

[Sean Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omits any mention of Goh's family upon his request for their privacy, but that doesn't detract from painting the pre-PM history of Singapore's second PM. In his own words, this book isn't so much about him so much as it is about how Singapore made the transition of power such a non-event.
You can glimpse the mindset and assumptions underpinning the incumbent government's policies (e.g. ISA, CPF), and that is for the reader to agree/disagree with.
___
When your captain is back in home port, make sure he is taken care of. It was nothing brilliant, just that you have interest in people. You've got to run the company and you must show interest in people. Human relations must come first.

I never let things which I cannot control cause me to be unhappy.

LKY asked: What is your ambition? My straightforward answer is: "I will serve. I do not have any special ambition in mind."

To govern and lead, you must have passion or fire in the bellies. This is not just doing a job. It was a criticism, but it was correct.

If you have a very difficult opposition, who engages in personal attacks, the PM must have the ability to fight back. If the PM is a gentleman, then get somebody who can. That means you get a hatchet man, your DPM or Minister for Law, someone who can fight for you.

LKY believed in getting the right man for the job and leaving him alone. That was the way he led.
For the small picture, he could know more if he wanted to. He would ask for the figures and would brush up and know more than you very quickly.

[Preston Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I read for the year 2021. I've not been an avid reader since young but the success story of Goh Chok Tong got me into reading. For weeks I was genuinely confused about his rise to power. He was not a power-hungry individual, nor did he have a political zeal like his predecessor Lee Kuan Yew. Thus, I finally decided to pick up this book in the library to quell my curiosity once and for all.

Although the descriptions and recollections of his past life were interesting enough to have kept me reading to the end of the book, I was nonetheless a little disappointed in his entry into politics. He was basically talent scouted by a team created by Lee to recruit capable, intellectual autocrats and Goh was one of those fathered into the political scene in Singapore. Of course, that does not take away from him his ability to adapt to difficult situations and challenges set to him, such as his first election rally in Marine Parade, whereby no resources were given to him by the PAP and he had to invoke the goodwill of the residents to help him out. Through his humbleness and friendly disposition, he managed to make many friends in parliament who supported him and generally avoided any ill will towards him. This, I suppose, was his greatest trait that propelled him to the top spot of becoming the Prime Minister of Singapore. He is socially adept and sensitive to the feelings of others. Just like what Peh Shing Huei has written about him, he possessed a political nous that even Goh himself did not realize.

[Hwee Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goh Chok Tong knew early, and very clearly, that he was no Lee Kuan Yew. As to how such an unassuming (quite the opposite type) man filled Lee’s shoes — this book tells us successfully through a sharp, easygoing prose and huge chunks of verbatim interviews with Goh himself.

But you’d be very much mistaken if you bought into the idea that Goh was ever a “seat warmer” or as he himself called it, a “Goh-between”. For those curious, this book reveals conversations between Goh and Lee unlike any other. While Lee disapproved and told Goh that he “cannot be listening to murmurs all the time”, Goh proved to have a genuine and honest intent to loosen the noose on the LKY era and build a more consultative, “second-chance society”. And for the first time in 30 years, Goh gives his most extensive comments on the dark day in August 1988 when Lee told the whole nation at the National Day Rally that Goh was not his first choice as successor. Initially taken aback and angered, in true Goh Chok Tong style, he embraced it in good humour.

As author Peh Shing Huei astutely notes, “that episode freed him from the demands and desire, from within and without, to be like Lee.” This book will become a necessary resource for anyone delving into Singapore’s political history and leadership transition, this I am sure. As much as Goh initially did not want a book written about him, this needed to be done.

[Sivasothi N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broad strokes of independent Singapore's first leadership transition

This was a reminiscent and easy read, for someone who lived through this. So it was read in a few hours. Like the protagonist Goh Chok Tong, it does feel a little understated.

It has been well researched and condensed into short chapters, somewhat too short for my liking, but certainly suitable even for a reader unfamiliar with this time. Well, there will be a Volume 2.

There are interesting insights, such as the significance of the Anson by-election, and the reiteration of decisions surrounding the 1987 Marxist Conspiracy. And the personal reaction to LKY's public (postured?) vote of no confidence revealed that the most unflappable individual is still human. Still, people rallied to him as a result.

It is an important book for anyone to appreciate the unique governing approach of the 2G leadership. They made significant changes to the relationship between government and people to adapt to changing norms. There are few accounts otherwise of this time, and this is a welcome addition to understanding Singapore.

[Joel Wong · Rating 2 out of 5]

An exercise in self-indulgence. You wonder if the man actually believes his own spiel. There are a number of contradictions between his reflections and his actual performance e.g. his purported heart for the poor and unemployed. A vivid juxtaposition against his oft proclaimed “if there is no unemployment then I worry”; his comments on mediocrity for anyone earning less than 1 million dollars a year (“you are going to end up with very mediocre people, people who can’t even earn a million dollars outside to be our Minister”).

He also shares fondly of how he implemented a policy during his time as the Minister of Health; wait for it, he got each hospital to have their own unique uniform for the nurses. Indeed, such an accomplishment that we need a Minister to handle such a matter. I would have hoped for something more becoming of a Minister but alas, this is what we have. Reading this, I’m surprised we survived as long as we did.

I’m sorry Mr Goh but this books comes across as an exercise in fantasy.

[Matthew Teo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a brief overview of GCT’s rise to leadership and elite selection in Singapore politics. However, the book could have covered on how GCT had worked with his peers such as Ong Teng Cheong and the magnificent seven. However, the book has devoted much attention to LKY and him, depicting the book as a prequel to the series of LKY’s books. Doubtlessly, LKY had played a central role in Singapore politics for decades.

However, key members of the 2G leadership, Ong Teng Cheong, Dhanabalan, and Tony Tan also played major roles in the transitional period before GCT took over the position as prime minister. For example, the debate over the construction of MRT and the Hydril strike took place during GCT’s time. Where GCT stood in the hydril strike and the debate between constructing mrt and an improved bus system were not discussed in the book.

To understand the political philosophy of our leaders, reading between the lines, inferences and some analysis are required for this book.

[Jiamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me appreciate Singapore's peace, stability, security and prosperity a lot more, as well as the people who basically made Singapore's future their life's purpose. I felt the sheer difficulty and immense talent (not to mention impeccable character) required for taking on the role of governing Singapore (including ensuring continuity) and I shudder to think of what Singapore would have become if she fell into the wrong hands.
It was also very interesting to read about the working relationship between LKY AND GCT, and how they made it work despite the stark contrast in their personalities. There was a lot on honour, integrity, respect, and trust - trusting that the other wants you to become a better version of yourself regardless of the way he brings his point across. It is sometimes difficult to appreciate the way LKY expresses his good intentions, but I'm filled with admiration for how GCT took those instances in his stride.

[Cheryl Cheong · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful, never before seen, look into the motivations and working style of ESM Goh Chok Tong, second Prime Minister of Singapore and the force behind the "softer and kinder Singapore". Author Peh Shing Huei chronicles Goh's journey from youth, how all he wanted was a $200 pay raise in the civil sector, and ended up in the top job. Included at the end of every chapter is a spontaneous Q&A session, and the replies, although in print, can bring across Goh's self-deprecating humour and a mellower side of him in his old age. As someone born in the 90s, I only took an interest in the politics of Singapore when the PM LHL took over the reins, and never got to appreciate living in the Goh-era. This authorised biography of Goh opened my eyes to politics of the 80s and 90s, and got me interested in major events of that period.

[JW Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read on GCT’s early career in Singapore’s politics. It was very easy to read. As a Singaporean, I didn’t know he had a hand in creating these: Residents’ Committee, Medisave and Nominated MPs scheme. It has helped to debunk the myth that he is just a ‘seat warmer’ for LKY’s son, LHL. He did implement some policies that are still in force today.

He’s a practical person, just like the policies the PAP government is known to implement. He agreed with some of LKY’s controversial policies like the Graduate Mothers Scheme but scrapped it when he came to power as it was not popular with the electorate.

The book also tried to portray his leadership style as more consultative BUT I would like to know other qualities beyond that. I would like to know what makes him so brilliant but the book touches very little on that. Hoping for more in the next volume.

[Tran Dien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Một cuốn sách mà mình phải lặn lội đến thư viện quốc gia Singapore để đọc, ở đó nhìn bốn phương tám hướng toàn học sinh cấp ba với sinh viên :))

Đây là cuốn sách hồi ký về thủ tướng đời 2 của Singapore, đời thủ tướng có sự phát triển thịnh vượng nhất. Vì cuốn sách này là hồi ký dạng phỏng vấn thay vì tự truyện, nên những câu truyện trong sách khách quan nhưng ít có cảm xúc của bản thân Goh Chok Tong hơn.

Có thể nói, nếu bạn là một người tò mò điều gì khiến cuộc đời của một người xuất thân rất bình thường trong một gia đình nhiều anh chị em và thành thủ tướng đời thứ hai trong tương lai. Thì cuốn sách này là phần 1 và nói về bối cảnh lịch sử khá thú vị của ông và cũng như của Singapore 1980+

[Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very enlightening book about Singapore's history as seen by our second prime minister. It is a remarkable book about remarkable man who does not regard himself as such, very down to earth. The writer/interviewers have done excellent job and fleshing out the many human elements that appear in the history of Singapore, one you cannot simply see by watching the news alone. I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who wishes to know how Singapore came to be, especially how the transition from LKY occurs. This book describes how Singapore moved forward, into a strong country who no longer needs a LKY and can afford a "kinder and gentler" approach to governance.

I am looking forward to Vol 2.

[Tianze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting insights of Mr Goh's rise to chief governer of the island nation. To me, the most informative and worth-musing parts are the questions and answers from the author and Mr Goh - The author asked very direct and meaningful questions (lots of them are what I want to ask if I got a chance to face Mr. Goh), and Mr. Goh answered very directly and honestly (this is my view, but other reader of course are at liberty to interpret in their own ways). One anecdote from the book - He didn't say any bad thing about his/PAP's political opponents (and quite respectful to the good and able one), except one, Mr. Chee Soon Juan, where he used the word "slippery" to describe his character, which I almost totally agree and the word is so spot-on to me.

Very worth reading/listening for me.

[Kes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising read - it's slightly different from the public narrative. In this book, Goh Chok Tong really talks about asserting his autonomy.

Other reviewers have mentioned it, but I was surprised that Goh Chook Tong said that he recruited Lee Hsien Loong (and the driving force was not Lee Kuan Yew). I was also surprised that Lee Kuan Yew wanted PAP to recruit Lee Wei Ling but Goh Chok Tong asked LHL and George Yeo, who both said no. Because of that, LWL wasn't recruited.

Lee Hsien Yang was also considered, but the awkwardness of both brothers entering politics was seen as too much.

[Janice Parial · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fascination with Goh Chok Tong started with a simple trivia question years ago on Singapore Prime Ministers. I got the question wrong thinking that there were only 2.

This was a very nice and educational read. I have not given it 5 stars mainly because of (1) Storyline and format would make it an excellent tv documentary but (in my view) doesn’t translate well on print (2) This was a story about Singapore’s transition from Lee Kuan Yew to the next generation with Goh Chok Tong as the protagonist - which is simply not the reason why I purchased the book. I wanted to know about the Man himself.

[Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Tall Order, the book portrays a good story of the early life of Goh Chok Tong, and how he came to become the PM of Singapore.

The book also delved into the specific style of leadership that Goh Chok Tong embodies, which is a more consultative, collaborative and "soft" approach as some would call it.

Overall, a good glimpse into the 2nd generation of leaders in Singapore, and ther motivations. It gave me a good understanding of the political context in Singapore.

Overall a good book. It would be better if the book can go into the years after Goh Chok Tong became PM as it stops at his PM inauguration.

[Marcus Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

First for me and unique to this book is that :

There is a last segment where the main protagonist reflected about the chapters written on him .


- no jostling for the Pm post because they were all asked to serve
- LKY: trust But verify
- In launching Medisave, they did so many dialogue sessions that there were only two participants in the last session
- In finding volunteers for the resident committee, they launch a survey with open ended segments on his to improve the neighbourhood. Those that answered the open ended portions were the first people that they recruited for resident committee

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect of this book, and the OB markers of his family means there's a lot of missing background to the man. But the book still makes up for it by giving a glimpse into GCT's thinking -- in short, like an economist, technocrat, and somewhat boring: there's a job, I've been assigned, I will do my best. Another plus point for me: the book's depiction of that era's politics gave me a much better appreciation of the background behind certain political practices today.

[Ershen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depicts the Lee-Goh transition well enough, and scratches the curiosity itch on Goh’s early life and work at NOL. Only towards the end the book sheds some perspective on LKY’s odd humiliations of Goh — the infamous moment in the 1988 rally, the “wooden” comment, the general disdain of his consultative style. Cleanly written and quite a breezy read. I think this serves as a good introduction to that period of Singapore’s politics through the self-effacing figure of Goh Chok Tong.