Days of Thunder: How Lee Kuan Yew Blazed the Freedom Trail

by Anthony Oei

About the This is the complete story of post-World War II Singapore, beginning with the anti-colonial campaign that ended 140 years of British rule to the present. In the 1950s, the anti-colonial forces comprised nationalist freedom fighters and the communists. Eventually, the main contenders for ruling power were the People’s Action Party (PAP) led by nationalist Lee Kuan Yew and the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) headed by Chin Peng. Displaying their calibre and political acumen, Lee Kuan Yew and his team overcame all adversities. Lee, who became Singapore’s first Prime Minister, orchestrated the movement to build a prosperous and peaceful Singapore, and to mould a new Singaporean. In one generation, they elevated the nation from the Third World to the First World league. Indeed, Singapore is one of the most successful former colonies. This book explores the leadership of Lee during Singapore’s first 31 years. He is a symbol of Singapore’s success. When he stepped down in 1990, he left “gold standards”, a clean and efficient government, world-class infrastructure and a business-friendly economy. The success story of Singapore as an independent nation is a saga worth telling and preserving for posterity. The point at issue is whether Singapore could have achieved as much without Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and master craftsman of modern Singapore.

253 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2005

About the author

Anthony Oei was a journalist with The Straits Times and Radio & Television Singapura, public relations manager of the Economic Development Board and a writer with several advertising agencies.

Reviews

[Ganesh Venkataramanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive read. Very well narrated by Anthony Oei. U will become a fan of LKY when u finish this book. Hats off to his dedication in building Singapore. I am amazed!