From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000 is the second volume of Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs. In this volume, he speaks about the Post-Independence growth and history of Singapore.

Summary of the Book

When Singapore broke free in 1965, many did not expect it to have a bright future. Now, this former British colonial trading post is not only a prime destination for Asian business and tourism, but it also boasts some of the finest facilities in the continent. Singapore has what is arguably the best airline in the world, the best airport and is the busiest trade port. It also boasts the world’s fourth-highest per capita real income, becoming a symbol of prosperity and progress. Lee Kuan Yew speaks with the authority of a man who has lived through and engineered much of Singapore’s recent history. He was a pivotal personality in its reformation as a newly formed country and he digs deep into hitherto unrevealed reports and notes to speak about that progress. He divulges how the tiny island city-state struggled to end the communist threat and reformed from the ashes of the old world. He explains how the government worked to improve the basic facilities, including roads through what was mainly a collection of swamps. He details how Singaporeans came together to form an army despite their numerous racial and ideological differences, and how the country secured the position it is famous for today.

About Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew is a Singaporean statesman and the first Prime Minister of Singapore. He is also the co-founder and first Secretary-General of the People's Action Party. He is known for his role in separating Singapore from Malaysia in 1965.

Lee was awarded theRussian Order of Friendshipby PresidentDmitry Medvedev, theWoodrow Wilson Award for Public Serviceby the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the firstLifetime Achievement awardby the US-Asean Business Council at its 25th anniversary gala dinner in Washington, DC.

Lee has also written a two-volume set of memoirs, the first of which isThe Singapore Story. The above title is the second instalment in this set. He has also writtenKeeping My Mandarin Alive: Lee Kuan Yew Language Learning Experience,My Lifelong Challenge Singapore's Bilingual JourneyandLee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going.