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Lee Kuan Yew  By  cover art

Lee Kuan Yew

By: Graham Allison,Robert D. Blackwill,Ali Wyne
Narrated by: Michael McConnohie,Francis Chau
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Publisher's summary

When Lee Kuan Yew speaks, presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, and CEOs listen.

Lee, the founding father of modern Singapore and its prime minister from 1959 to 1990, has honed his wisdom during more than fifty years on the world stage. Almost single-handedly responsible for transforming Singapore into a Western-style economic success, he offers a unique perspective on the geopolitics of East and West. American presidents from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama have welcomed him to the White House; British prime ministers from Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair have recognized his wisdom; and business leaders from Rupert Murdoch to Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobil, have praised his accomplishments.

This book gathers key insights from interviews, speeches, and Lee's voluminous published writings and presents them in an engaging question and answer format. Lee offers his assessment of China's future, asserting, among other things, that "China will want to share this century as co-equals with the U.S." He affirms the United States' position as the world's sole superpower but expresses dismay at the vagaries of its political system. He offers strategic advice for dealing with China and goes on to discuss India'sfuture, Islamic terrorism, economic growth, geopolitics and globalization, and democracy.

Lee does not pull his punches, offering his unvarnished opinions on multiculturalism, the welfare state, education, and the free market. This audiobook belongs on the reading list of every world leader - including the one who took the oath of office on January 20, 2013.

©2012 Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

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Thought-provoking

Until I read this short book I did not know much about Yew except that he took over Singapore after World War II and is the founding father of modern Singapore. Yew was Prime Minister from 1959-1990.

Graham Allison and Robert Blackwell two leading strategic thinkers asked Yew questions and also put together information from his voluminous writings and speeches. The book is mainly in a question and answer format, the result is this concise, but important book.

I found myself engrossed in the incisive wisdom presented by Yew. I really enjoyed the following comment in the book. “China tells us that countries big and small are equal, that it is not a hegemon; but when we do something they do not like, they say you have made 1.3 billion people unhappy. So please know your place.” When asked if India will match China’s rise? Yew said “Not likely, India is not a real country. Instead, it is 32 separate nations that happen to be arrayed along the British rail line.” I think Yew’s comments about China are right on the mark. When asked by the authors will China accept its place within the postwar order created by the United States? Yew answered, “No. It is China’s intention to become the greatest power in the world—and to be accepted as China, not as an honorary member of the West.” One comment he made has got my attention. Yew said “The United States focuses on individual rights but has failed to pair this with individual responsibility.

Yew is 90 years old and his comments on the United States are pertinent to many of the debates in which we are enmeshed today. This book has triggered my interest to learn more about this most insightful man. Michael McConnohie and Francis Chau narrated the book.

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How to make a great Nation - by a Nation Builder

Singapore will probably replace NYC as the most important business city in the world, this will largely be due to the hard work of this brilliant man.

It's awesome that he can be so candid and open. This is truly authentic self expression. You will learn something.

The wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew rings through the content. It's worth every penny.

It is a great book to read after a Joe Studwell book. The Studwell books cover the Economic Environment of Asia since WW2 and this book covers how Lee Kuan Yew applied Realpolitik brilliantly in Asia's dynamic conditions.

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Read Lee Kuan Yew's own book instead of this one

Bought this audiobook as LKY's own books are not in audiobooks format yet - thought this could be a good summary and refresher.

Very disappointed - highly inconsistent with what LKY wrote in his own book. Read LKY's own book if you are interested in his ideas, not this book.

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Excellent Insights

It's hard to describe how insightful this book is on a pragmatic approach to leadership. Lee Kuan Yew's insights and actions as a leader transformed his "city" into an internationally recognized financial power center. After listening to his thoughts on different perspectives from cultural to civic responsibilities, you get a sense for the man that transformed his tiny country into the Asian power player it is today. If you're a politically correct person - walk away. Lee Kuan Yew is NOT for you. His philosophies carry aspects of Confucian, Clausewitz, and even some Hobbes. Critical to everyone and yet complimentary to everyone - this book is a must for students of international relations.

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Worth the read but a lot of dated information

To be sure Lee Quan you has much wisdom and insight that we can learn from. However while the authors made a valiant attempt to cobble together many different responses quotes and statements by Lee Quan you, there were a noticeable amount of references that were dated or in other words referencing trends and current events that were 20 or more years old. I would still recommend this bookSpace however I would advise the reader that the statements” were made over a period of 15 or more years. Submit

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Very inciteful geo-political views by Lee Kuan Yew

Very inciteful geo-political views by Lee Kuan Yew. He is indeed an asset the up coming Generation Z politicians.

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Chapter 5 comments. He doesn't know America

I've traveled the world, hired and lived with common people, and his comments about America prove he's either only watched TV, Asian based news about America, or has a narrow experience. These comments are common around the world, sadly. I can say, yes, for example, areas of San Francisco mirror dysfunction, but statistics, how this area is a magnet for the vagrants due to local politics, warm weather, and apathy, can give this impression. Drive 5 miles out, where I lived once, and it's very healthy.

Historically non-American's can't understand this planned system. It drove the Soviets nuts because it wasn't predictable. That is only one example.

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Great Insightful Mind

This was a great listen. I enjoyed very much the ideas of this man.
This is a good book to read or listen to to have a view of the current political worlds

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Embrace foreign influences

Lee says that Singapore has to embrace foreign influences or it will be swept away. I happened to be travelling to Singapore in January and my passport was valid to June of that year. I was not even allowed to board the plane from Phuket (Singapore gvt demands 6 months valid passport), even though I had an onward ticket from Singapore long before passport expiry and was planning to spend quiet some money there. I have to conclude Singapore is not build in Lee's image, but it is a scary police state, patrolled by rule obeying nazis of questionable IQ. If their order sheet said to amputate every right leg of incoming tourists, they would obey without questioning and the rulers of Singapore would no doubt be proud that Singapore was not corrupt and executed orders without mercy.
Many countries in asia have 6 months passport validity demand copied from each other, but luckily they have corrupt governments who do not threaten people or airlines that bring those people, but take a bribe and all are happier because of it.

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Equal to Abraham Lincoln 

Singapore remains a beacon. It almost makes me wanna move there. yew although humble, and declining to be a statement certainly perhaps the most capable have seen in the past century 

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