Lee Kuan Yew

By: Graham Allison, Robert D. Blackwill, Ali Wyne

Narrated by: Michael McConnohie, Francis Chau

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

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.

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.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

wonderful

love it, it's a great guide from a great leader, and his understanding of the global challenges

Pragmatic and repetitive

This is basically a summary of LKY view on the world. It's a very pragmatic approach to world politics. If you are focused you will find that the majority of the book is about China, trade with China and only about China. Even though I held him with high regards, the view is repetitive. The book is even more repetitive , there are some parts which have repeated for more than three times without changing a word.

Brilliant

Excellent portrayal of the thinking of one of the wisest public servants of our age. Very illuminating, I thoroughly recommend this for anyone interested in Lee Kuan Yew, major geopolitical and economic world trends, or political theory. Remarkable.

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

The Grand Master speaks, we need to listen...

Lee was very conservative but practical. There are new chalenges like loss of jobs to AI and robots that he has no answer for. But his predictions on China and the value of the smart among us ring true. His wisdom and advice remain an incredible and relevant gift to mankind. I hope we are listening!

very enlightening

this is one of the best audio books i have listened to. Lee Kuan Yew is very vast and there is a lot to learn from this great man if you are an aspiring leader.

Insightful on governing philosophy of LKY

very good read to understand in depth how LKY think and reason. points raised are thought provoking.

Who was he, was he from planet Earth?

To anyone in politics: Charters 8 and 9 to be learned by hearth. Will check!

Top class

I really liked LKY opinions into the past and future of the countries. It gives a great understanding of the man. My favourite audio book.