From Third World to First

Lee Kuan Yew’s own account of Singapore’s first thirty-five years — housing, water, defence, the civil service, and the bargains he made with neighbours and great powers.

Why it’s on the list: Named in the “best history book” thread. A state-building memoir written by the person who did it, which makes it both the best source and the most interested one.

Where I saw it: In Kyle’s “Books To Read” Apple Note, recovered from the reply thread to @typesfast asking “What’s the best history book you’ve read?” (June 5, 2025). The full recovered list lives on What’s the best history book… (tweet).

Connections

• What’s the best history book… (tweet) — the thread this came out of; the full recovered list lives there.
• Lee Kuan Yew — the author.
• Singapore · City Building — the project.