Singapore gained independence in 1965, a city-state in a world of nation-states. Yet its long and complex history reaches much farther back. Blending modernity and tradition, ideologies and ethnicities, a peculiar set of factors make Singapore what it is today.
In this thematic study of the island nation, Michael D. Barr proposes a new approach to understand this development. From the pre-colonial period through to the modern day, he traces the idea, the politics and the geography of Singapore over five centuries of rich history. In doing so he rejects the official narrative of the so-called 'Singapore Story'.
Drawing on in-depth archival work and oral histories, Singapore: A Modern History is a work both for students of the country's history and politics, but also for any reader seeking to engage with this enigmatic and vastly successful nation.
About the Author
Michael D. Barr is Associate Professor in International Relations, Flinders University, Australia. He has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
Industry Reviews
"Barr builds his argument on extensive archival research and mastery of secondary scholarly and popular publications, including government-issued textbooks that promulgate the official “Singapore Story.” Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty."
CHOICE
"Dr. Barr is a very talented writer. His intellect and more nuanced perspectives come through in this book, in which the content dives deep into Singapore's history from a political, geographic, and economic view … If you want a very real and well-researched academic historical book, don't miss out on this one!"
Singapore Politics: Blog
"Barr breaks decisively from the prevailing orthodoxy serving elite political interests to highlight struggles, forces and dynamics fundamental in shaping modern Singapore."
Garry Rodan, Professor of Politics and International Studies, Murdoch University
"Michael Barr's “Modern History” of Singapore offers a refreshingly candid counter-narrative to “The Singapore Story”. Broad, bold and brazen, Barr's self-consciously revisionist history of Singapore breaks away from the dominant meta-narrative of the Singapore state and its elites."
Kevin YL Tan, Executive Editor, Asian Journal of Comparative Law and Professor (Adjunct), Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
"Barr offers insights into Singapore history that no other historian can give scholars and students. Singapore: A Modern History deserves a prominent place alongside the works of other historians who have also embarked on this most challenging task of writing a general history of Singapore."
Australian Journal of Politics and History
