Singapore 60s: An Age of Discovery

Never-before-published photos document the birth of a global powerhouse Singapore 60s: An Age of Discovery provides a firsthand glimpse at the early days of the city-state, as told through the never-before-published photographs of an American diplomat. Author George W. Porter served as a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore from 1965 to 1970; as a former journalist and amateur photographer, he found himself in an ideal position to document the early days of the newly-independent city-state, and the promise and ambition that led to the Singapore we know today. These photographs capture scenes of a bygone era, with Singaporeans young and old living and working in maritime surroundings so heavily dependent on the Singapore River. A far cry from the bustling metropolis Singapore has become, the scenes in these photos nevertheless capture the heart and soul of the Singaporean citizens, and the first tiny steps that birthed a model city-state and global economic powerhouse. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first and founding Prime Minister, espoused a philosophy of transparent and pragmatic governance that turned a tiny, resource-poor city-state into one of history's greatest nation-building success stories. This book captures the spark of the early days, and presents a prescient view of what was to come. * Witness the sleepy glory of 1960s Singapore * Remember the energy and promise of Singapore's first steps * See how far Singapore has come in a mere fifty years * Consider what the next fifty years may hold for this bustling powerhouse What better way to honor Singapore's Golden Jubilee than to look back at the birth of this global success? Singapore 60s: An Age of Discovery gives you a front-row seat for the trip down memory lane, and a rare glimpse of the start of the journey.

George Porter (Maryland, US) was a newspaper reporter and editor before joining the United States Information Agency (USIA) in 1960. After serving in the Philippines and in Penang, Malaysia, he was assigned to Singapore in 1965. Shortly afterward, Singapore left Malaysia and became an independent nation. Porter had a home in Singapore until 1972. He served as the Information Officer at the American Embassy between 1965 and 1970. In 1971, when he served in Saigon, his family continued to live in Singapore and he visited often. Porter was fascinated by the sights of South East Asia and took photographs everywhere he lived. He was particularly captivated by the newly independent Singapore. These pictures are a sample of his views of Singapore during its early days as an independent nation. George Porter currently lives in Maryland, USA.