Living the Asian Century, KIshore Mahbubani
Living the Asian Century, KIshore Mahbubani
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Living the Asian Century
An Undiplomatic Memoir

Author: KIshore Mahbubani

Narrator: Remesh Panicker

Unabridged: 9 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Oasis Audio

Published: 11/05/2024

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

In this stirring memoir, a preeminent politician and diplomat traces the transformation of the Republic of Singapore from a poor colony into an Asian powerhouse

Growing up in poverty in the 1950s, Kishore Mahbubani expected to become a common textile salesman after finishing high school. Instead, a government scholarship sent him to the University of Singapore, and four years later he found himself in the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, almost none of Mahbubani’s cousins, scattered around the world after India’s brutal partition, from Guyana to Hong Kong, would complete university.
 
During this same period, Singapore itself was undergoing a metamorphosis. Granted internal self-governance in 1959 and achieving full independence six years later, the country came of age alongside Mahbubani. And as his star rose, so did the nation’s.
 
In Living the Asian Century, Mahbubani vividly chronicles his own life going from a poor childhood in a multiethnic neighborhood to an illustrious diplomatic career that led him far from Singapore, from Cambodia to Australia, Malaysia to the United States and the UN—including the pinnacle of influence, the Security Council.
 
Along the way Mahbubani has become one of Asia’s most widely known commentators and spokespeople, with a unique perspective that straddles India, China, and the West.

About The Author

Kishore Mahbubani is a veteran diplomat, student of philosophy, and celebrated author; he is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the National University of Singapore's Asia Research Institute. Mahbubani is also a former President of the UN Security Council (Jan 2001, May 2002) and the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (2004-2017). Mahbubani writes and speaks prolifically on the rise of Asia, geopolitics and global governance. His eight books and articles in the New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times and Foreign Affairs have earned him global recognition as "the muse of the Asian century." He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in October 2019. More information can be found on www.mahbubani.net.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bagus on December 17, 2024

Reading Living the Asian Century feels to me like catching up with a mentor over coffee, a mentor who has seen it all, from the grittiest corners of geopolitics to the most polished conference rooms at ASEAN or the UN. Kishore Mahbubani, a veteran diplomat and one of Asia’s sharpest thinkers, takes......more

Goodreads review by x on October 06, 2024

Some interesting insights and anecdotes, a whole lot of Kishore’s insecurity manifesting in him trying over and over again to tell you how clever, how popular, how successful he’s been, what a renegade, what a maverick! Friends with Jokowi, visited Mandela yada yada. Kishore also insinuates LKY was......more

Goodreads review by Daniel on October 13, 2024

One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read. Kishore provided a hilarious yet deep and intellectually stimulating take on Singapore’s foreign policies. For 4 afternoons, it felt like I was a diplomat in the formative years of Singapore. His insights on diplomacy and the geopolitical situation of the wo......more

Goodreads review by Dinah on October 06, 2024

Such a wholesome read. Kishore’s writing is not only incredibly intelligent, it also warms your heart.......more

Goodreads review by Erica on November 22, 2024

found the bits about the inner workings/dynamics of the UN & MFA very interesting, such as the anecdotes on US diplomats behaviour and anecdotes on negotiation tactics. but overall, it is a book on how to self-praise in a subtle manner to the extent that the reader will feel shameful calling kishore......more