It provides an uninterrupted, chronological narrative from Stamford Raffles' arrival in 1819 through the colonial period, the Japanese Occupation, self-government, and the early decades of independence.
: Unlike many modern studies that focus solely on the post-1965 success story, Turnbull places significant emphasis on the colonial experience under the British Crown, arguing it set the stage for later prosperity. a history of modern singapore turnbull pdf best