Singapore Unlikely Power by John Curtis Perry - A Book Retelling Series

I just finished reading “Singapore: Unlikely Power” by John Curtis Perry, and I have to say - this book blew my mind a little.

Here’s a country smaller than most cities. No natural resources. No fresh water. Surrounded by much bigger neighbors who weren’t always friendly. And yet Singapore became one of the richest, most stable, and most connected places on the planet.

How? That’s basically what this whole book is about.

What This Series Is About

Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to retell this book chapter by chapter. Not a dry summary - more like what I found interesting, what surprised me, and what I think matters for understanding how the world works today.

John Curtis Perry is a professor who specializes in maritime history. And that angle makes this book different from most Singapore stories. Instead of just talking about Lee Kuan Yew and modern politics, Perry goes way back. He starts with ancient sea routes and shows how Singapore’s location - right at the crossroads of major shipping lanes - shaped everything that came after.

The Book at a Glance

Title: Singapore: Unlikely Power Author: John Curtis Perry Published: 2017, Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780190469504

The book covers thousands of years of history in nine chapters. From ancient Malay sea traders to British colonialism. From the Japanese occupation in World War II to independence and the modern city-state we know today.

What to Expect

Here’s the roadmap for this series:

1. Preface - Why should we care about Singapore?
2. Chapter I: Origins - Ancient sea people and early trade routes
3. Chapter II: Wings of Canvas - European sailors arrive in Asia
4. Chapter III: Queen of the Further East - The birth of modern Singapore
5. Chapter IV: Empire at Zenith (2 parts) - Suez Canal, rubber, tin, and global trade
6. Chapter V: Clouds, Thunder, and Storm (2 parts) - World War II hits Singapore
7. Chapter VI: Walking on a Razor’s Edge - Post-war recovery and independence
8. Chapter VII: Turfed Out (2 parts) - Building a nation from scratch
9. Chapter VIII: Coming to the Present (2 parts) - Modern Singapore’s challenges
10. Chapter IX: Global Hinge? - Singapore’s future role in the world

Some chapters were so packed with content that I split them into two posts. Trust me, you’ll want the breathing room.

Why This Book Matters

Singapore’s story isn’t just about one small country. It’s about what happens when geography, timing, and smart decisions line up. It’s about how trade connects people. And it’s a reminder that nothing is guaranteed - Singapore’s success was never inevitable.

Whether you’re into history, geopolitics, economics, or just like a good underdog story, there’s something here for you.

Let’s get started. First up: Perry’s preface and why we should care.