Lion City Narratives: Singapore Through Western Eyes, Savage Victor R.

Lion City Narratives: Singapore Through Western Eyes fulfils four aims. First, it is a study of subjective Western impressions of Singapores 145 years (1819-1963) of colonial history. The study is not meant to be an in-depth historical analysis of Singapore, but rather to give the reader an impressionistic account of how Western residents viewed Singapore over the decades. Second, this study could be seen as a short biography of Singapores evolution as a city. The chapters on the imageability of Singapore and its urban morphology provide a holistic perspective of Singapores urban dynamics. Third, this book provides a cultural insight into Singapores population, both White residents and transient visitors, as well as the locals or Asians. Fourth, it opens a window into Singapores development at a time when the West was at its cultural zenith and when Great Britain was the principal superpower of the 19th century. Hence Singapore carried twin colonial legacies - it was the archetype trading emporium between East and West, and it became, for the British, the major point dappui for defence. Finally, the Singapore colonial narrative is set in a broader academic discourse that allows the reader to see a wider picture of Singapores colonial development.

The book does not attempt to make a definitive statement about the Western involvement in Singapore; it deals more with an association of many subjective Western perspectives that add colour to the liveability of the tropics, perceptions of the exotic Orient, and the myriad views of ethnic groups. Without the Western writings, paintings, and maps, academia would have minimal records of Singapores development. As a new colony in the early 19th century however, Singapores growth has been extremely well documented.

This book will appeal to Singaporeans interested in understanding Singapores colonial past, Westerners interested in the Western cultural persona in the development of Singapore, researchers dealing with the urban development of less-developed countries and colonial development in the tropical world, and lastly, academics who are interested in Singapore and the regions political and economic development as a case study.