Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir

by Kishore Mahbubani

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.

Genres: History, Politics, Asia, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography

336 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Kishore Mahbubani (born 24 October 1948) is a Singaporean academic and former diplomat. He is currently Professor in the Practice of Public Policy at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

From 1971 to 2004 he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In that role, he served as President of the United Nations Security Council in January 2001 and May 2002.

On 6 November 2017, Mahbubani announced that he would retire from the position as Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School at the end of 2017.

Reviews

[Bagus]

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 us on a journey through his life and Singapore’s meteoric rise from a Third World country into a First. If you’ve spent any time in the diplomatic or political world, you’ll appreciate not just his insights but also his ability to connect the dots between personal struggles, institutional growth and Asia’s quiet but determined climb to global prominence.

Mahbubani, born in 1948, grew up in a Singapore most of us can barely imagine, one far removed from the gleaming city-state we know today, thanks to the Partition of India that forced his parents to migrate from the traditional Sindhi land in today's Pakistan. He doesn’t sugarcoat his humble beginnings: a poor kid with limited prospects who expected to settle for an ordinary life. His sisters didn't go to university and he could easily end up leading a similar life. That he ended up not only attending university on a government scholarship but also serving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later as the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN at the young age of 35 is a testament to both personal resilience and the opportunities Singapore’s growth created for its people thanks to its good governance.

What I found most compelling, though, is how Mahbubani makes his career milestones more than just a highlight reel. Whether navigating Cambodia’s political realities, working in Australia, or observing the East-West divide from his perch in New York, he uses each moment to reflect on the larger picture. It’s not a memoir drenched in nostalgia. There’s always a lesson, an idea, or a challenge for those of us in international affairs to chew on.

But this isn’t just Mahbubani’s story. It’s Singapore’s story too. The country’s rise is often presented as a miracle, but through Mahbubani’s eyes, it’s clear that Singapore’s transformation required grit, pragmatism and a bit of audacity from the country's founding fathers like Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, or S. Rajaratnam, qualities that seem to have defined Kishore's own life. He also threads in a deeply personal angle, comparing his path to that of his cousins scattered across the globe after India’s partition. This makes the narrative more relatable and human, reminding us of the opportunities we sometimes take for granted.

For those of us working in diplomacy, Mahbubani’s unique vantage point is particularly insightful. He’s a bridge between Asia and the West, and his reflections highlight both the progress Asia has made and the gaps that still need closing. Living the Asian Century isn’t just about looking back. The memoir is also a quiet call to action for how we, as professionals in this field, can better understand Asia’s growing role on the global stage.

[maxyeote]

a few fun insider stories from the authors long and illustrious diplomatic career, but the book is let down by his love of self-congratulation and self-pity in equal measure.

something like 50% of the book is either humblebragging about all the famous/important people he's "good friends" with or complaining about how he was moderately slighted by an acquaintance 30 years ago.

not much in the way of novel or insightful comments about diplomacy or geopolitics, but this is ostensibly a memoir so maybe he gets a pass. mahbubani is ironically most interesting when talking about his childhood and youth, and his early days in the MFA, not so much when he goes on about how successful his career was and how people are so impressed by him.

[x]

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 jelly of his being listed as a public intellect in magazines — one of which he’s like the FIRST Singaporean to write for and till now is one of the few Asians publishing there 🙄

If Kishore needs validation, Kishore should go to his wife or idk look at his childhood trophies or something. Wanted to stop reading the book 1/3 through because of all the not-so-humble bragging. But book was a bit expensive at $38.70 so i ploughed on

Also, love how he lauded meritocracy but told us he had gotten GIC boss Ng Kok Song to write to friends in NYC to help his sons get into some fancy private school.

[doomedsardines]

I wasn’t able to pass on a book that starts with “Blame it all on the damn British.” Kishore Mahbubani (KM) was born into a poor Sindhi family whose members were forced to flee Muslim-majority Pakistan after the British Partition. There was nothing for them in India, so to Singapore they went. The story that could otherwise have been very ordinary turned into the extraordinary life of a famous diplomat and founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Was it the library, where he spent a lot of time with his friend as a child, or his alcoholic father, who abused him and his mother, that determined his future?

Kishore is a prominent figure in the diplomatic establishment. His books, among them another one that I’ve recently read - “Has China Won” are bestsellers and populate shelf of many high-ranking officials all over the world. His views are fresh, as not western centric, contrary to what’s pushed to us nowadays from every corner, being it from mainstream news outlets or social media.

As with any diplomatic memoir, it was a delightful read for me. I particularly enjoyed his UN years, first when he was Singapore’s ambassador to the UN from 1998 to 2004 and later when he was President of the Security Council, while Singapore was an elected UNSC member in 2001 and 2002. The part where he held various local jobs in the Singaporean MFA did not really resonate with me, perhaps because Kishore himself struggled with internal power plays and the presence of such a figure as Lee Kuan Yew.

It’s amazing to see how a small state like Singapore is trying to navigate the geopolitical landscape without giving in—not to larger neighbours like Indonesia and Malaysia, nor even to world powers such as the USA, which has tried to interfere in the internal affairs of its supposedly close ally. Many smaller countries, including Switzerland, can learn from that stance. Instead of blindly following and submitting to their neighbours, one should stand tall and defend their own interests and historically shaped neutrality.

Throughout the book, Kishore highlights the hypocrisies of the US. How the very institutions, like UN, that was created to keep peace and order on our planet being undermined and kept artificially weak by it. The only use of the UNGA or UNSC for the US is the legitimisation of the numerous wars it starts. The winner of the Cold War has placed itself above any jurisdiction except its own and shows indifference to international legal opinion. There should be no illusion left anywhere that ethical principles prevail; it is only brute power that matters.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who still lives under the illusion that the so-called West has the moral high ground to judge others and impose its “rules-based order” on them. The times when the decadent Western powers could dictate their will to others are over. They will try everything to maintain the illusion that they are still in control for as long as possible. Unfortunately, this will cause many innocent people to suffer.

[Daniel Ashley]

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 world is truly captivating as he uses basic theories such as the law of universalism to highlight an uncontested view of the hypocrisy of many powerful countries who often look like fools on a moral pedestal.

His stories of how our founding fathers rebelled against the western countries in the geopolitical world makes me truly proud to be Singaporean. I thoroughly agree that more of these stories should be studied further as many of these strategies played by key leaders like S. Rajaratnam or Tommy Koh or even Kishore were truly a diplomacy masterclass.

His intellect, passion and confidence is something I aspire to possess one day.

[Erica]

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 an arrogant man.

tips on self-praise: rationalise your insecurities towards others' dislike of you into their jealousy of your competency, intellect and fame.

[Ted Tyler]

Kishore Mahbubani is probably Singapore's most famous diplomat. He became well known while serving as Singapore's Ambassador the UN (1984-1989, 1998-2004) and as President of the UN Security Council. In his memoirs, he talks not only about his humble upbringing, his striving into the middle class, and his rise to power, but he also tells Singapore's story and how it became independent of the United Kingdom, negotiated a union with Malaysia, and separated two years later. I learned a lot about the 1960s and what Southeast Asia looked like geopolitically. You come away with an appreciation for how Singapore decided to stake out an independent foreign policy, navigating challenging relationships with Malaysia and the United States, and making calculated decisions to survive in a hostile world.

Mahbubani's a good storyteller, even if he can indulge in a bit of bragging at times. It helps that he acknowledges having a lot of people who helped him out, and he does thank many who were mentors. He has both admiration for the West and also lots of criticism. Read it, and you'll learn a lot about how a powerful thinker sees the world changing, and how the events he lived through are shaping those changes.

[Kim]

An enjoyable read. Learned a lot on Singapore politics and good governance, ASEAN dynamics specifically on Malaysia-Singapore relations, and got a glimpse, better understanding even, on how UNSC works. Kishore writes his story as if he’s sharing them over dinner. Fascinating, captivating!

[Niels]

Vlot geschreven boek van invloedrijk diplomaat uit Singapore. Interessant perspectief vanuit een stadsstaat die een enorme ontwikkeling heeft doorgemaakt dat parralel ligt aan het leven van Mahbubani. 'The Asian Dream'

@Arthur, die essay die je hebt liggen wil ik snel wel lezen ;)

[Seán Holland]

Damn this guy is insecure, and he’s a John Rawls fan. Yuck!

[3thn]

Collection of stories from Mr mahbubani’s exciting life

[Dinah Amrad]

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

[Noren]

I whizzed through this book partly because it is an easy read and partly because I enjoyed the behind the scenes of Singapore’s political stories. It’s almost like a podcast which could be titled Koffee with Kishore.
The delightful bits were the vignettes of the old guards and how the United Nations, especially the powerful members, seem to sound like a bunch of power mad kids.
Lots of humble bragging but considering his journey, you kind of let him enjoy that.

[Andrés Ríos]

Loved Mahbubani’s insider perspective into contemporary global diplomacy, the moral corruption of the West, and the rise of Asia, as well as the good governance of Singapore and how proud he is of being a Singaporean!

[Stuart Piper]

There’s a poignant irony here. Mahbubani’s whole intellectual project is about shifting from a hypocritical world order to a fairer one. Yet by refusing to directly challenge Israel’s crimes (arguably one of the clearest modern examples of unpunished, Western-backed oppression) he risks reinforcing the very Western double standards he seeks to dismantle.

[Tinzing Artmann]

Reading Living the Asian Century by Kishore Mahbubani was an incredibly enriching experience for me. The book is not just a narrative about the rise of Asia in the 21st century but also a deeply personal memoir that resonated with many aspects of my own life and worldview. Through his reflections, Mahbubani provides an intimate look at his struggles with poverty, identity, and education, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity. For me, this book was not only a window into Mahbubani’s journey but also a mirror reflecting my own experiences and cultural upbringing.

Relating to Mahbubani’s Early Struggles

One of the most moving parts of the book was Mahbubani’s account of growing up poor. His chapter titles, such as “Still Poor,” immediately caught my attention. I could relate deeply to his description of a poor family navigating societal judgments. The scene where a member of the Sindhi community drove up to their house in a Mercedes, not to offer sympathy for his father’s imprisonment but to demand repayment of a small loan, struck a chord with me. It reminded me of how poverty often reveals both the harshness and kindness of people. His neighbors, who were equally poor, showed solidarity and support, echoing the communal values I experienced growing up in India.

Mahbubani’s reflections on the hierarchical nature of Asian societies also resonated with me. His observation that “all Asian societies are hierarchical” felt so true to my own upbringing. It was intriguing to see this reality articulated so plainly, as it often goes unspoken. Growing up, I referred to all adults as “aunties” and “uncles,” a sign of respect that was deeply ingrained in our culture, just as Mahbubani describes in his neighborhood interactions.

The Conflict Between Asian and Western Worldviews

As someone who has spent years navigating both Asian and Western cultures, Mahbubani’s struggle with cultural identity felt deeply familiar. His reflections on how he became increasingly drawn to Western rationalism and distanced from Asian traditions mirrored my own experiences. Like him, I spent hours as a child praying alongside my friends, but instead of finding spiritual fulfillment, I often felt restless and bored. Mahbubani’s honesty about how prayer served to soothe his mother rather than himself was refreshingly relatable.

His fascination with Western authors like Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre marked a turning point in his intellectual journey. He wrote about how reading Western philosophy transported him out of what he called “the dark caves of Asian superstition” into a world governed by logic and reason. As someone who also grew up immersed in the teachings of traditional Asian cultures, I could understand the allure of this intellectual awakening. However, his statement that polytheistic Asian religions were “backward” compared to monotheistic Western ones left me uneasy. While I appreciated his personal journey, this generalization seemed reductive and failed to acknowledge the depth and complexity of Asian spiritual traditions.

Education and Its Transformative Power

Mahbubani’s reflections on education were some of my favorite parts of the book. His critique of rote learning and his call for education to “light fires” rather than “fill buckets” felt incredibly relevant. I could not help but laugh at his anecdotes, such as the story of his professor who absentmindedly set his hair on fire while smoking during a lecture. This humorous moment captured the chaos and charm of the academic environment he described, where eccentricity often coexisted with brilliance.

At the same time, Mahbubani’s exposure to Western pedagogical methods, where professors encouraged students to address them by their first names and engage as intellectual equals, felt revolutionary to him—and to me as a reader. Growing up in an Asian culture where teachers were revered figures of authority, this egalitarian approach to education seemed almost unthinkable. His journey from memorizing facts to critically questioning ideas reminded me of my own shift in perspective as I pursued higher education in a Western setting.

The Bigger Picture: Asia’s Rise in a Changing World

While much of the book is deeply personal, Mahbubani never loses sight of the broader context: the rise of Asia in the modern world. He reflects on how Asian societies have historically internalized the belief that Western civilizations are superior. This belief, he argues, led many Asians, including himself, to adopt Western ideas and practices while distancing themselves from their own cultural roots.

Mahbubani’s analysis of Malaysia and Singapore’s relationship as “a divorced couple living in the same house” was particularly striking. His analogy perfectly captured the complex dynamic between these two nations, where historical ties and modern rivalries create a unique tension. His recounting of their separation on August 9, 1965, gave me a deeper understanding of the historical and political forces that shaped the region.

Another memorable moment was his discussion of the Vietnam War, where he highlighted the elusiveness of truth in geopolitics. His nuanced take on the war’s conflicting narratives—the U.S. fighting communism versus North Vietnam fighting for national liberation—was thought-provoking. It reminded me of how history is often shaped by the lens through which it is viewed.

A Thought-Provoking Read

For me, Living the Asian Century was more than just a book; it was an experience that brought together personal reflection and intellectual growth. Mahbubani’s ability to blend personal anecdotes with broader philosophical and political themes made the book both relatable and enlightening. From his struggles with poverty to his philosophical explorations and his critique of education, every chapter felt like an invitation to examine my own beliefs and experiences.

While some of his generalizations about Asian and Western cultures left me wanting a more balanced perspective, the overall narrative was compelling and deeply engaging. Living the Asian Century is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of a rapidly changing world through the lens of a deeply personal and profoundly intellectual journey. It is a book that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.

[Dina_s]

A fascinating life, and meaningful to me as I too am a member of the Sindhi diaspora. Kishore Mahbubani is of a similar age as my parents and inlaws, so it was good to see our history, and generational trauma, represented in print.
As far as the memoir goes it was rather perfunctory, with a fair bit of chest thumping, and good insight into geopolitics and the questionable political wrangling of the UN and the G5 from an Asian perspective. Some glossing over of austere Singaporean rules and regulations but that's to be expected.
I know that many have objected to the name dropping and nepotism here and there, but it's part of Asian culture to network and nurture good connections and ask for help now and again. Where we can, we help others to the best of our ability too in return. I think it's a very Western perspective to decry this.
There was only one aspect that I found uncomfortable, and that was the depiction of shrewd and calculated political manoeuvring as naïvete and feigned ignorance of grievous consequences to his peers and higher ups. That came across as rather disingenuous.
All in all a good read. May explore some of his other books.

[Chai Li Chai Li]

4.4 stars

[Faisal Chairul]

Sebelum membaca memoar beliau ini, saya hanya mengetahui sosok beliau hanya sebagai seorang diplomat asal Singapura. Setelah membaca memoar ini, sosok beliau dengan pengalaman baik sebagai duta besar untuk beberapa negara maupun sebagai Utusan Tetap untuk PBB, ternyata sungguh mempesona.

Beliau lahir di Singapura pada tahun 1948 dari seorang ayah klan Mahbubani, klan tertinggi dalam hierarki Hindu Sindhi, dan seorang ibu yang berhasil menyelamatkan diri dari tragedi pemisahan India-Pakistan pada tahun 1947. Menempuh studi di Universitas Singapura (sekarang National University of Singapore/NUS) dengan jurusan yang berlawanan dengan arus utama pada waktu itu seperti ekonomi dan bisnis, beliau mengambil jurusan filsafat. Pemahaman akan filsafat moral yang digagas oleh Ludwig Wittgenstein membuatnya lebih bijaksana saat memasuki dunia diplomasi. Ludwig Wittgenstein mengemukakan bahwa kita tidak bisa menemukan 'kebenaran' yang benar-benar objektif sementara yang bisa kita lakukan hanyalah memahami konteks yang mengiringinya. Beliau mencontohkan pengalaman beliau ketika berhadapan dengan isu konflik AS-Vietnam masa Perang Dingin. 'Realitas objektif' sangat bergantung pada konteks dan narasi yang digunakan. Selain Wittgenstein, beliau juga sangat terpengaruh oleh filosofi moral 'universability'-nya R. M. Hare.

Penugasan diplomatik luar negeri pertama beliau di Kedutaan Besar Singapura untuk Kamboja di kota Phnom Penh pada tahun 1973 memberikan pengalaman diplomasi berharga bagi Singapura terkait realisme hubungan internasional, bahwa negara 'kecil' harus bisa memosisikan dirinya di tengah kekuatan 'besar' di sekitarnya. Pada waktu itu, Kamboja, bersama Laos, turut terseret dalam upaya AS mencegah perluasan pengaruh Vietnam Utara ke arah Vietnam Selatan. AS, melalui agen CIA, merancang kudeta terhadap pemimpin 'netral' Kamboja, Raja Sihanouk, dan menempatkan 'boneka'nya, Jenderal Lon Nol ke tampuk kekuasaan. Upaya ini justru kontraproduktif dan pengaruh 'pemerintahan boneka' AS di Kamboja terus tergerus oleh pihak the Khmer Rogue.

Di dalam negeri, beliau termasuk tokoh yang sering bersinggungan dengan para pendiri Singapura seperti Lee Kuan Yew (Perdana Menteri pertama Singapura), Goh Keng Swee (Wakil Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan pertama Singapura) dan tentunya S. Rajaratnam (Menteri Luar Negeri pertama Singapura).

Setelah penugasan pertama beliau di Kedubes Singapura untuk Kamboja, beliau kemudian ditugaskan di Kedubes Singapura untuk Malaysia di kota Kuala Lumpur. Masa-masa penugasannya di Kedubes Malaysia ini menjadi saksi lika-liku isu diplomatik terkait klaim teritori Pulau Pedra Branca yang akhirnya menemukan titik temu pada tahun 1994 melalui pengajuan bersama ke Mahkamah Pengadilan Internasional (ICJ), walaupun akhirnya baru selesai tahun 2008.

Beliau meneruskan jejak Tommy Koh sebagai diplomat Singapura yang menjabat Utusan Tetap Singapura untuk PBB selama dua periode. Tommy Koh menjabatnya sejak tahun 1968 hingga tahun 1984 dan berjasa besar dalam melahirkan kesepakatan internasional UNCLOS pada tahun 1982. Sementara itu, beliau menjabat periode pertamanya pada tahun 1984-1989 dan periode keduanya pada tahun 1998-2003.

Selama penugasannya di PBB, beliau mengalami langsung dinamika realisme hubungan internasional, ketika negara-negara dengan kekuatan besar selalu mengarahkan diskusi atas suatu isu sesuai kepentingan nasional mereka. Dinamika ini bisa berupa lobi politik langsung menuju Sidang Umum PBB (UNGA) maupun lobi politik tidak langsung melalui penubuhan frasa-frasa tertentu yang 'abu-abu' dalam suatu kerangka perjanjian multilateral. Selain itu, beliau juga mengalami dinamika dalam Dewan Keamanan PBB (UNSC), yang pada tahun 2001, tidak lama setelah keanggotaan Singapura dalam UNSC diterima, sesuai abjad, Singapura langsung menjabat Presidensi UNSC setelah pada tahun sebelumnya dipegang oleh Rusia. Dinamika ini sering berkaitan dengan betapa kuatnya negara pemegang hak veto untuk mengarahkan diskusi seputar resolusi menguntungkan kepentingan mereka yang akan disahkan.

[JournalsTLY]

A personal memoir that covers the early years of Singapore’s independence from the British - seen through the eyes of a poor Sindhi boy growing up in a multi racial neighbourhood where poverty and uncertainty was common .

Then blossomed into years of geopolitics as a young singapore scholar diplomat - being with and watching the tremendous economic growth of this island nation.

Behind the scene stories .
Catchy anecdotes and tensed not-so- diplomatic encounters.

Touching accounts of miscarriages and birth at home , misunderstandings and manipulation at work .

A story of hidden personal insecurities that grew dimmer in tandem with a more secure singapore and a reflective learning lifestyle.

Two quotes from the book worth pondering over :

“the opposing views of Singapore and the United States on the UN aren't surprising. As a small state, Singapore is protected by multilateral rules and institutions. As a great power, the United States is constrained by them”

***
“While I was not fully aware of it then, the experience of war in Cambodia instinctively taught me a lesson I came to grasp later in life: wars are a result of geopolitical incompetence, peace a result of geopolitical competence. Recent wars, like the Iraq war, the Ukraine war, and the Gaza war, all confirm this”.

A book that is worth a 2nd or 3rd read .
A good book for mothers and diplomats - the home where geopolitics starts.

At the end of the book , I wish I was with Jeffery Sng to be alongside to watch this man through the years and learning alongside him - and follow the learning in the hills of Nepal and the hallways of UN.

[Richard Ebell]

Listening to the Geopolitical Cartographer’s moderated discussion with Professor Mahbubani on “Lessons for the Indian Ocean Region from East Asia” (available at https://youtube.com/watch?v=yrJopjyDW...), I was blown away by his brilliant insights and incisive delivery. I then downloaded this book and read it on Kindle.

The book is written with humility and openness in discussing his humble origins and in tracing the progress of his life and career through an increasingly significant role in Singapore’s foreign affairs. It gives many insights into the workings of Singapore’s political system and of the enormous drive and contributions of its founding fathers, Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee and S Rajaratnam.

The subtitle “An Undiplomatic Memoir” given to the book is appropriate as he speaks astonishingly openly of the low points he met as well as his successes, of the “political” resistance he met during his career, and of the superficiality of friendships when they stem from power. He says how, after being invited to join politics in Singapore, he faced hostile questioning from LYK and did not succeed. But, as in other situations, he took his mother’s advice to “put butter on his lips and smile”.

Prof Mahbubani is candid in speaking of global politics and political power, observing that power often trumps principles in global affairs. An illustration of this is seen when he, in a private interaction in the 1980s, asked Mr Netanyahu who was then Israels’s ambassador to the UN, how long Israel could fight the Arab world; the response was “This is why we have a stranglehold on the US Congress”.

[Dom]

I am in awe of Mr Mahbubani's analyses and intellect in books like "Has China Won?". I somehow wished I had not picked up this autobiography. It feels so shallow in comparison and depicts a person still searching for recognition in a way that feels so much less accomplished than his writing would suggest. Feels like a lot of namedropping and anecdotal stories that I can't quite weave into a story that shaped history. Also, I had wished and hoped to read more about his work and experiences with China. I much prefer his other books and musings to this autobiography.

Keywording
$350'000+ per citizen gvt AUM. American administrative groupthink. Asia returns. Asian superstition, transition. British subject. Buttered lips smile. Danger of localitis. Dispassionate care. Governmental recruitment: nation-building is team play. Economic conditions, determining. Education, the ignition. Insecurity boasts. Fear, the parent of cruelty. Founding Fathers, East. Geopolitics is an art, not a science. Golf and whiskey whispers. History sanitised of all its internal conflicts and drama. Lee Kwan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, S Rajaratnam. Lee-dership. Mercurial Lee KY. Meritocracy, Pragmatism and Honesty, vs Freedom, Equality and Fraternity. Opine, don't be a two-handed economist with one hand something else than on the other. Play and Work, all in, separately. Power powering the UN. Private frying, Public alignment. Qualifying phrases disqualifying progress and commitment. Rebel, nurtured as a brand. Renaissance man. Speak 13 languages but think in none. Whatever we achieve, we must not call it victory vs Trump rubbing it in.

[Sao Phal Niseiy]

I finished Kirshore's "Living the Asian Century" book within days due to its short length and captivating insights. I love how he beautifully tells his stories, hooking readers to delve into every chapter without blinking. The most interesting part I vividly remember is how the author managed to bring up many interesting personal stories, from being impoverished in the third world during the post-colonial era to being a brilliant diplomat representing and fighting to defend the tiny city-state of Singapore in the international stage and international organizations such as the United Nations. This allows readers to comprehend Singapore's political culture and meritocracy, which its founding fathers and their successors pursued. Beyond telling of his diplomatic endeavors, his memoir provides readers with essential food for thought on life, specifically preparing for the ups and downs in life.

Nonetheless, I would highlight one weakness: he frequently reiterates and stresses the vital importance of Lee Kuan Yew in almost every chapter, which may uncover another aspect of Singapore's society. Although Kishore's statements are straightforward and honest, he may have to maneuver within the limited scope of freedom of expression permitted by the Singaporean government while avoiding upsetting the establishment.

[Allison]

Living the Asian Century, an Undiplomatic Memoir is a fascinating history of Singapore told from the perspective of Kishore Mahbubani, a diplomatic from Singapore. The book begins with Mr. Mahbubani's family history covering the partition of India and the settlement of his father in Singapore. I learned so much from this book. It was interesting to learn about the different fates of the British Colonies and why Singapore has been so successful.

Mr Mahbubani covers the early days of Singapore including the temporary merger with Malaysia. His perspective is fascinating. He has the opportunity to serve as a diplomat representing Singapore in several countries including warn torn Cambodia. Eventually he makes his way to the US where he represents Singapore at the United Nations. Reading this book as an American. I gained useful insight on the perspective of small countries like Singapore, and the challenges that small countries face. I highly recommend this book and the unique perspective that it provides.

Thank you to NetGalley and Public Affairs for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Zi]

what a great book. i learned a lot about singapore/malaysia's history, the behind the scenes, and the upbringing of kishore mahbubani from poverty to a life filled with rich adventures.

through his memoir, kishore has changed how i understand public policy: before, i viewed it as simply as a field where inefficient humans talk their way to a solution; now i view public policy as an intricate, interesting, and important art that has huge, invisible ramification on the world for many years.

i am surprised to read about the many raw stories and moments in this memoir. it's a book where every paragraph is scattered with kishore's emotions and passion. no paragraphs were boring to read. each one had a fascinating story and lesson to tell, and kishore made it clear + direct.

a few qualms i have about this book: which "important person" did kishore piss off before he got demoted? how do i find and read singapore's cabinet papers that kishore praised so highly about? why has singapore not declassified them yet? perhaps these questions will remain unanswered for a long time. but that's okay.

great book nonetheless. changed how i think about asia and the west.

[Yasmeen]

His counterpart’s assessment on him sounds to be right on the part of this book, he seemed to be an internally insecure person - written in almost equal parts, self-glorifying humblebrag and self-pitying naivety. I enjoyed the parts where he discussed philosophy and the framework of thought, his snippets of the inside jokes and stories of bigger than life individuals, and his acknowledgment of the western double standards from his time at the UN Security Council. What was eye opening for me was his conclusion that power trumps principles, which was mentioned in multiple sections of the book. It definitely wasn’t undiplomatic though, unlike the title, which is a let down! Perhaps I would have enjoyed his other academic books, because he seemed to have a knack at explaining concepts - now I have an appreciation on the Karl Marl vs John Rawls idea on equality. I barely had any appreciation of the man Kishore Muhbubabi is (the high-flying diplomat, advisor and dean of a prestigious School) before this book, and given this is a memoir, I’d given him a pass on the sappiness and check out his other books.

[Ryan]

I quite enjoyed reading this book, as it added a narrative element to geopolitics. It was fascinating following Mahbubani's journey into international relations, as well as how he personally balanced both his social and professional life. My favourite was the beginning, where he shared his family background - and how it influenced him to choose the path he embarked. It was both intriguing, and inspiring.

Reading this book at no point felt like a chore, and was very easy to digest with the author's balance of real world examples and concepts in international relations.

I did feel that the book felt like an ad at certain parts of the book, where the author would advertise his other works. This was more prevalent in the last few chapters, which was a little unpleasent. However, overall it did not diminish my enjoyment of the book too much.

[Peter]

Unnecessarily brief takeaways

- understand incentives and leverage, what is the underlying logic at play behind an action, what are others trying to achieve
- know YOUR incentives before anything
- don’t underplay your hand, when you have an opportunity go for the kill
- likewise never overplay your hand
- be aware of what needs to go right for you to succeed
- it’s possible to be both a realist and an idealist; both are necessary
- even in a realist world, people matter more than you think
- GOLF is the fastest way to understand someone
- be cognizant of outshining your boss, never make them resent you because of it but also never dim your star
- have multiple motives behind each action, plan 4 steps ahead
- judge risk comprehensively, think outside the box to find asymmetric risk reward skews
- be brief, snappy, substance over fluff

[Michel Van Roozendaal]

I had read several of Kishore's earlier books (and even given "Has the West Lost It?" to my management team as summer reading in 2018). My earlier impression was that he has bold and provocative ideas, but was perhaps missing depth and subtility. Reading his memoirs I have changed my perspective completely. He has the depth and then the ability to condense his ideas into their essence; he probably learnt that as a civil servant in the demanding environment under LKY. I was amazed by what he saw, from Cambodia to New York; the array of people he met and events he witnessed, starting as a young diplomat, is fascinating. His origin story is equally special (maybe mostly for later generations) and inspiring. Well-written and very accessible memoirs.

[Jean]

I have close to no interest in geopolitics, but had given this a shot since a friend said it was an easy read, and it’s true. Mahbubani’s writing is candid, mostly unfiltered, and personal - it makes for easy reading and you’ll somehow be able to relate to his stories and understand his life journey despite having experienced none of such “once-in-a-lifetime” moments. He also generously dishes out his personal views on different topics from Singapore’s domestic politics and policies to his impressions of various political leaders (globally and domestically). I found his writing refreshing, thought I’d be hard pressed to say that this book was particularly illuminating. Still worth a read!