Standing Tall

Some did not expect him to last long as Prime Minister. Few predicted he would succeed in the footsteps of Lee Kuan Yew. When Goh Chok Tong took over as the second Prime Minister of Singapore in 1990, many — from within and without the country — wondered aloud if the young country would survive Lee Kuan Yew.

But Goh would confound the naysayers, leading Singapore for 14 years through recessions, terrorist attacks, electoral setbacks and even a mysterious virus. Standing Tall captures the transformation of a political leader, evolving from a Prime Minister with a touch of naïvety to a hard-nosed strategist. He would introduce some of the country's most controversial policies, including the foreign talent scheme and formula for ministerial salaries, while advancing a kinder and gentler Singapore with the likes of MediFund and Edusave.

The unchartered post-Cold War world which Goh stepped into posed challenges to the new leader, yet he not only cemented but also expanded Singapore's global space and stature. Along the way, he overcame hurdles from Bill Clinton's administration, exchanged quips with Nelson Mandela, and even saved Li Peng from a possibly severe heart attack.

This sequel is written by author and journalist Peh Shing Huei, who also penned Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story, Volume 1. Through interviews and access to People's Action Party documents and Goh's notes, this authorised biography uncovers rare insights into Singapore politics. Standing Tall tells the untold story of the Goh Chok Tong years, as he continues with Singapore's transformation into a global city.

Bundle set: The Goh Chok Tong Story (Volumes 1 & 2)

Chinese Version:
登高望远：吴作栋传 (第二辑)
吴作栋传 (两册)

Related Link(s)

• Some snippets of the book reviews and articles on Standing Tall: The Goh Chok Tong Years (Volume 2).
• ESM Goh on his friendship with Tan Cheng Bock & why he supported reserved presidency
• Goh Chok Tong to fellow S'poreans: Give the 4G team 'some time' to decide their first among equals
• Catherine Lim was 'looking forward' to meeting Goh Chok Tong, but had to stay home due to medical reasons
• PM Lee: 'No better template' for choosing next PM than ESM Goh & his team's formula
• Goh Chok Tong would 'love to meet' Catherine Lim, 27 years on from 'The Catherine Lim Affair'
• Behind-the-scenes: The man who spent 70 hours speaking with Goh Chok Tong at the Istana

• Foreword by Goh Chok Tong
• Introduction
• A Rocky Start:
  • Good Night, Good Luck, Good Job
  • Snapped Election
  • Double Double Whammy
  • Heal the Pain
• Drawing a Line:
  • Rising Tide Lifts (Some) Boats
  • To Not Be Mediocre
  • The Story of Chok and Cat
  • Tiger Oil House of Jade
  • Unquiet Mountain
• The Millennium Buck:
  • Asian Financial Crisis
  • The Second Long March
  • One Main Regret
  • Ichigo Ichie
  • Great Small Nation
• To the Highlands:
  • When the Year Ends in One
  • Sejahtera Bersama
  • The Invisible Enemy
  • From the Valley to the Highlands
• Reflections by Goh Chok Tong:
  • Afterword by Goh Chok Tong
  • Acknowledgements by Peh Shing Huei
  • Photo Credits
  • Index