Each chapter is no more than 5 pages long and is a wonderful read in between waiting for someone, or riding on the bus or train, or in-between TV commercials. This in no way denigrates the book nor its contents. I found every chapter absorbing as Mr Nathan describe an episode in his life. The most surprising, for me, was the account of him running away from home, and not just for a day or two in a fit of anger only to return soon after. You see, Mr Nathan was accused of stealing, thrown out of school, whence he decided, at the age of 16, to run away. That was just before the Japanese invaded Malaya. Malaya was still a British colony. You don't need a passport to travel from Singapore town/state to another state in Malaya. Mr Nathan ran away from Singapore to Muar, Johor, where he grew up as a child. Soon the Japanese occupied Malaya. How did such a runaway teenager live through the war years, become a Seaman's Welfare Officer and thence to the newly independent Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he served as Ambassador to Malaysia and later, to the US, all before he became the President of Singapore?
Pick up this book for the fascinating accounts.
Postscript: Former President, S.R. Nathan passed away on 22 August 2016 the Singapore General Hospital, with family and friends present. Mr Nathan was 92 years old. Rest in peace, Mr Nathan. A nation is grateful for your years of dedicated service to Singapore.
