A review of Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs covering his transformation of Singapore from third-world city-state to wealthy nation through pragmatic policies, framed as a 'rationalist power fantasy' of someone who successfully implemented sensible governance. Longer summary

This is a review of Lee Kuan Yew's two-volume memoirs covering his life from childhood through 25 years as Prime Minister of Singapore. The first book follows his path from middle-class teenager through WWII Japanese occupation, law school in England, rise in anticolonial politics, and Singapore's complex journey to independence. The second book details how he transformed Singapore from a poor third-world city-state with no natural resources into one of the world's richest countries through pragmatic economic policy, military buildup, massive public housing programs, anti-corruption campaigns, and ruthless focus on stability. The review frames Lee as a 'rationalist power fantasy' - someone who actually succeeded at implementing sensible policies and having them work, while also exploring questions about authoritarianism, his relationship with the decline of the British Empire, and comparisons to figures like Thomas Jefferson and Deng Xiaoping. Shorter summary

A review of 'The Outlier' by Kai Bird, examining Jimmy Carter's life and presidency, highlighting his unconventional approach and mixed legacy. Longer summary

This book review explores 'The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter' by Kai Bird, offering a detailed look at Carter's life and presidency. The review covers Carter's early life, his rise to power, his time as president, and the challenges he faced. It highlights Carter's unconventional approach to politics, his successes in foreign policy (like the Camp David Accords), and his struggles with domestic issues and the economy. The review also discusses Carter's defeat by Ronald Reagan and reflects on the lessons that can be drawn from Carter's presidency. The reviewer finds the book informative but ultimately unsatisfying in its attempt to fully explain Carter as a person. Shorter summary