Wang Gungwu Book order

Professor Wang Gungwu is the Institute of Policy Studies' 12th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. This book is an edited collection of his four IPS-Nathan Lectures, delivered from November 2022 to March 2023, and includes highlights of his question-and-answer segments with our audience.The Southeast Asian region is home to a set of diverse local cultures and distinct local identities. In this lecture series, Professor Wang looks at how great civilisations came into contact with our region and shaped its local identities and cultures. Being at the centre of Southeast Asia, Singapore's national identity and development have also been moulded by great ancient civilisations, namely the Indic, Sinic and Islamic. Later on, the idea of modernity brought about by Christian European civilisation greatly impacted our region. Understanding the history of Singapore from this perspective will give us insight to how the country's modern identity is being shaped and enable us to better understand our region's place in the modern world order.The IPS-Nathan Lecture series was launched in 2014 as part of the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore, named after Singapore's sixth and longest-serving president. It seeks to advance public understanding and discussion of issues of critical national interest for Singapore.

The book features a collection of four lectures by Professor Wang Gungwu, focusing on Singapore's policy studies, delivered between November 2022 and March 2023. It includes insights from the lectures along with engaging question-and-answer segments with the audience, providing a deeper understanding of the topics discussed. This edited compilation showcases Professor Wang's expertise and contributions to the discourse on Singaporean policies.

Wang Gungwu has held positions in universities around the world. This second volume of his memoirs, written with his wife Margaret, is a fascinating reflection on identity and belonging, and on the ability of the individual to find a place amidst the historical currents that have shaped Asia and the world.

Focusing on China's evolving self-assurance, the book explores the nation's desire to assimilate knowledge from the developed world while reflecting on historical elements essential for constructing a modern civilization. It highlights China's awareness of the challenges posed by the United States and its strategic efforts to navigate the dynamics of a superpower intent on maintaining its global dominance.

Exploring the post-World War II era, this collection of essays reflects on the complexities of identity and heritage in Malaysia and Singapore, known as Nanyang. It delves into the social and political divisions that arose during Southeast Asia's decolonization and examines the challenges of nation-building amid the Cold War. The narratives highlight the resilience of the Chinese community as they transitioned from the turmoil of the 1940s and the impacts of the Maoist revolution, ultimately contributing to China's emergence as a global powerhouse.

One of Asia's most important public intellectuals, Wang Gungwu is best-known for his explorations of Chinese history in the long view, and for his writings on the Chinese overseas. In this book the historian of grand themes turns to the intimate scale of a single life history: his own.

This insightful 2003 account explores the complex dynamics between China and imperial Britain, delving into historical interactions and cultural exchanges. It offers a nuanced analysis of the political, economic, and social factors that shaped their relationship, shedding light on the implications of imperialism and the legacy it left behind. Through a detailed examination of key events and figures, the book reveals the intricacies of this pivotal period in history.

The book features a series of interviews with Professor Wang Gungwu, highlighting his insights as a prominent historian and public intellectual. It explores his experiences as a Chinese individual in Malaya, his perspectives on significant historical events like the Vietnam War, and the geopolitical dynamics involving China, Taiwan, Japan, and India. Additionally, it includes a personal interview with his wife, Margaret, and scholarly discussions on his contributions, along with his curriculum vitae and a select bibliography of his works.

This collection contains an introductory essay by Wang Gungwu and 22 studies originally read to an international conference organized by the Department of History, National University of Singapore. The contributions investigate diverse aspects of coastal China’s commercial, demographic and other ties with the Nanyang region and other maritime areas, such as Japan, mainly in the period circa 1750–1850. This includes themes related to the microlevel of local changes, such as Chinese migration to Taiwan and various Southeast Asian destinations, as well as broader approaches to regional, institutional and other trends, combining philological and theoretical knowledge. In most cases both Asian and colonial sources were used to illustrate the dynamics of China’s maritime orientation under the Qing, the growth of its overseas communities, and the impact of Chinese traders and sojourners on Europe’s outposts in the Malay world and around the South China Sea.

Focusing on the nuanced interactions between China and imperial Britain, the study delves into both the potential and constraints of their relationship. It moves beyond common narratives of conflict and diplomacy to explore more personal connections, highlighting the emergence of a shared English-speaking future. Wang Gungwu's work offers a deeper understanding of these complex encounters, revealing layers of engagement that shaped historical ties between the two nations.