Book excerpt: In the 50th anniversary year of Singapore's independence, it is timely to trace our developmental journey in order that young Singaporeans students, visiting tourists and foreigners working in Singapore may be informed about why and how Singapore succeeded, despite tremendous odds. The two volumes relate the developmental stories and secrets of Singapore, so that other developing countries can be inspired to achieve their own successes. It is a story worth telling, so that the great achievements by our Pioneer Generation will be recorded, and which may serve as an inspiration to the younger generations to guide them for the next 50 years.