HISTORY buffs rejoice: A book that captures Singapore's dramatic evolution over the past 50 years is set to hit stores on Friday.

The book, titled Chronicle of Singapore, covers Singapore's history from 1959 to 2009, with stories drawn mainly from The Straits Times. Events covered include the PAP's landslide victory in 1959, the setting of a nationwide curfew in July 1964 during the Prophet Muhammad birthday riots, the Hotel New World collapse in 1986 and the Sars infection in 2003.

And to give the book a twist, the stories are told in newspaper format, complete with more than 1,300 images that depict the gripping scenes.

Chronicle of Singapore also covers less weighty but significant aspects of local life, going into events such as the no chewing gum rule implemented in 1992 and the jailing and caning of vandal Michael Fay in 1994.

On top of all this, there are summaries of sometimes controversial commentaries about Singapore by the foreign media.

Another unique feature of the book is a timeline of regional and international news events that runs alongside the local happenings to provide context.

A total of $30,000 from the book's sale will be donated to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund - a fund that helps children from financially strapped families stay at school to continue their education.

Singapore Press Holdings is a major sponsor of the book.