Singapore bicentennial: An island’s journey

10 books on Singapore

The Sunday Times picks works on the Republic's history that you can read to impress party guests

New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

• Silverfish Books/207 pages/National Library call number English 959.51 SEJ

That story about Sang Nila Utama and the lion sighting that inspired the name Singapura? This is the source. While there has been some debate about historical accuracy, this is one of the most important texts about the origins of the Malacca Sultanate. The pages describing royal marriages are intended to establish the divine rights of rulers, but what makes it an engaging read are the fables. Some stories are familiar to Singaporeans, such as the tale of the swordfish attack. But it is the lesser known myths that will engage contemporary readers.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on January 27, 2019, with the headline 10 books on Singapore . Subscribe