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A matter of duty: a memoir of my time in the Singapore Armed Forces (1967–1982)
Tiong, Tan Chin
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
, 2025
; English
; 205 Pages
“A Matter of Duty needs to be required reading for all SAF officers and MINDEF professional staff. It is a lively, candid, engaging and, at times, surprising memoir that explains how the formative years were used to turn bits and pieces into a comprehensive and organised armed forces that are now a core institution of the country in an astonishingly short time. The array of different challenges and problems that had to be overcome to give Singapore the robust deterrent it now has will inform all readers, and surprise many, and no stone is left unturned herein. One hopes that the current and future generations of their successors tackle their duty with the same resolve displayed by Tan Chin Tiong and the mentor who called his generation to duty, the father of the SAF, Dr Goh Keng Swee.” —Brian Farrell, Professor of Military History at the History Department, National University of Singapore, and author of The Defence and Fall of Singapore “Many books have been written about Goh Keng Swee, but none were about his work in the Ministry of Defence, where he raised the SAF almost from scratch, starting with only two infantry battalions in 1967. This book breaks the trend as it provides a captivating account of Dr Goh’s monumental work in the SAF’s early military history as seen through the eyes of Tan Chin Tiong, the prototype soldier-scholar who answered the call of duty to assist him in the endeavour. Mr Tan highlights in readable prose how numerous Singapore and SAF institutions, policies, and practices familiar to our citizens and national servicemen bear the personal and farsighted imprint of Dr Goh. This book is recommended reading for all those who serve in the SAF.” —Kumar Ramakrishna, Professor and Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. Author of Extremist Islam: Recognition and Response in Southeast Asia “The author writes with clarity as well as with authority and candour. Drawing on his extensive personal involvement, he provides fresh insights into many aspects of the development of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) between the late 1960s and the early ‘80s under the ministerial leadership of Dr Goh Keng Swee. Among the many facets that he discusses are the development of the SAF command structure
the crucial influence of Israeli as well as German military advisors on the young SAF’s organisation, doctrine and training
the origins of SAF Armour
the early phases of the SAF’s overseas training arrangements with other countries
and the establishment of the Singapore Civil Defence Force. This book should contribute significantly to understanding how the SAF developed and came to play such a successful role in assuring Singapore’s security. It will be of interest not just within the local, regional and international expert communities concerned with Singapore’s defence, security and civil-military relations, but also to those who have served in the SAF.” —Tim Huxley, author of Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore “This compelling autobiographical account offers an insider’s view on the formative years of the Singapore Armed Forces. Through the eyes of someone who stood at the frontlines of institution-building, the book captures the vision, resolve, and ingenuity that led to the making of a modern military in a new nation-state. Clearly written, with vivid storytelling and useful historical context, the author reveals the journey that shaped a young nation’s endeavours in building up a citizen-led defence force almost from scratch. The book’s key themes highlight the close civil-military relationship that is quite unique to the Singapore experience. The author, who transitioned from the Administrative Service to play a significant role as a senior military officer from 1967 to 1982, details the outsized and pivotal part played by Singapore’s first Defence Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, a civilian political leader with no professional military background, in the establishment of the armed forces. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, leadership studies, and the contemporary history of Singapore.” — Tan Tai Yong, President, Singapore University of Social Sciences. Author of Creating “Greater Malaysia”: Decolonization and the Politics of Merger
Tiong, Tan Chin
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
, 2025
; English
; 205 Pages
“A Matter of Duty needs to be required reading for all SAF officers and MINDEF professional staff. It is a lively, candid, engaging and, at times, surprising memoir that explains how the formative years were used to turn bits and pieces into a comprehensive and organised armed forces that are now a core institution of the country in an astonishingly short time. The array of different challenges and problems that had to be overcome to give Singapore the robust deterrent it now has will inform all readers, and surprise many, and no stone is left unturned herein. One hopes that the current and future generations of their successors tackle their duty with the same resolve displayed by Tan Chin Tiong and the mentor who called his generation to duty, the father of the SAF, Dr Goh Keng Swee.” —Brian Farrell, Professor of Military History at the History Department, National University of Singapore, and author of The Defence and Fall of Singapore “Many books have been written about Goh Keng Swee, but none were about his work in the Ministry of Defence, where he raised the SAF almost from scratch, starting with only two infantry battalions in 1967. This book breaks the trend as it provides a captivating account of Dr Goh’s monumental work in the SAF’s early military history as seen through the eyes of Tan Chin Tiong, the prototype soldier-scholar who answered the call of duty to assist him in the endeavour. Mr Tan highlights in readable prose how numerous Singapore and SAF institutions, policies, and practices familiar to our citizens and national servicemen bear the personal and farsighted imprint of Dr Goh. This book is recommended reading for all those who serve in the SAF.” —Kumar Ramakrishna, Professor and Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. Author of Extremist Islam: Recognition and Response in Southeast Asia “The author writes with clarity as well as with authority and candour. Drawing on his extensive personal involvement, he provides fresh insights into many aspects of the development of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) between the late 1960s and the early ‘80s under the ministerial leadership of Dr Goh Keng Swee. Among the many facets that he discusses are the development of the SAF command structure
the crucial influence of Israeli as well as German military advisors on the young SAF’s organisation, doctrine and training
the origins of SAF Armour
the early phases of the SAF’s overseas training arrangements with other countries
and the establishment of the Singapore Civil Defence Force. This book should contribute significantly to understanding how the SAF developed and came to play such a successful role in assuring Singapore’s security. It will be of interest not just within the local, regional and international expert communities concerned with Singapore’s defence, security and civil-military relations, but also to those who have served in the SAF.” —Tim Huxley, author of Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore “This compelling autobiographical account offers an insider’s view on the formative years of the Singapore Armed Forces. Through the eyes of someone who stood at the frontlines of institution-building, the book captures the vision, resolve, and ingenuity that led to the making of a modern military in a new nation-state. Clearly written, with vivid storytelling and useful historical context, the author reveals the journey that shaped a young nation’s endeavours in building up a citizen-led defence force almost from scratch. The book’s key themes highlight the close civil-military relationship that is quite unique to the Singapore experience. The author, who transitioned from the Administrative Service to play a significant role as a senior military officer from 1967 to 1982, details the outsized and pivotal part played by Singapore’s first Defence Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, a civilian political leader with no professional military background, in the establishment of the armed forces. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, leadership studies, and the contemporary history of Singapore.” — Tan Tai Yong, President, Singapore University of Social Sciences. Author of Creating “Greater Malaysia”: Decolonization and the Politics of Merger
eBook
Science and humanity : the extraordinary life of Joseph H Hamilton
Feng, Da Hsuan; Riley, Mark A; Riedinger, Lee L; Brantley, William H
World Scientific
, 2025
; English
; 376 Pages
Joseph H Hamilton is a world-leading nuclear physicist and the Landon C Garland Distinguished Professor of Physics at Vanderbilt University. He retired in 2022 after 64 years on the faculty and a career of major contributions in research, education, formation of collaborations, and construction of new facilities. His influence on the field of nuclear physics has been enormous and his mentorship of new talent profound. Starting from early life in a depression-era small town, he built a long and highly successful career in science and even in the interface between science and religion with extensive writings and lectures. Some of Hamilton's colleagues have summarized in this book his major scientific discoveries, his development of new physics consortia and facilities, teaching of undergraduates, mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and devotion to building collaborations across the US, Europe, and Asia. He has published over a thousand scientific papers and is known for seminal contributions in a variety of important areas in nuclear science. One major discovery has been the co-existence of very different shapes in a single nucleus, once thought impossible and which has led to significant new insights into the fascinating quantum world of the atomic nucleus. Another was the discovery of element 117, as he led the formation of the consortium to perform these difficult measurements and then suggested the name adopted for this new element, Tennessine. This book includes his own summary on a remarkable career and the heartfelt comments of people that have so greatly benefited from his work and partnership. All together, these chapters will show future generations what it means and what is needed to become a great scientist as well as an incredible human being.
Feng, Da Hsuan; Riley, Mark A; Riedinger, Lee L; Brantley, William H
World Scientific
, 2025
; English
; 376 Pages
Joseph H Hamilton is a world-leading nuclear physicist and the Landon C Garland Distinguished Professor of Physics at Vanderbilt University. He retired in 2022 after 64 years on the faculty and a career of major contributions in research, education, formation of collaborations, and construction of new facilities. His influence on the field of nuclear physics has been enormous and his mentorship of new talent profound. Starting from early life in a depression-era small town, he built a long and highly successful career in science and even in the interface between science and religion with extensive writings and lectures. Some of Hamilton's colleagues have summarized in this book his major scientific discoveries, his development of new physics consortia and facilities, teaching of undergraduates, mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and devotion to building collaborations across the US, Europe, and Asia. He has published over a thousand scientific papers and is known for seminal contributions in a variety of important areas in nuclear science. One major discovery has been the co-existence of very different shapes in a single nucleus, once thought impossible and which has led to significant new insights into the fascinating quantum world of the atomic nucleus. Another was the discovery of element 117, as he led the formation of the consortium to perform these difficult measurements and then suggested the name adopted for this new element, Tennessine. This book includes his own summary on a remarkable career and the heartfelt comments of people that have so greatly benefited from his work and partnership. All together, these chapters will show future generations what it means and what is needed to become a great scientist as well as an incredible human being.
eBook
陳順勝
獨立作家
, 2024
; Traditional Chinese
; 304 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
陳順勝
獨立作家
, 2024
; Traditional Chinese
; 304 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
Ruggiers, Paul G.; Ruggiers, Paul G.
University of California Press
, 2024
; English
; 143 Pages
This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1954.
Ruggiers, Paul G.; Ruggiers, Paul G.
University of California Press
, 2024
; English
; 143 Pages
This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1954.
eBook
The man who saved geometry : the multidimensional mind of Daniel Coxeter
Roberts, Siobhan
Princeton University Press
, 2024
; English
; 417 Pages
Driven by a profound love of shapes and symmetries, Donald Coxeter (1907–2003) preserved the tradition of classical geometry when it was under attack by influential mathematicians who promoted a more algebraic and austere approach. His essential contributions include the famed Coxeter groups and Coxeter diagrams, tools developed through his deep understanding of mathematical symmetry. The Man Who Saved Geometry tells the story of Coxeter’s life and work, placing him alongside history’s greatest geometers, from Pythagoras and Plato to Archimedes and Euclid—and it reveals how Coxeter’s boundless creativity reflects the adventurous, ever-evolving nature of geometry itself. With an incisive, touching foreword by Douglas R. Hofstadter, The Man Who Saved Geometry is an unforgettable portrait of a visionary mathematician.
Roberts, Siobhan
Princeton University Press
, 2024
; English
; 417 Pages
Driven by a profound love of shapes and symmetries, Donald Coxeter (1907–2003) preserved the tradition of classical geometry when it was under attack by influential mathematicians who promoted a more algebraic and austere approach. His essential contributions include the famed Coxeter groups and Coxeter diagrams, tools developed through his deep understanding of mathematical symmetry. The Man Who Saved Geometry tells the story of Coxeter’s life and work, placing him alongside history’s greatest geometers, from Pythagoras and Plato to Archimedes and Euclid—and it reveals how Coxeter’s boundless creativity reflects the adventurous, ever-evolving nature of geometry itself. With an incisive, touching foreword by Douglas R. Hofstadter, The Man Who Saved Geometry is an unforgettable portrait of a visionary mathematician.
eBook
Genius at play : the curious mind of John Horton Conway
Roberts, Siobhan
Princeton University Press
, 2024
; English
; 545 Pages
A multifaceted biography of a brilliant mathematician and iconoclast
A mathematician unlike any other, John Horton Conway (1937–2020) possessed a rock star's charisma, a polymath's promiscuous curiosity, and a sly sense of humor. Conway found fame as a barefoot professor at Cambridge, where he discovered the Conway groups in mathematical symmetry and the aptly named surreal numbers. He also invented the cult classic Game of Life, a cellular automaton that demonstrates how simplicity generates complexity—and provides an analogy for mathematics and the entire universe. Moving to Princeton in 1987, Conway used ropes, dice, pennies, coat hangers, and the occasional Slinky to illustrate his winning imagination and share his nerdish delights. Genius at Play tells the story of this ambassador-at-large for the beauties and joys of mathematics, lays bare Conway's personal and professional idiosyncrasies, and offers an intimate look into the mind of one of the twentieth century's most endearing and original intellectuals.
Roberts, Siobhan
Princeton University Press
, 2024
; English
; 545 Pages
A multifaceted biography of a brilliant mathematician and iconoclast
A mathematician unlike any other, John Horton Conway (1937–2020) possessed a rock star's charisma, a polymath's promiscuous curiosity, and a sly sense of humor. Conway found fame as a barefoot professor at Cambridge, where he discovered the Conway groups in mathematical symmetry and the aptly named surreal numbers. He also invented the cult classic Game of Life, a cellular automaton that demonstrates how simplicity generates complexity—and provides an analogy for mathematics and the entire universe. Moving to Princeton in 1987, Conway used ropes, dice, pennies, coat hangers, and the occasional Slinky to illustrate his winning imagination and share his nerdish delights. Genius at Play tells the story of this ambassador-at-large for the beauties and joys of mathematics, lays bare Conway's personal and professional idiosyncrasies, and offers an intimate look into the mind of one of the twentieth century's most endearing and original intellectuals.
eBook
台灣人．台灣事——《民報》人物選集（二）：學術、文學、音樂與藝術
沈聰榮; 蘇振明
獨立作家
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 288 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
沈聰榮; 蘇振明
獨立作家
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 288 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
台灣人．台灣事——《民報》人物選集（一）：政治、經濟、社會與體育
沈聰榮; 蘇振明
獨立作家
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 274 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
沈聰榮; 蘇振明
獨立作家
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 274 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
呂慧
獨立作家
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 346 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
呂慧
獨立作家
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 346 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
呂芳上; 劉維開; 黃克武; 蘇聖雄; 徐丞億; 林齊國; 陳三井
秀威出版
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 138 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
eBook
呂芳上; 劉維開; 黃克武; 蘇聖雄; 徐丞億; 林齊國; 陳三井
秀威出版
, 2023
; Traditional Chinese
; 138 Pages
There is no abstract available for this title.
