Book review: Remembering the ‘first fools’ who made Singapore what it is today

While some anecdotes – such as Lee Kuan Yew as a devoted husband – may already be familiar, others are less often told. The lives and sacrifices of Goh Keng Swee, E.W. Barker, Othman Wok and Ong Pang Boon, among others, are given a fresh perspective in this volume.

What makes the book especially compelling is how it captures the personal side of Singapore’s founding leaders. Beyond their public achievements, we get to explore their private choices, challenges and vulnerabilities that defined them. At times, it almost feels as if these men are recounting their stories directly to the reader.

As a journalist, I found the section on Lim Kim San particularly poignant, especially his years as executive chairman of SPH. It was a reminder that history is not only about policies or institutions but also about the individuals who shouldered heavy responsibilities during times of change.

Ultimately, The First Fools underscores the importance of memory. By humanising the pioneers who helped build the nation – including Toh Chin Chye, S. Rajaratnam, Yong Nyuk Lin, Lim Kim San and Jek Yeun Thong – this book ensures their stories will not be forgotten.