Book of essays by those who knew Lee Kuan Yew well launched

Singapore

A NEW book that delves into the personal side of Singapore's late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew goes on sale islandwide on Wednesday, exactly a week before the country marks the first anniversary of his death.

The 328-page paperback was launched at the City Hall Chamber of the National Gallery, the same venue where Mr Lee - who died on March 23 last year at the age of 91 - was sworn in as the country's first prime minister in 1959.

The book, titled Up Close With Lee Kuan Yew, is a collection of 37 essays penned by some of his closest colleagues and friends, including all 13 of his principal…