Footprint Singapore Handbook

Great history and background. A little critical of the so-called Singapore Miracle -- but that is not a stance without merit. (After all, it's the most successful totalitarian state on the planet!) Note that this second edition was written in 2000, and is missing some important details (like the fact that there is a Chinatown stop on the MRT these days; or the fact that the Chinese Heritage museum has been completely re-done as a multimedia experience akin to the Asian Civilizations Museum -- and while a little hokey is quite effective at communicating the history of the Chinese experience in Singapore; etc.)Definitely more meat to this guidebook than most.

In planning my trip to Singapore, I found this book had everything I wanted to know. It gave an excellent overview of hotels and restaurants. I liked how it focused on the different areas of downtown Singapore and the background/history section was great.