In this riveting diary, a prominent politician and diplomat records the transformation of the Republic of Singapore from a poor colony into an Asian powerhouse. Growing up in poverty in the 1950s, Kishore Mahbubani never expected to become a government minister, but a state scholarship led him to the University of Singapore. Against all odds, four years later he found himself in the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During this period, Singapore was undergoing a remarkable transformation. Gaining autonomy in 1959 and full independence six years later, the country matured alongside Mahbubani. As his career took off, so did his country.

In "Living the Asian Century," Mahbubani vividly describes his life, from his impoverished childhood in a multicultural neighborhood to a brilliant diplomatic career that took him far from Singapore, from Cambodia to Australia, Malaysia, the United States, and the UN, including top influence in the Security Council.

Along the way, Mahbubani became one of Asia's most renowned analysts and representatives, with a unique perspective embracing India, China, and the West.