Lion City Narratives is a study of Western impressions of Singapore during its nearly 145 years (1819–1963) of colonial history. This biography of Singapore’s evolution as a city captures the visible forms or appearance of its landscape, and its ability to evoke strong images in the minds of observers. In doing so it also provides a holistic perspective of the island’s developmental dynamics. Its account of cultural insights into the Asian population, by both White residents and transient visitors, opens a window onto Singapore’s growth at a time when the West was at its zenith. The book shows how colonial era views were linked inextricably to Singapore being an archetypal trading emporium between East and West, and a prized global fulcrum point amongst the British imperial possessions. Finally, this comprehensive survey of Western narratives is set within a broader academic and political discourse, allowing the reader a wider picture of Singapore’s colonial development.