High Browse Online: What's the CEO of NHB reading?

Return to main page

Singapore Government Portal

« Vanessa consumes Paul Arden | Main | Multiple Choice by Claire Cook »

What's the CEO of NHB reading?

WHO'S READING WHAT . reader's recommendations

[HBeditor: We came across a feature article in TODAYonline (24 Nov 2005) where National Heritage Board CEO, Ms. Lim Siok Peng, shared two books that she's reading. We wrote to National Heritage Board (NHB) for permission to feature Ms. Lim here. The good folks at NHB say their CEO "is a tad modest and humble in nature" but gave us permission anyway. We'd like more CEOs in Singapore to blow their horns on what they're reading, don't you?]

I am currently reading two books, Marketing For Cultural Organisations by Bonita M Kolb and Barbarians by Robert Carter.

The first book has made me realise that the challenge our museums face is no different from those faced by museums in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Oak Tree Press,, Dublin : 2000.
Call No.: 700.688 KOL - [ART]
Click here for item availability.

They, too, are looking at ways to attract new audiences in the face of competing alternatives and people having less time for leisure. Another problem is declining funds. It is good to know Singapore is not alone and we can learn new ways to meet those challenges.

The second book is a historical drama set in the late 1850's and early 1860's in Qing, China.

Orion,, London : 1999.
Call No.: CAR
Click here for item availability.

It is about a British doctor searching for his father, who is a missionary. In course of this, he somehow gets embroiled in the Taiping rebellion. The book is a fascinating read.

I read for relaxation and for knowledge. I read all kinds of books - management, culture, humour, mysteries and fantasies. I read weeklies on and off. I only read ladies periodicals at the hairdressers!

By: National Heritage Board CEO, Ms. Lim Siok Peng.
Reference: "WHO'S READING WHAT", TODAYonline, Thursday, November 24, 2005.
www.todayonline.com/articles/86280.asp (Last accessed on 29 Nov 05)

Tags:
museums marketing,
China History Fiction, robert carter

Have you read those books? Do you have something to contribute?
Post your comments, or send a longer book review to HBeditor@nlb.gov.sg

Posted by Ivan Chew on November 29, 2005 05:22 PM | Permalink

TrackBack

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference What's the CEO of NHB reading?:

» Walter Lim read 'Now My Advertising Works' by Jim Aitchison from High Browse Online
[HBeditor: Quite soon after we posted what the NHB CEO's reading, their corporate comms director, Mr. Walter Lim, asked if he could contribute the following review. Sure thing!]] I just finished reading "No... [Read More]

Comments

Disclaimer

NLB does not endorse the comments and views of the participants on these webpages. NLB unconditionally disclaims all liability and damages for any and all defamatory comments and materials posted by individual commentators

After I posted this, I had a quick look at "Marketing For Cultural Organisations". Much of the book applies to the library as well, since the library is another form of cultural institution. What's unexpected was I understood better the challenges that National Heritage Board could be facing. I now better appreciate its role and the value of our heritage organisations. Will be more conscious to lend support to their activities.

Posted by: Ivan Chew | November 30, 2005 12:03 PM

Disclaimer

NLB does not endorse the comments and views of the participants on these webpages. NLB unconditionally disclaims all liability and damages for any and all defamatory comments and materials posted by individual commentators

Though not entirely about museums, this new Australian blog is a space for open dialogue on museums, objects, design and exhibitions. The name of the website is m.o.d.e, museums.objects.design.exhibitions.

Posted by: Isaak | November 30, 2005 12:03 PM

Disclaimer

NLB does not endorse the comments and views of the participants on these webpages. NLB unconditionally disclaims all liability and damages for any and all defamatory comments and materials posted by individual commentators

Personally, I find the Taiping rebellion one of the most interesting social upheavals in the history of modern China. It sort of reminds me of our current world's politico-religio climate, a "Western vs. Non-Western countries" kind of clash...but 'twas only internal then. A similar backdrop can be found in a novel for younger readers, entitled "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom" - also dealing with the Taiping Rebellion through the eyes of a young boy rescued from slavery and indoctrinated into the Taiping Tienkuo, aka "Kingdom of Heavenly Peace" society. I read it while in my teens - attempting to justify the rebellious nature of youngsters like myself to my cannot-be-fooled parents. On hindsight, a thought crosses my mind now: Were these "freedom revolutionaries" considered terrorists in their time?

Anyhow, there is an ongoing terrorism exhibition at the Central Lending Library, and I don't see the Taiping Rebellion slated there...So, I guess it's not.

Posted by: Wai Ling | November 30, 2005 06:11 PM

Disclaimer

NLB does not endorse the comments and views of the participants on these webpages. NLB unconditionally disclaims all liability and damages for any and all defamatory comments and materials posted by individual commentators

Hi Wai Ling: "...Were these 'freedom revolutionaries' considered terrorists in their time?" - Going by how terrorism is defined, it would seem so. I'm sure the ruling class of the day consider them as such, except the term "terrorist" wasn't used. Other questions to think about: "Were their revolutionary activities justified? Could they have tried other means for change?".

Posted by: Ivan Chew | December 1, 2005 04:03 PM

Disclaimer

NLB does not endorse the comments and views of the participants on these webpages. NLB unconditionally disclaims all liability and damages for any and all defamatory comments and materials posted by individual commentators

There's a Chinese saying which goes "Sheng zhe wei wang, bai zhe wei kou" (loosely translated as "Victors are kings, and losers bandits"). So I guess history will judge who will eventually be branded as terrorists, or freedom fighters.

Posted by: Pei Siang | December 5, 2005 04:15 PM

Disclaimer

NLB does not endorse the comments and views of the participants on these webpages. NLB unconditionally disclaims all liability and damages for any and all defamatory comments and materials posted by individual commentators

It's what you personally believe in, also. When I went to Central Lending's terrorism exhibition - it sorta struck me that Nelson Mandela also used violence as a means to an end - but I don't think anybody would say that he's a 'terrorist'.

Posted by: Lee Ping | December 6, 2005 08:52 AM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

What is one plus one? (required):

Disclaimer

NLB reserves the exclusive right to edit, alter and make the final decision on all the comments posted herein.

NLB does not undertake to post all / any of the comments at all.

NLB disclaims all legal liabilities for all / any comments posted, which is authored by the user