A former newspaper reporter, Jim Tranquada is director of
communications for Occidental College in Los Angeles. He is a
great-great grandson of ‘ukulele pioneer Augusto Dias.
The late John King was widely acknowledged as one of the
modern masters of the ‘ukulele. He taught guitar at Eckerd College
in St. Petersburg, Florida, was a contributor to Soundboard, the
journal of the Guitar Foundation of America, and is the author of
The Hawaiian ‘Ukulele and Guitar Makers: 1884–1930.
If any recent work is a labor of love, this is it. The authors
clearly have a great fondness for the ‘ukulele, and they have
written a cultural history of an instrument of which probably few
historians... had previous knowledge. They demonstrate decisively
that there is a lot more to the 'ukulele than one could possibly
have imagined, and an inquiry into its past reveals much about
political, economic, and cultural trends in Hawai'i and its often
troubled relationship with the mainland... [T]here is much to
admire in a book that gives the ‘ukulele its proper due and thereby
makes a fine contribution to cultural history.- Pacific Historical
Review;
”[T]he ‘ukulele is presented in its many historical and social
contexts, and given unprecedented historical depth that is by turns
both wryly amusing and genuinely inspiring. . . . This book is a
remarkable tribute to the scholarship and musicological drive of
the two authors, and to the determination of Tranquada in ensuring
the book reached publication.”- Journal of New Zealand and Pacific
Studies;
“This is the outstanding scholarly work on the history of the
ukulele. The result of seven years' research and study, it is
painstakingly notated and sourced.”- The Ukulele Handbook by Gavin
Pretor-Pinney and Tom Hodgkinson;
“For ‘ukulele enthusiasts, [this book] is a must read.”-
Choice;
“A fascinating musical and social history that not only supports
Tranquada and King’s argument for a rehabilitation of the
instrument’s image, but also sets the stage for a full-scale
‘ukulele revival.”- Foreword;
“Those unfamiliar with the history of the instrument will learn a
tremendous amount here… Though neither author is an academic, their
scholarship is impressive. They include 85 pages of appendixes and
footnotes to satisfy more ambitious fans. Verdict: The book’s
chapters make for quick, enjoyable reading for a general audience.
Recommended for any comprehensive music collection (and, really,
for any popular music collection).”- Library Journal Xpress
Reviews;
“The authors have produced the most thoroughly documented history
of the ‘ukulele.”- Byron K. Yasui, professor emeritus, Department
of Music, University of Hawai‘i
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