'Ukulele

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