Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #289432 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 111 pages

From Library Journal
Often seen as a toy instrument, the ukulele has nonetheless influenced the pop music landscape. Bilboard editor Beloff offers an entertaining look at this whimsical, diminutive instrument and an elaborate showcase of rare ukuleles, famous players and manufacturers, and witty memorabilia and artwork. He traces the instrument's evolution from its 19th-century roots to current ukulele festivals in Hawaii and beyond. Splashed with bright illustrations and 200 photographs, the book entices fans of musical instruments and pop culture alike to follow the ukulele from Hawaii to the mainland, where the island craze and "uke" fad began in 1915. Also included are reference lists of ukulele song titles, method/songbooks, and essential recordings as well as a resource guide. Well written and enjoyable, this book will have library patrons tiptoeing through the tulips. The only book of its kind available, it is highly recommended.?Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., Providence
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Miller Freeman's musical-instrument showcases are all nifty, none more so than Beloff's tribute to the four-string device that is an indelible emblem of Hawaii. The uke, known as the braguinha in its native Madeira, arrived at the island paradise in the nineteenth century. The Hawaiian royal family took a shine to it; eventually, the tourists did, too; and the rest Beloff relays in chapters on uke history, on great players (including reigning virtuoso Ohta-San, 1920s pop singer Cliff Edwards [later the voice of Jiminy Cricket], British music hall superstar George Formby, early TV star Arthur Godfrey, and, yes, the late Tiny Tim), and on uke manufacturers and their wares. The text is dandy, and the pictures, snazzily laid out and all in color, of ukes, uke players, and uke paraphernalia make this picture-on-every-page album one of the most eyeballable (so to speak) books around. Ray Olson

Ingram
From its birthplace in Portugal to its famous Hawaiian home, the "jumping flea" has left its mark on popular music and pop culture worldwide, this book traces this evolution with the colorful whimsy of the uke itself. Includes fascinating "uke" memorabilia, such as whimsical sheet music covers and witty advertisements, plus 200 color photos of rare and unusual ukuleles Online promo.

Customer Reviews

Packed from cover to cover with full color photographs
Now in a revised and expanded edition, The Ukulele: A Visual History by Jim Beloff is the fascinating and informative saga of this widespread and popular musical instrument. From the history and spread of the Ukulele since its origin in Portugal, to the great ukulele players, to the sagas of businesses that manufacture ukuleles, to the ukulele's impact on musical culture worldwide, and more, The Ukulele is simply packed from cover to cover with full color photographs. The Ukulele: A Visual History is a most enjoyable learning experience for anyone curious about this unique and popular instrument.

Some nice pictures
This book has some nice pictures and makes for great coffee table fodder. The historical details and other bits are quite underdeveloped, although the biographical bits are a nice, if sketchy, touch. Not very informative, either in part or whole, but it does have some nice pictures.

a visual knock-out - a must read for ukulele fans
This is a remarkable book for anyone who enjoys musical instraments, old and new. Great history of the old uke makers and players. A frascinating book with GREAT pictures