The Ukulele - 2nd Edition A Visual History (Hardcover) (Paperback)

~ Beloff Jim (Author) "The ukulele is actually the descendant of a four-stringed musical instrument known as the machete or, less accurately, the braguinha from the Portuguese island of..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Tiny Tim, Arthur Godfrey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books; 2 edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879307587
• ISBN-13: 978-0879307585
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #294,609 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative rendering of Ukulele History! Onolicious!, November 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ukulele: A Visual History (Paperback)

Jim Beloff's book, "The Ukulele:A Visual History", is a wonderful compilation of facts and pictures of this facinating instrument. One of the reasons I liked it was because there are no recent books out about Hawaiian musicians. The ukulele is irrevocably tied to Hawaiian music and musicians; their heritage and their history. I recently purchased a ukulele and I found this book a great resource for understanding the original ukulele makers as well finding a modern luthier to suit my needs. Its a fast and facinating read and a "must-have" for any ukulele buff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of kind title, September 1, 2005

By	N. Carey "ukemaker" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I absolutely loved this book and it fills a void with information about the 'ukulele that is not available elsewhere. The pictures are excellent and the writing is quite enjoyable. It's the sort of book that you're likely to read more than once. The only drawback is that I wish the book were bigger so that it would have lasted longer. On the less-than-positive side I was a bit disappointed that it didn't deal more deeply with the contemporary 'uke scene and glosses over some of the major players of today. Perhaps in the next new edition it will contain more of this type of info.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed from cover to cover with full color photographs, November 14, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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.