Product details
- ISBN 9781495099489
- Format: Hardback
- Weight: 739g
- Dimensions: 160 x 235mm
- Publication Date: 01 Oct 2018
- Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
- Language: English
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A Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar Expeditions is the unlikely and compelling story of a globe-trotting, ukulele-strumming Brooklyn sailor named Richard Konter and his famous autographed instrument. At the height of the ukulele craze, Konter was a go-to arranger for Tin Pan Alley composers and publishers.
In 1926, Konter shipped out as a member of the crew of the Byrd Arctic Expedition. As a riveted world followed their progress (and that of their arch-rival, Roald Amundsen, the world's greatest polar explorer), Konter managed to get his ukulele aboard Byrd's plane for the first successful polar flight.
A keen contributor to history in the making, Konter managed to obtain the autographs of more than 150 individuals, both famous and unknown, all of whom respected the importance of Konter's North Pole ukulele. Later, Konter accompanied Byrd to Antarctica and later married, for the first time at age 80, the love of his life.
For the first time, A Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar Expeditions details the marvelously diverse cast of characters who autographed this little instrument, presenting mini-biographies and photographs to illustrate the interconnected web of lives brought together by Konter. New archival research, interviews, and imaging all combine to make A Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar Expeditions a spellbinding read that blends biography, music, polar exploration, history, determination, courage, and romance.
Laurence E. Bartram, Jr. is an archaeologist and CEO. Larry grew up near St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a B.A. (Anthropology) from the University of Arizona (1974) and his Ph.D. (Anthropology) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1993). He has conducted archaeological research in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and ethnoarchaeological research in Africa. In 1998, he co-founded a software publishing company to produce college courseware. Recently, he joined an orthopedic medical devices company as CEO. He lives in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Dick Boak (Bethlehem, PA) has enjoyed a 41 year career with the world renowned Martin Guitar Company. In addition to his extensive work in Martin's museum and archives, he created signature edition guitars for more than one hundred legendary guitarists and musicians. Dick is an accomplished illustrator, designer, woodworker, guitar maker, recording artist and author. He resides in Nazareth, Pennsylvania with his family.
