ÊA Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar ExpeditionsÊ 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.ÞIn 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.ÞA 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.ÞFor the first time ÊA Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar ExpeditionsÊ 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 ÊA Stowaway Ukulele Revealed: Richard Konter & the Byrd Polar ExpeditionsÊ a spellbinding read that blends biography music polar exploration history determination courage and romance.