Expert

What do lace makers share with vascular surgeons? Savile Row tailors with molecular scientists? Jazz musicians with fighter pilots? Seemingly they have little in common, other than being skilled at what they do. But Roger Kneebone, an expert on experts, has spent his life finding points of connection. As he shows, while the outcome may be very different, the journey to becoming expert is always the same.

Kneebone describes a path we're all following. You start by 'doing time' as an Apprentice, copying how things are already done by other people. Then you set out on your own as a Journeyman, developing your own voice and taking responsibility for your work. Finally, you become a Master, refining your knowledge and passing it on to future generations. Whatever your passion, there's comfort in locating yourself, understanding how far there is to go, and seeing how far you've come.

In this ground-breaking book, Kneebone combines cutting-edge research, including his own work with extraordinary experts, with traditions from the medieval guilds. He reveals with colour and panache the symbiotic system that creates and sustains experts, whatever their field. He explains how you can become one yourself, whether you're learning a language, giving a presentation, or simply becoming the person you want to be.