What do lace makers share with pulmonary surgeons? Saville 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 the expert on experts, Professor Roger Kneebone, has spent his life finding the points of connection. As he shows, while the outcome is always different, the journey to expertise is always the same.

From 'doing time' as an Apprentice, knowing nothing and learning by copying how things are already done, through setting out on your own as a Journeyman, developing your own voice and taking responsibility for your work, to finally becoming a Master and refining your knowledge through passing it on to future generations, Kneebone articulates a path we're all following - and there's comfort in locating yourself, understanding how far there is to go, and seeing how far you've come.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, including his own work with a variety of extraordinary experts from taxidermists to neurosurgeons, and a tradition of learning established in medieval workshops, in this ground-breaking book, Professor Kneebone reveals with colour and panache the symbiotic system that creates and sustains experts, whatever their field, and 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.