Expert cover art

Expert

Understanding the Path to Mastery

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Expert

By: Roger Kneebone
Narrated by: Roger Kneebone
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

What could a lacemaker have in common with vascular surgeons? A Savile Row tailor with molecular scientists? A fighter pilot with jazz musicians? At first glance, very little. But Roger Kneebone, an expert on experts, has spent his life finding unexpected connections.

Kneebone maps out a path we're all following, whether in our career or any other part of our lives. He shows how you start by 'doing time' as an Apprentice, copying how things are already done. Then you set out on your own as a Journeyman, developing your 'voice' and taking full responsibility for your work, with its successes and inevitable failures. Finally, you become a Master, passing on your knowledge and skill to future generations. Expert explains the internal processes we all have to go through as we edge forwards.

In this groundbreaking book, Kneebone combines his own experiences as a doctor with insights from extraordinary people and cutting-edge research. He tells a story that resonates with us all - the story of how we can become expert. Whether you're developing a new career, studying a language, learning a musical instrument or simply becoming the person you want to be, Expert reveals the path to mastery and shows what lies ahead.

'Roger Kneebone is a legend' Mark Miodownik, author of Stuff Matters

'Superbly written, passionately argued and very necessary' Tim Ingold, University of Aberdeen

'The doctor stitching together medicine and art' Guardian

'If you want to do anything better, from surgery to embroidery, you can learn something from this book' Christopher Peters, Imperial College London

'Kneebone is our foremost expert on expertise. Expert is a desperately important book at a moment when we've begun to wonder just what we might still be good at' Ken Arnold, Wellcome Collection

'Whisper it quietly, but post COVID-19, there is a growing realization that experts do matter' Susan Standring, King's College London

© Roger Kneebone 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Art Career Success Medicine & Health Care Industry Personal Development Personal Success Stress Management Surgery

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Critic reviews

Roger Kneebone is a legend (Mark Miodownik, author of Stuff Matters)
Fascinating and inspiring
The doctor stitching together medicine and art (Guardian)
Examines the ubiquitous, but understudied, process of becoming an expert (Richard Webb)
Roger Kneebone has an insatiable desire to understand what makes people tick and for years has scratched this itch by bringing together countless interesting people to share their experience and knowledge. This book on experts is a wonderful manifestation of what he has learnt. If you want to do anything better, from surgery to embroidery, you can learn something from this book (Christopher Peters FRCS, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Upper GI and General Surgeon, Imperial College London)
Roger Kneebone describes a journey that has no short cuts and no end. He tracks the inside story of becoming an expert, documenting a time line that stretches from the state of knowing nothing to passing on the wisdom of a lifetime. He draws out common themes between his experiences as a medical student, surgeon, GP, educator, academic, harpsichord player and sometime juggler with those of men and women working creatively in design studios, workshops and performance spaces, all of them now experts in their own fields. His refutation of the view that experts are an irrelevant, 'useless elite' is compelling and chilling in equal measure. Whisper it quietly, but post COVID-19, there is a growing realisation that experts do matter. I wish this book had been available when I was a student - it is full of wisdom, insight, humanity and encouragement. We should all aim to cross the 'ha-ha' (Susan Standring, Emeritus Professor of Anatomy, King's College London)
Roger Kneebone is our foremost expert on expertise. Expert is a desperately important book at a moment when we've begun to wonder just what we might still be good at (Ken Arnold, Head of Public Programmes at Wellcome Collection)
In a world awash with knowledge, we are in danger of forgetting what it means to be wise. Where knowledge arms us against the onslaughts of the world, wisdom disarms. It takes the risk opening up, to listen and attend, not presuming we already know. Wisdom puts others before ourselves. In this superbly written, passionately argued and very necessary book, Roger Kneebone contends that wisdom, more than knowledge, is the mark of the expert. In whatever vocation, as he shows us, becoming expert is a never-ending, lifelong task. But anyone can commit to it. Those who do should be an example to us all (Tim Ingold, University of Aberdeen)
All stars
Most relevant
Beautiful exploration of what it takes to become any kind of expert with his main model/template being inspired by his training as a doctor and surgeon in the NHS. Apprentice to journeyman to master to teaching juniors to give back. Says there is not shortcut to putting in the time and work.

Also goes into the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration (arts and sciences, humanities and medicine etc.).

However, does not in a detailed way go into the learning process and how creativity works. The mechanics and neuroscience behind expertise is not covered here. It is not a step to step guide to become any expert (which is impossible to have) but a nice reflection on mastery in general in the various fields (with an emphasis on craftsmanship jobs). Does not go into development of tech mastery.

Affirming if not groundbreaking exploration

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listening to this in Audio allowed the reader to reflect on the words whilst looking at the real world. inspirational.

A perfect companion to life long learning

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Great performance by Robert Kneebone, who narrates as himself. Very well written book which is a pleasure to listen to.

The content itself presents a very interesting philosophical look into the journey it takes to become an expert, the different forms it can take, and ultimately why we need them.

A star was held back as I expected the content to be more evidence based, and that I was led to make my own lessons from what I read rather than the authors conclusion guiding me

A humble road to an expert

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great narrative and thread, a true expert on experts! I'm going to listen again and make notes!

excellent

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Truly interesting and highly enjoyable; inspiring and informative in equal measure. Written and read expertly.

Spectacular

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