Expert, Roger Kneebone
Expert, Roger Kneebone
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Expert
Understanding the Path to Mastery

Author: Roger Kneebone

Narrator: Roger Kneebone

Unabridged: 8 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 08/27/2020

Synopsis

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

Reviews

Goodreads review by 8stitches 9lives on August 30, 2020

There has long been snobbishness associated with certain ”prestigious” professions and often accompanied by a patronising tone used towards those perceived to be in ”inferior” employment, usually blue-collar jobs and any work involving manual labour. But what Roger Kneebone explains in Expert: Under......more

Goodreads review by Ardon on August 16, 2023

I’m a sucker for any book that can teach me about how I can sharpen existing skills and help build new ones. Expert has been on my “to-read” list for a long time but I never picked it up until a thunderstorm led me to take shelter in my local library - it’s probably the only time I’ve ever been grat......more

Goodreads review by Ujval on August 22, 2021

A trauma surgeon turned GP turned academician explains the path to becoming an expert and interdisciplinary skills that are needed in this path. Kneebone uses examples from multiple fields to explain the path, the need for experts, the complexities, the cross-disciplinary applications of seemingly i......more

Goodreads review by Abdulla on August 27, 2022

A fantastic read considering it's the author's first non-academic book published for a general audience. The book covers the studied stages that all experts have in common in terms of their experiences and journeys, rather than going in-depth into the technical expertise of any particular field. Thi......more

Goodreads review by Beth on October 26, 2020

"It's often said that our world privileges information over knowledge, and knowledge over wisdom. The ability to stay calm, take the long view and be thoughtful about embracing new technologies is increasingly rare and valuable. Level-headed guidance about what to believe is important now more th......more

Quotes

Roger Kneebone is a legend

Fascinating and inspiring Financial Times

The doctor stitching together medicine and art

Examines the ubiquitous, but understudied, process of becoming an expert New Scientist

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

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'

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

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

My time spent studying and working in Japan has left me with a deep appreciation for the importance of skill and the mystery of its acquisition. How do we navigate that path from knowing nothing to being able to pass on precious knowledge and experience to the next generation? Roger Kneebone is a supremely thoughtful and sensitive companion on that journey.

Vividly practical Nature

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