Master Violinmaker CL

For any parent, child, or person who delights in finding prizes, this book is a small treasure chest. From the beginning of the book, Fleisher makes the story accessible to children and learners, giving some of Larrimore's apprenticeship history, making known the importance of mentoring, education, and tradition in a trade where true apprenticed masters are rare. The pictures and narrative are informative and generous. Informative, in that anyone not well versed in the craft could learn something. Generous, in that, they are not overwhelming, not technical. This is a book which will delight and engage. I was shocked to see one review comment that it was not for someone learning to build a violin; would you pick up a story about Henry Ford to learn to fix you car?

Paul Fleisher and David Saunders have captured the art of violin making with text and photographs that is very clear and consise. Although the book is not very instructional for the aspiring luthier (violin maker), it is good for school children to learn about the skills of a master craftsperson.