Alfred Woll is one of the most distinguished makers of mandolins in the Neapolitan style and a standard-bearer for his craft. Here, he shares the immense body of knowledge he has acquired over many years as a professional luthier.

In a historical discourse, he recounts the lives and work of famous master luthiers such as Luigi Embergher, Raffaele Calace and Reinhold Seiffert, illustrated with many previously unpublished photos and true-to-scale construction drawings of their instruments. He follows this with detailed instructions for building a modern mandolin in the classical style, from the choice of wood right through to the finish.