A master class on discerning the sacred in everyday work from the award-winning author of The Sound of Life’s Unspeakable Beauty

In Listening Hands: Eavesdropping on the Sound of Life, violinmaker Martin Schleske—hailed as a modern-day Stradivarius—invites you into his Bavarian workshop where wood becomes music and craftsmanship becomes prayer. Through captivating stories of selecting materials, shaping instruments, and pursuing the perfect sound, Schleske reveals spiritual truths that resonate far beyond his studio.

At heart, Listening Hands is about more than the craft of violinmaking. It’s about the art of paying attention to the everyday materials we work with, the lives we’re building, and the voice of God speaking through it all. It’s about finding purpose, peace, and beauty in work through holy listening. Each chapter offers wisdom relevant to readers at all stages of life—whether you’re considering your calling for the first time, exploring alternative vocations, or searching for renewed meaning in tasks you’ve done for years. Lyrical and life-giving, this book will sharpen your ear for the sacred music playing in all your daily endeavors.