One of the most respected and referenced books of its kind, this authoritative volume covers not only violins but other bowed instruments. It ranges from the earliest makers of stringed instruments — Greek, Roman, and Egyptian — to the latter-day masters of French, Italian, German, and English styles.

Fascinating items of historic interest include the origins of such instruments as the Welsh bowed-lyre known as the crwth and the viol's medieval predecessor, the rebec. In terms of performance,...