Sleep medicine encompasses an unusually board spectrum of contributions from biology, technology, and medicine. This volume summarizes the considerable mass of knowledge that has been accumulated in the field and imparts its major findings in a manner that is comprehensive yet not overwhelming. Edited by an eminent sleep researcher and with contributions from leading experts in the field, the volume provides a basic grounding in sleep medicine and covers the fascinating complexity of the field. It separates figure from ground for those who are newcomers to the field and who are seeking guideposts for further research. Sleep problems are frequently co-morbid with other medical conditions, and clinicians need to be alert to this interconnectedness and to recognize which difficulties are primary and which are not. Synoposis of Sleep Medicine will be a valuable tool for clinicians in many specialties for addressing diagnostic problems in sleep medicine. The volume is the first of its kind, rich yet comprehensive and focused and one that is sure to meet the needs of both basic and clinical research for some years to come.