This book is unique, for to our knowledge, not only it is the sole publication that describes hand surgery in the 50 member societies of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, but no other medical or surgical specialty has produced a similar publication on their specialty. The book is primarily comprised of two sections: one on the history, training and practice of hand surgery in each member country and the second on specific clinical topics in hand surgery. A collection of leading and respected hand surgeons from the 50 different countries have contributed to the history chapters.