Surgical education is a rapidly expanding area of surgical research and career interest, and as the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) Fall Courses (www.aasurg.org) and International courses offer more and more specialty tracking there is a greater need for an accompanying textbook to supplement the material presented in the courses. Success in Academic Surgery: Health Services Research is a unique and portable handbook that focuses on clinical trials. It includes new educational materials which are necessary to address: (1) the rapid evolution and rise of novel research methodologies in basic science and clinical/educational research and (2) the changing environment for academic surgeons. Success in Academic Surgery: Health Services Research is a valuable text for medical students, surgical residents and others considering a career within surgery.