This unique book describes an expert neurosurgeon's way of avoiding trouble in the clinic and the operating theatre. Mr Adams, an internationally recognized neurosurgeon and teacher, has trained numerous neurosurgical fellows from around the world including the US, Japan, Australia, Europe and South Africa. The book contains his pearls of wisdom after a lifetime of neurosurgical practice. It is a distillation from his own notebook, which contains 30 years' worth of clinical cases (and both his successes and failures). The book is not intended as a comprehensive textbook of neurosurgery but covers those areas that cause difficulty for trainees and qualified surgeons alike. There are unique chapters on: * neuroanatomy (with two sheets of origami to aid learning) * handy hints on history taking and neurological examination * fundamental surgical principles * talking with patients * unusual pathologies to watch out for and * operative technical tips This book emphasizes the art and philosophy of neurosurgery and surgery in general. The chapter on history taking and examination is a wonderful read, and this chapter alone should persuade all surgical trainees (not just neurosurgeons) to buy this book. In addition, the section on the management of post-operative pain is lucid and full of essential knowledge. Finally, surgeons who operate close to the brain (ENT and maxillofacial surgeons) as well as neurosurgeons will find the fount of wisdom in this book invaluable for the management of their own patients.