Firstly, an embracing sense of satisfaction overwhelms us not just on the completion of a monumental task but because we, as editors, were able to co-ordinate the superb efforts of 81 expert contributors. All of them are tall experts in their respective fields, and so busy, that we wondered whether they would find the time to write a chapter for the book. Indeed, the hard work put in by them and their colleagues are not limited to the few weeks they put in towards writing the chapter but a lifetime applied to a particular area of clinical neurology. Suffice to mention it here, “A book is only as compelling, spirituous, and influential as its authors”.

Secondly, when we began the book, there was a concern whether a book of this kind was really required. However, after two years of working on the project, we are more convinced that the publication of this book is both timely and a pressing need. Timely—because this is an era when the art of bedside clinical neurology is fading and the practice of neurology is being increasingly marginalized by a plethora of investigative approaches. The time is appropriate to systematically and rationally integrate the complexities of contemporary laboratory, imaging, and neurophysiological investigations with traditional bedside neurology. This is what this book is intended for and we do not hesitate in claiming that this book is one of its kind.

Thirdly, a curiosity—who would read the book? In this aspect too, the publication of this book is justified as we are informed of an increasing number of students pursuing postgraduate studies in neurology—every year, over 160 DM Neurology students are taken in across the country. We believe that this book targets the postgraduate students in neurology as well as internal medicine, and fosters professional competence even for the accomplished neurologists, and practicing physicians. We also hope that this number will be ever-increasing.

The book seems a befitting tribute to our teachers who taught us the fine art of bedside neurology at a time when technologies were few and far apart, and to our patients who were ever accommodating of our scholarship—all to proclaim that mastering the clinical approach is the only way forward in clinical neurology.

Finally, a resolve to continue our commitment, and we promise to come back to you with the revised edition—to keep pace with the most up-to-date information in the dynamic and expanding field of clinical neurology.

First and foremost, we wish to acknowledge our great and obvious debt to more than 80 distinguished group of contributing authors who generously gave their time and expertise, and presented the material in an esoteric manner, taken from their real-life clinical experiences.

The remarkable wisdom and grace of our illustrious and eminent teachers who have always been instrumental in providing valuable direction and counsel, deserves our special gratitude.

We especially wish to recognize and never forget our patients who will always remain the foundation of all our work and knowledge. We owe tremendous thanks and appreciation to them. May we remember the words of St. Bernadette Soubirous, “Every human being is precious in God's eyes.”

We were ably assisted by Dr Parveen Goel, neuropsychologist who worked with enthusiasm, alacrity, and intelligence.

Our gratitude to the Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers for considering the publication; to the team, which supported us in the book project; and most of all to our families—who resolutely endured us as we set aside all family chores in editing the book.

Our thanks go to all those people, each of whom helped in their own unique ways in bringing this book to fruition.