John Hunter, John Savin and Mark Dahl first wrote 'Clinical Dermatology' in the 1980s as a concise, pithy guide to dermatology in clinical practice for medical students, junior doctors, dermatological trainees and general practitioners. The book was immediately popular and has continued its success throughout four editions. The most recent edition saw the addition of Richard Weller to the author team. The fifth edition will aim to appeal to the same market as the previous four editions, in particular general practitioners, medical students, general physicians requiring a concise textbook of dermatology, and dermatology trainees. The structure of the book will be similar to the previous editions, but to bring it into line with the changing nature of dermatology practice, there will be an expansion of the sections on cosmetic dermatology (introduced in the fourth edition), on surgical dermatology and also on dermatoses of non-caucasian skin. Discussion of the relationship between the skin and the psyche will be enhanced as well. The text elsewhere will be generally updated in line with developments in the science and practice of dermatology.