Written by the prize winner of the 2012 IUPAC–Richter and the 2012 Ernest Guenther Award! This long–awaited graduate level book, written by one of the world′s leading organic chemists in collaboration with two of his former and present coworkers, adopts a refreshingly unique approach to synthesis planning and execution. Following an introductory look at the concept of synthesis, the authors discuss the Why, What, and How of organic synthesis as they apply to natural products. Although emphasis is on the Chiron Approach utilizing amino–acids, carbohydrates, hydroxy acids, terpenes, lactones and other naturally occurring small molecules as starting materials, catalytic asymmetric methods are also included as a corollary whenever relevant. A must–have source of first class information for everyone working in organic synthesis, be it in academia or industry.