Book excerpt: Since hair and scalp disease is a broad rather than a deep science, standard textbooks of dermatology do not devote enough space to hair disorders to enable the clinician to identify the more uncommon hair disorders and manage the patient. Based on Rook & Dawbers Diseases of the Hair and Scalp this is a clinical quick reference for those without a specialist interest in hair and scalp disorders, who are nevertheless involved in their diagnosis and treatment. Uncommon hair disorders are numerous and most clinicians will therefore encounter them on a regular basis. This well-illustrated reference guide bridges the gap between the textbooks of dermatology and the specialist hair disorder volumes, covering the breadth of hair and scalp disorders in sufficient depth for patient management without overwhelming and unnecessary detail.