Academic surgeons play an essential role in advancing the field and improving the care of patients with surgical disease. As the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) Fall Courses (www.aasurg.org) and international courses continue to evolve to address the rapidly expanding scope and complexity of academic surgery, there is a greater need for an accompanying textbook to supplement the material presented in the courses. Success in Academic Surgery: Basic Science is a unique and portable handbook that focuses on the basic and translational research. It includes new educational materials that are necessary to address not only the rapid evolution and rise of novel research methodologies in basic science and translational research, but also the changing environment for academic surgeons. Success in Academic Surgery: Basic Science is a valuable text for medical students, surgical residents, junior faculty and others considering a career in surgical research.