During the last quarter of a century, bisphosphonates have become a major tool in the management of bone disease, second only to vitamin D. A great deal of research on these agents has been carried out by investigators from a variety of disciplines, but until now the resulting information had not been presented in a systematic fashion, addressing the needs of clinicians, basic researchers, and their colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry. Written in its entirety by scientists who have been active and reputed in their different areas from the beginning of bisphosphonate research, this volume will enable physicians to profit optimally from the accumulated experience, to guide pharmacists in their teaching, to help pharmacologist in designing new bisphosphonates and to stimulate biologists in better elucidating their mechanisms of action.