This book is Volume I of a new series by Springer entitled Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry. At present, there are six such monographs in this series, the overall scope of which is to cover current trends in heterocyclic chemistry . Given the importance of heterocylic natural products and heterocyclic scaffolds in the realm of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, an up-todate series on this subject is well warranted, and a survey of the recent impact of microwave-assisted synthesis on this venerable field is both timely and needed.