COPD is preventable and treatable, yet its low profile and late presentation means that many people are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed to a moderate or severe stage, where interventions are less effective. The education of all healthcare professionals is therefore essential in improving care for this patient group. It is not simply a disease of the airways; it also has cognitive and social aspects and if care is to be optimised it needs to be approached holistically. This book addresses a wide range of issues and includes a chapter on the patient s perspective, written by a patient, which gives useful insights. It merits a place in the healthcare library