Synthesis challenges associated with the macrolide antibiotics have motivated the development of the aldol addition reaction, understanding of which has advanced considerably since the reaction was first described in 1848. This two-volume set addresses all aspects of the enormous variety of aldol chemistry from organic, inorganic, and bioorgnic chemistry points of view. Volume 1 addresses enolates, organocatalysis, biocatalysis and natural product synthesis. Volume 2 is devoted to metal catalysis.