The introduction begins with an extensive discussion of Arabic studies reference tools--for history, literature, the Qu'ran, and Islam; yet for linguistics, the resources are sparse, some being outdated and others intended as grammar textbooks, for example, rather than comprehensive treatments. General editor Versteegh (U. of Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and five associate editors (based in the US, Poland, and The Netherlands) have brought together an ambitious project, which was initiated in 1995, with the intention of filling that lacuna. From an initial list of 2,000 prospective entries, 500 were chosen to represent the major topics, and 35 for general survey articles. Contributors were asked to synthesize recent research (emphasizing bibliographical coverage) and to write from an objective point of view; they were also invited to present their own views, clearly identified, so that readers could be exposed to controversies and innovative ideas. Arrangement is in five volumes (a total of more than 3,000 pages), the first four containing the entries and the final volume comprising the index. This is an indispensable reference for libraries with holdings in any facet of Arabic studies or linguistics. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)