Elashiry (Arabic language and culture, Birmingham U.) casts light on the acoustic characteristics of sounds in the recitation of the Islamic scripture as performed in Egypt today. Among the topics he addresses are differences between sounds of recitation and sounds of speech, basic differences between the two styles of recitation, differences between professional and untrained reciters, how closely the rules are followed, how reciters are trained, and how important music is in their training. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)