This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the field of stuttering who also has a working knowledge of neurology. Professor Einer Boberg has brought together the papers given by seven leading authorities at the third Banff International Conference, 1989. The subjects included range from the 'Neural Bases of Language' to the ' Implications of Current Research for the Management of Stuttering'. In the final chapter, Professor William Perkins, a well-known expert in the field of stuttering, offers a 'conceptual theory of the neural functions that underlie the congenitive, linguistic and behavioural characteristics of stuttering'. At the end of each chapter there is an edited version of the chaired forum, held after Conference presentations, when participants asked questions which were answered by the speakers.

It is clear that the advent of new technology, the increased rigour of research in speech pathology, and a greater understanding of neurosciences has enabled specialists to undertake considerable research in this field, and thus provided us with information about issues in stuttering that should be considered and weighed.

It would seem that the emphasis in stuttering therapy tends to swing from environmental to behavioural, and back again. It may be that we are presently inclined towards environmental and psychological factors and, indeed, few would deny that these play a significant part in this multi-faceted disorder. However, we need continuously to examine and re-examine all facets and Professor Boberg's book acts as a stimulus to think about the neuropsychological and neurophysiological bases that may be present in some of those who stutter.

I recommend this book to speech and language therapists and students, and I hope that neurologists, linguists and others in related professions will read it and so acquire a wider perspective on the complex subject of stuttering.

Reviewed in the Autumn 1994 issue of 'Speaking Out' by Renée Byrne.

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