sprouting

I’m confused about sprouting. I’m new to this style of eating so would like any advice you have on: 1) a really good sprout book 2) is sprouting the same as soaking 3) for grains especially, do you soak just to get soft or are you to wait for a tail to start growing 4)do you leave in water to sprout or use one of those sprouters 5) When a recipe just says sprouted rice, wheat ect. How long do you sprout for.

Thanks for any answers that any of you may have.

Wendy