  I discuss the theoretical uncertainties in the extraction of $|\,V_{cb}|$
from a measurement of the $\bar B\to D^*\ell\,\bar\nu$ decay rate close to zero
recoil. In particular, I combine previous estimates of the $1/m_Q^2$
corrections to the normalization of the hadronic form factor at zero recoil
with sum rules derived by Shifman {\it et al}.\ to obtain a new prediction with
less uncertainty. I also give a prediction for the slope of the form factor
$\widehat\xi(w)$ at zero recoil: $\widehat\varrho^2=0.7\pm 0.2$. Using the most
recent experimental results, I obtain the model-independent value
$|\,V_{cb}|=0.0395\pm 0.0030$.

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology