Book Review: A new history of social work: Values and practice in the struggle for social justice by John H. Pierson

Abstract

example, those related to sexual identity and skin colour, have not received as much attention as the author would have wished. The compromise between concision and comprehensiveness is also visible in the middle chapters, which examine the specific risks associated with poverty and inequality, abuse and transition into later life. On the whole though, the author does an outstanding job of summarising complex issues and theories without oversimplification. A good example is chapter nine, which looks at the ways in which dementia has been conceptualised. Starting with biomedical models and the mould-breaking work of the Bradford Dementia Group (Kitwood, 1997), the reader gets a breakneck tour through the most important theories and models of the subsequent 20 years, ending with a short discussion of issues for policy and a summary of the main conclusions. All in a little over 30 pages. This points to another great strength. Despite her status as a leading gerontologist, Milne has avoided the temptation to give lectures or slip into polemic. Her own views have been kept on a short leash for the first nine chapters, so when they do finally emerge, they carry the full force of the theory and evidence that stands behind them. While there are powerful concluding messages, the book ends with ingredients and a direction of travel rather than a specific recipe or route, leaving the reader to decide how to carry the ideas forward. My personal copy is already dog-eared and sits at the end of the shelf for social work and older adults. I think it will be a long time before it gets pushed from prime position.