The Road Not Taken: A History of Radical Social Work in the United States

by Michael Reisch, Janice Andrews

Overview

The Road Not Taken takes a new perspective on the course of social welfare policy in the twentieth century. This examination looks at the evolution of social work in the United States as a dynamic process not just driven by mainstream organizations and politics, but strongly influenced by the ideas and experiences of radical individuals and marginalized groups as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317763154
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/22/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	290
File size:	835 KB

About the Author

Michael Reisch, Janice Andrews

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Social Work: A Radical Profession?
2. Radical Social Work in the Progressive Era
3. The Spider Web Conspiracy and the Death of Progressivism
4. The Rank and File Movement and the Precursors to McCarthyism
5. Anti-Communism and the Attack on the New Deal
6. Social Work Response to McCarthyism
7. The Revival of Radicalism in Social Work
8. The Redefinition of Social Work Radicalism, 1970-1999--Part I
9. The Redefinition of Social Work Radicalism, 1970-1999--Part II
10. Social Work Radicalism at the End of the Twentieth Century
11. Conclusion--The Future of Radical Social Work in the United States
Sources
Index

Editorial Reviews

"In this detailed and thoroughly researched book, Reisch and Andrews trace the history of social work from the perspective of social workers who were (and still are) committed to a radical approach...this book should be essential reading for social workers everywhere. By tracing the history of activist and 'left' social work, the authors make an original and important contribution to the literature. Social work educators who teach the history of social work ought to prescribe this book and ensure that students understand that the Charity Organization Society and the Settlements were not the only pioneers of the social work profession. The book's attempts to recognize the contribution of social work colleagues who, over the years, have thought of themselves as radical, is important and timely." -- Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, Vol. 29 no. 4, December 2002

From the Publisher

As an alternative to most histories of the profession, Reisch (social work, U. of Michigan-Ann Arbor) and Andrews (social work, U. of St. Thomas and College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota) use a radical perspective to trace the evolution of social work in the US from its beginnings in the Progressive Era to the potential for radical social work in the 21st century. They began by looking at the impact of McCarthyism on the profession, but broadened their scope when they realized that radicals have been attacked and harassed all along. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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