"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