Some Summer Reading Before You Start the Programme

Some Summer Reading before you start the Programme

The following selection is not exhaustive. Some of the works are classic; some are good and others thought-provoking; all of them fall into at least one of those categories.

Fiction, Autobiography and Poetry

Title Comment Author

Auto-biographical account 1979 - A Big Year in a Cameron R of the comedienne's Small Town upbringing in Musselburgh, East Lothian. Issues of identity - adolescent and sexual, also in relation to her adoption. Loss/bereavement too.

The Shining King S Better known for Jack Nicholson breaking down doors with an axe but unexpectedly offers unique insights into the world of alcoholics and those that care for them.

Trainspotting Welsh I How could we leave this out?

Adoption Papers Kay J Award-winning poems about being growing up as a black adopted person in Scotland.

Kestrel for a Knave Hines B Growing up deprived in (Kes) north east England. Resilience in practice.

David Copperfield Dickens C Want to know about child cruelty? Read no further. Dibs - in search of self Axline V A true story that chronicles a series of play therapy sessions over a period of one year with an emotionally crippled boy.

A Sense of Freedom Boyle J Autobiography - including prison experiences in 'special unit' at Barlinnie prison, Glasgow.

My Left Foot Brown C Dublin slums, cerebral palsy and having the control of only one foot – and scoring goals!

The Selfish Pig's Guide Marriot H to Caring

The White Bird Passes Kesson J Childhood in and out of public care in N.E. Scotland.

The Unbelonging Riley J The experience of a Jamaican child coming to live in the U.K.

More Profession-related texts and thought-provoking works

Title Author Asylums: Essays on Goffman E the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates

A Child's Journey Fahlberg V The handbook for Through Placement adoption professionals. Inequalities in http://www.sochealth.co.uk/history The publication of Health: the Black the Black Report Report 1980 over the Bank Holiday Weekend of 1980 by the Thatcher Government signalled the end of the hopes of improvement in public health for twenty years. It was clear that the Government would have preferred to suppress the whole thing…

The Needs of Kellmer Pringle M “Children's physical, Children emotional, social and intellectual needs must all be met if they are to enjoy life, develop their full potential and grow into participating..."

The Client Speaks: Timms N and Mayer J Working Class Impressions of Casework

The Skilled Helper: Egan G a systematic approach to helping

United Nations Pinheiro P. The first time that an Secretary-General’s http://www.unviolencestudy.org/ attempt has been Study on Violence made to document against Children the reality of violence against children around the world, and to map out what is being done to stop it.

So You Think You Weaver A. Autobiography – Know Me? criminal justice from the inside. “I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be reminded of why they embarked on a career in the probation service.”

Sans Everything: A Robb B Essentially it is a Case to Answer story of how a group of people were appalled and energised by the treatment of a friend or acquaintance who was admitted to a long-stay ward for the elderly mentally ill.

Social Welfare: Chakrabarti M Scottish Perspective

Modern Social Work Payne M “the most Theory comprehensive attempt to provide an overarching view of theory for social work in one text.”

Berne E Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships

The Secret of Bryn Webster R Deconstruction of the Estyn Waterhouse Report into historical abuse in children’s homes that gives fascinating insights into human nature and how erroneous ideology can enter into a collective psyche.

Anti-Discriminatory Thompson N Practice

Attachment and Bowlby J Loss (3 book set)

Bereavement: Murray Parkes C Studies of Grief in Adult Life Childhood and Erikson E Origin of the seven Society stages of ‘man’ conceptual framework Race and Racism in Solomos J “…builds on the Britain strengths of previous editions of this widely-used text in providing a detailed and critical analysis of race relations and forms of racism in British society today.”

Man's Search for Frankl V An autobiographical Meaning: an account of the Introduction to experiences of living Logotherapy in Auschwitz, other concentration camps and his development of logotherapy (look it up!). It explores the meaning of life, love, work, hope, suffering and struggles.

The Call to Social Lecroy C Explores real life Work: Life Stories narratives of social workers in a diverse context - the United States. It looks at inspirational concepts of justice, healing, compassion and the human spirit. A motivational, realistic read for aspirant social workers!

Becoming a Social Cree, V. “I bought this book to Worker read before starting my social work degree. It gives an insight into individual social workers' thoughts and feelings about their profession. I would recommend this book to anyone considering social work as a career.” (Amazon review)

Copies of many of the works referred to can be found in the main University library otherwise most titles will be available in City of Edinburgh central library in George IV Bridge, or in paperback editions in most bookshops. You can also try the second- hand bookshops.

Dates and publishers have been deliberately omitted because these alter (e.g. with re- printed works) and for simplicity.

Plus don’t forget the Social Workers Action Network Manifesto! Available at:

www.socialworkfuture.org/