Reflecting on the Past: Essays in the History of Youth and Community Work

This book is a valuable contribution to youth work, reminding everyone of the long history of the profession.

The history of practice is explored in accounts of the development of youth work in the 19th century, and of the development of Sunday schools. The period of professionalisation is clearly analysed in an essay by Simon Bradford, which locates the current celebration of a romantic tradition in youth work by, among others, the In Defence of Youth Work campaign, in the histories of youth work education focused in the National College.

The history of social pedagogy by Gabriel Eichsteller makes some European histories available for the first time to a UK audience, although there is something missing here in terms of engagement with the espousal of social pedagogy among early years and residential social work specialists. Finally, the account by Dan Conrad of the life of the aviator Amelia Earheart as a US settlement worker with girls made my heart soar.