Book Reviews 93
which he considers faulty because historical experience elsewhere (eg 19th
Century Europe - Russia) shows the need for an active develop-mental state to
spearhead economic development. Africa, being underdeveloped, needs an
'interVentionist' state, not only to initiate productive invesunent and create a
conducive economic environment for prospective investors, but also to provide
economic goods to the disadvantaged majority for improved human welfare. He
challenges the assumption that democratisation is a sufficient condition for
equitable distribution of the fruits of economic liberalisation. He is not at all sure
thatconditions in Africa are conducive to the sustenance of liberal democracy. He,
therefore, brings up the popular concern of whether or not democracy and political
stability are feasible in view of the economic hardshipsexpcrienced by the majority
of Africans.
Itmakes stimulating and easy reading. It is a useful analysis of major problems
affecting African development and keeps alive the debate about Africa's
development prospects. It is a must for academics, especially for college and
universitystudenlSof African and International Politics, international aid institutions
and political leaders alike.
Reviewed by Prof Kwaku Osei-Hwedie, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political
and Administrative Studies University of Botswana, Gaborone.
Marriage and Family Therapy: a Sociocognitive Approach, Nathan Hurvitz
and Roger A Straus, Haworth Press, New York, 1991, ISBN 1-56024-060-1 hard!
1-56024-061-X soft, 229 pp + index, $29,95 (h/b), $17,95 (Plb).
"A revelatory new book, Marriage and Family Therapy is important
reading for therapists working with clients of varied social. cultural and
economic backgrounds. Drawn upon concepts from sociology and techniques
from psychology. this book is the result of the extensive work of tM
lale Dr Nathan H UTvitz. It is rich with transcripts and case examples. culled
from the authors' more than 35 years of practice. providing valuable
background information on difficult-to-reach populations. TM result. a
humanist' approach to family problems. as detailed in Marriage and
Family Therapy, enables the therapist to cross social. cu.ltural and racial
boundaries to work effectively with and make an impact of families whose
social characteristics differ greatly from his or her own" (The Haworth
Press).
I unreservedly agree with the press release statement because I found reading
this book very pleasurable and refreshing. It is very practical and the clinician is
94 Book Reviews
taken step-by-step through the sociocognitive approach to handling cases. Because
it holds a systemic view to therapy, family therapists will find this book very useful.
The relabelling of personal problems, not as psychopathology, but as personal
limitations, helps the therapist to see the client in a positive light from the
beginning ..
Dr Hurvitz's crisis management techniques are very pracbcal and also. the
incorporation of contracts between family members is a very u~f~l tec~D1que
which many clinicians will find very valuable if they incorporate thISm thelt work
with clients, whether in crisis or not
I would recommend the book to all clinicians who work with individuals and
families whether they be family therapists, social workers or psychologists.
Reviewed by E Muzenda, Training and Clinical Director, CONNECT (Zimbabwe
Institute of Systemic Therapy), Harare.
Teaching Secrets: The Technology in Social Work Education, by Ruth R
Middleman and Gale Goldberg Wood (eds), 1991, The Haworth Press, New York,
138 pp, ISBN: 1-56024-213-2 (h/b, $22,95.
Ruth Middleman and Gale Goldberg Wood have produced a book that has given
me hope in my aspiration to be the best lecturer that I can possibly become. In this
book, both authors have articulated various ways of being a creative teacher. The
way they have presented and discussed the relationship between the "secrets" of
practice and the use of self is excellent This is the book that is a must for teachers
of social work and I will have no hesitation to recommend that the School of Social
Work should obtain a copy for each of its staff. If all lecturers read this book, they
would be stimulated to become more creative in their teaching methods.
Middleman and Goldberg Wood have done an excellent job in editing various
chapters of the book and making them read congruently. My favourite chapters in
the book are: "Helping Students Learn from Each Other", and "Standing for Values
and Ethical Action: Teaching Social Work Ethics". In fact, all the chapters written
by various academics are excellent and one finds it hard to pinpoint the weaknesses
of this book.
This book has left me with a renewed sense of excitement that it is possible for
one to become a creative and excellent teacher without having gone through a
FacuIty of Education. I highly recommend this book for all the lecturers who teach
social work without having learnt "teaching methods" as taught at Teacher
Training Colleges. Anybody who is interested in becoming an outstanding lecturer
will find this book compeIling and useful as a constant reference book.
Reviewed by Ruth H Kiire, Lecturer, School of Social Work, Harare.