Leslie Leighninger fills an important gap in the social work literature with her in-depth examination of the development of social work as a profession from the 1930s through the 1960s. She explores the major changes that took place during this period--the creation of a broad professional association, solidification of a system of graduate education, development of an undergraduate training program, the rise and demise of a union movement, and the professionalization of public welfare--in a broad historical context.