"This book is timely for two reasons: first our greater understanding of the benefits of learning across social work contexts - the UK, Australia and North America. Second, the greater interest in local assessment of need, community profiles, decentralisation and place-shaping. Rural social work practice is rising up the education, training and research agenda; this text provides its champions and novices with stimulating and evidence-based ideas and information." Jill Manthorpe, Professor of Social Work, King's College London. "Richard Pugh has written a well organized and accessible volume discussing the intricacies and sometimes contradictions of rural services. As "the world gets flatter", we often forget that there are still politically and socially isolated populations who are struggling to functioning within their chosen communities. Richard Pugh writes about rural residents with the authority of personal experience in the field and with a great deal of empathy for those our fast moving work appears to be leaving by the wayside. This book will be an excellent and necessary guide for practitioners and students of the rural field." Emilia E. Martinez-Brawley, John F. Roatch Distinguished Professor and Professor of Social Work, Arizona State University, USA