James Midgley provides a broad overview of social welfare, outlining key institutions, terminology, historical research, and approaches. He also details reasons for the existence of international social welfare and the challenges that arise from it. The author includes an important section on applied international social welfare that addresses the concerns of practitionersuconcerns that have been neglected in much of the literature in the field. An entire section of the book is devoted to issues of social work practice, social development, the activities of international agencies, and their collaborative efforts. While practical application is an important focus of the book, several chapters deal with key theoretical debates in the field. The author also includes descriptive chapters that provide comprehensive accounts of world social conditions and social welfare institutions. As a textbook on international social welfare, Social Welfare in Global Context is primarily intended for students and practitioners of social work, social administration, and social policy. But it is also relevant for students of sociology, public policy, and economics.