An intellectual history of British social policy

"John Offer's engaging and challenging book examines idealism in modern welfare. ... while [his] arguments are almost always judicious and well qualified, he seems to enjoy a flirtation with the bold. ... There is much to commend in this book." Twentieth Century British History
"Offer's account raises an important question about the relationship between the advocates of voluntary welfare and those of statutory provision." Social Policy
"John Offer's engaging and challenging book examines idealism in modern British welfare ... this is simply a good work on ideology and social policy ... It is often the case that existing personal opinions often find coherent form in a particular school of thought. Offer's qualified arguments and close readings never fail to miss this important point about ideas and social policy." Twentieth Century British History
"John Offer's challenging new book on the development of ideas about social policy in the nineteenth century will be essential reading for teachers, students and researchers with interests in the field of social welfare theory." Robert Pinker, Emeritus Professor of Social Administration, London School of Economics