Leaders and Legacies:
Contributions to the Profession of Counseling

Book Being Reviewed:
West, J. D., Osborn, C. O., & Bubenzer, D. (2003). Leaders and legacies: Contributions to the profession of counseling. NY: Brunner-Routledge.

Reviewer:
Sandy Magnuson & Ken Norum

Curricular Areas:
Career Development, Consultation, Counselor Education, Diversity/Multiculturalism/Social Justice, Human Development, Professional Identity

Subject Headings:
Career, Female lifespan development, Health/Wellness, Male lifespan development

Review:
The authors chronicled the counseling profession's rich history in one rich volume. The first six chapters consolidate histories of the profession's specializations, tracking struggles, victories, and remaining challenges. The second section features biographical sketches of 23 prominent leaders in the counseling profession. The final chapter focuses on dimensions of leadership.

Among the many strengths of this text is the eloquent language. For example, the editors introduced the first chapter with a discussion of the counseling profession's "sensitivity to human emotion and a natural or unencumbered empathy for the disenfranchised" (p. 4). Regarding leadership, the editors wrote, "visionary leaders are involved in a social dynamic that opens space so that new myths (stories) of possibility might emerge in a selected context" (p. 14). Furthermore, "leaders within the counseling profession are those who know and value the history of the profession--the context of the past--and view themselves as privileged members of and contributors to the profession's lineage" (p. 7).

The profiles document contributions of 23 prominent counselors and ways they have modeled diverse aspects of leadership. In the final chapter, the editors designed a graphic portrayal of the tripartite expressions of leadership-- scholarship, practice, and service.

Another strength of Leaders and Legacies is the synthesis of qualities attributed to prominent leaders profiled in the second portion of the book. The editors complemented the diagram and discussion with a forum for personalizing the information with reflection questions that address scholarship, practice, and service. For example, a reflection question addressing service is, "In what ways would you like to be involved for the good of the larger profession" (p. 306). Related to practice, the editors wrote, "Reflect on your own current practice. . . . How are these illustrative of your own professional identity" (p. 304).

Leaders and Legacies is an excellent resource for practicing counselors, counselors-in-training, and counselor-educators-in-training. The editors and authors unabashedly emphasized the importance of excellence and high standards, intentional reflection, visionary leadership, passionate professional pride, and bold advocacy. Because of its comprehensive nature, the text's value will endure for years.

Originally posted on 8/26/2008 at csi-net.org