A sideways story is some moment in life when you thought you were doing one thing, but you ended up learning another. A sideways story can also be a poem, or prose, that, because of the way it is written, may not be all that direct in its meaning. What s nice about both clouds, and art, is that you can look at them and just resonate. That can be good for both the heart and the mind.

Many of the moments of this book have grown from experiences the author has had or stories he used in his lectures with students or told in his office with clients. Some of them have grown from essays written for others, for personal or professional reasons. They are moments on a path through the discovery of social work, a journey of beginnings, middles, and ends.

With just the right blend of humor and candor, each of these stories contains nuggets of wisdom that you will not find in a traditional textbook. They capture the essence and the art and soul of social work. In a world rushed with the illusion of technique and rank empiricism, it is the author's hope that some of the things here might make some moment in your thinking or feeling grow as a social worker. If they provoke a smile, or a tear, or a critical question, it s worth it. Everyone makes a different journey in a life of social work. These stories are one social worker's travelogue along the way.

"Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Ogden W. Rogers is a thought-provoking book about the evolution of the author's career in the field of social work. The real-life stories are whimsical as well as enlightening. You follow the yellow brick road of a social work career and feel the passion and dedication that is required of those who are engaged in the social work profession.... A great read for anyone entering the profession, or if you are involved and feel your passion flickering, this book will surely re-ignite your love." --Mildred Mit Joyner, MSW, LCSW, Emerita Director and Professor of Social Work, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

"As someone near the end of a long career in social work and social work education, I found the stories [in] Beginnings. Middles, and Ends to reflect so much of my own experience that I literally moved back and forth between tears of soulful recognition and laugh-out-loud moments of wonderful remembrances. There is something truthful and powerful about the artist who is willing to put a masterpiece together and leave the telltale signs of failed attempts.... This read is a gift to all, whether they are starting or ending their journey of service to others." --Terry L. Singer, Ph.D., Dean, Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville

"I found the stories humorous, sometimes painful, and incredibly honest and real. There is really nothing else out in our literature that is quite like this. It reminds me of when we teach the art and science of social work practice this is the art." --Jennifer Clements, Ph.D., LCSW, Associate Professor, Shippensburg University