This book is a compilation of papers presented at the ‘94 Caring Research Conference held in Ottawa, Canada. Anne Boykin, editor, wrote, “It is hoped that this book will reinforce the commitment to caring that needs to direct our ways of being in the world.” The intended audience encompasses nurses worldwide who advocate on behalf of human care and caring.
The book is organized into three sections: theory (five articles), practice (six articles), and education. There are diagrams and figures throughout and text is made more readable by its organization, use of italics, bullet points, and tables, but the book has few pictures. Each article is well referenced (mainly from the 1980s and 90s; a few date earlier than the 1950s). Even though all articles adhere to the conference’s theme, I was kept engaged by the variety of writing styles. Articles encompass literary, anecdotal, historical, qualitative research, concept analysis, theory development, quantitative research, and philosophical styles.
Twenty-three contributors from Australia, Canada, Russia, and the United States provide readers “…an impetus to reflect on the values that influence attitudes, views, and actions in relation to power, politics, and public policy.” Most authors are affiliated with academic institutions and many are well-known for their writings on humanism and caring. Four contributors also served as peer reviewers for the book.
At first glance, the tide struck me as odd. A cursory reading left me with the impression that this book did little to expand upon or add to the topic of caring. Subsequent readings, however, led me to recognize the prominence of power, politics, and public policy in each discussion of caring. When viewing power, politics, and public policy from a positive perspective, I could easily substitute these words for the word “caring” in Leininger’s definition: “Caring refers to those assistive, supportive, and facilitative acts for or toward individuals and groups to help them maintain or retain their health ….”
