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Just finished this book by Allan Weaver - it’s outstanding and can’t recommend it highly enough. Gripped from beginning to end. There were points where I was angry at the negative impact of adults (teachers/priest/police) had on Allan as a child when they could have have had a
positive impact instead. I was amazed at how the teachers supported and championed Allan when he went back to school as an adult. The descriptions of his da’s violence towards Allan’s maw. It was a harrowing read and the impact on Allan long term.
There were points in the book when I laughed at the absurd events and situations Allan found himself in. Allan’s journey to offending is almost a case study from Mazza’s book “Delinquency and Drift”.
The book is hard hitting in many ways yet also sends a clear message of hope and resilience. The level of violence and abuse of alcohol in Allan’s life are still replicated for many children in Scotland today. There are serious questions for men in the West of Scotland about
what type of society we want for our children? There are themes throughout the book about the importance of friendship, loyalty and concern for loved ones.
There are a few key messages for social work - address the culture of fear, risk aversion and blame as they don’t serve the people who need services or those who deliver. Another message is that social workers must be supported safely to make use of their own experience and self
and I share Allan’s disappointment that he was never supported to do this.
I read the final few chapters with a smile as wide as the Clyde as Allan speaks of his joy of fatherhood, the pride he had for his sons, his love for his maw (evident throughout the book), his love for @weaver_beth, his commitment to fairness and justice and his enthusiasm for
learning. I often get asked to recommend books for those thinking about a career in social work and Allan’s book is now on the list of must reads. I agree with @fergus_mcneill who states Allan’s book “is a superbly written, sombering and inspiring record of a Scottish life whose
lessons should be pondered far beyond the confines of criminal justice.” If you don’t own this book buy it now!
