"The Tales That Bind describes what is unique about rural helping careers. The book is directed to both teachers and learners, and is written in such a way that it will be helpful to both." -- Preston Smith, Dean of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan "Building upon research done over the past several decades on the importance of narrative and story, The Tales that Bind applies these theories to Canadian rural realities. A contribution to an area where relatively little has been published, this book will be a highly useful read for professionals who are working, or wish to work, in rural settings." -- John H. Young, School of Religion, Queen's University

Every year, thousands of new practitioners in professions such as social work, education, medicine, and the church leave the large urban centres where they received their training and go to work in small towns, remote hamlets, and other rural settings. Often they find themselves unprepared for professional life in these communities. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted with more than forty practitioners working in a range of professions and communities throughout rural New Brunswick, The Tales that Bind presents a narrative approach to facing these challenges. Using fictionalized vignettes and autobiographical sketches, William Lowell Randall, Rosemary Clews, and Dolores Furlong argue that success as rural practitioners requires "knowing the story" - whether that is personal, communal, or regional. An accessible, practical guide to using narrative techniques in practice, The Tales that Bind is a unique resource for students, teachers, and professionals working in rural settings.