I was asked to consider this volume from the perspective of a restorative practitioner (turned researcher), in order to lend some balance to the heavyweight academic muscle on display. It was such a pleasure to read this input, especially on a theme that has not been drawn together before in the field of restorative justice research.  The editor, Theo Gavrielides deserves our thanks for highlighting this range of studies and for leading us through the competing claims of various scientific and ethical thought.
 
This collection draws together a wide range of scientific study into a coherent whole, insofar as that this is possible. Part 1 presents developing theories, from psychology through to neuroscience. Part 2 takes us through some of the critical issues that arise and Part 3 introduces us to examples of new research. If it is a fundamental concept of the scientific approach that we produce fresh, new experiments or theses, and prove them by exposure to debate; then this edition succeeds.