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Right from Wrong: My Story of Guilt and Redemption
‘Engaging… Dunne argues cogently, coherently and from experience that to have choices in life you also have to have chances.’ The Observer, Book of the Day ‘A much-needed burst of light in the dark meadow of time.’ Lemn Sissay In 2011 Jacob Dunne threw a single punch that ended another man’s life. Sentenced to prison for manslaughter, he served fourteen months of a custodial sentence. On his release, he found himself homeless, unemployed and struggling to find a sense of purpose. But with the help of others, and with the encouragement of his victim’s parents, he managed to get his life back on track. Right From Wrong follows the course of Jacob’s life, beginning on a council estate in Nottingham. Beset by problems at home and at school, Jacob drifted into drug-related gang culture, drinking heavily and fighting for fun before a fateful night changed the course of his life. Unflinching in its account of Jacob’s guilt and shame, this book will reveal how Jacob used the experience to turn things around. He has been actively involved with Restorative Justice programmes including the Forgiveness Project, has reconciled with those he has hurt, has earned a first-class degree in Criminology and become a husband and father. Jacob’s story is in some ways unique, but it is also reflective of the experiences of young working-class men and boys across the country. By reflecting on his story, he hopes he might help people to avoid the kind of mistakes he made. In the process he points to the societal reforms needed in order to avoid an endless cycle of criminality and hopelessness. Right From Wrong is a deeply humane and honest book, and an unflinching look at men’s mental health and emotions at a time when our awareness of these things is of crucial importance.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 16, 2022
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239 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 21, 2024
The theatre was full of the sort of superior shitheads who have been talking down to the likes of me and Jacob Dunne for decades. I had a good look round before the play started and observed to the missus that it would be a good time to be a burglar in West Bridgeford. This was a play based on the book and is rooted in The Meadows. For this audience that is the home of the scumbags who come across the river to do their drugs around Iremonger’s Pond. They had their two hours of conscience balming and blame deflection and rose as one in standing ovation. But they’d missed the point. Well meaning middle class liberals will never be the solution as they are too much part of the problem.
This remarkable book manages in just over 200 pages to offer more insight into the causes of societal problems and even points towards genuine solutions (never to be accepted as they would involve treating each other as equally deserving and the affluent have only one idea of the deserving). As well as one of the most remarkable stories of growing self-awareness and hope it is also a remarkable treatise on the (correctable) failings of education. I taught the left-behind kids from The Meadows, from St Annes and Radford and Clifton and fought a continual battle against the oppression of middle class values. The many victories were the result of putting into practice many of the ideas contained in this book: to value and not to judge. In many years of fighting the honest fight I never came across a child who didn’t want to succeed. We didn’t win all the battles but if educationalists read this book properly (instead of getting hung-upon a couple of typos) we’d win more. And with enough victories we’d reach a tipping point.
The two women behind me barged everyone out of their way in getting to their seats and talked throughout. One then screeched out her question. Well not so much a question. Her sort already know every answer so she offered her solution which was if only everyone was like me we’d all be alright. Apart from the absolute horror of a society made up entirely of the self-centred, the blinkered and the ignorant, such a solution fails to see that the problem lies with them.
The theatre was packed with the worthy coming to watch the story of the unworthy. The solution was up there on the stage. The problem filled the auditorium.
My hope is that many people will read the book and many more will watch the play. It ought to transfer to The National. It is good enough and though centred in Nottingham it would speak to Tottenham and Wandsworth and Deptford. My big hope is that this would allow a stage to screen which would then be available to schools. Maybe then it could be seen by those most affected; the young males growing up on the criminally designed estates of our major cities. Let them join the debate. They know what the problems feel like, what they are; after all they live them 24 hours a day.
Jacob Dunne knows of what he writes; he knows what it is like to be disadvantaged, he knows the successes and failings of the criminal justice system, he is an inspirational example of the benefits of restorative justice; and he writes very well. We should listen and read.
This remarkable book manages in just over 200 pages to offer more insight into the causes of societal problems and even points towards genuine solutions (never to be accepted as they would involve treating each other as equally deserving and the affluent have only one idea of the deserving). As well as one of the most remarkable stories of growing self-awareness and hope it is also a remarkable treatise on the (correctable) failings of education. I taught the left-behind kids from The Meadows, from St Annes and Radford and Clifton and fought a continual battle against the oppression of middle class values. The many victories were the result of putting into practice many of the ideas contained in this book: to value and not to judge. In many years of fighting the honest fight I never came across a child who didn’t want to succeed. We didn’t win all the battles but if educationalists read this book properly (instead of getting hung-upon a couple of typos) we’d win more. And with enough victories we’d reach a tipping point.
The two women behind me barged everyone out of their way in getting to their seats and talked throughout. One then screeched out her question. Well not so much a question. Her sort already know every answer so she offered her solution which was if only everyone was like me we’d all be alright. Apart from the absolute horror of a society made up entirely of the self-centred, the blinkered and the ignorant, such a solution fails to see that the problem lies with them.
The theatre was packed with the worthy coming to watch the story of the unworthy. The solution was up there on the stage. The problem filled the auditorium.
My hope is that many people will read the book and many more will watch the play. It ought to transfer to The National. It is good enough and though centred in Nottingham it would speak to Tottenham and Wandsworth and Deptford. My big hope is that this would allow a stage to screen which would then be available to schools. Maybe then it could be seen by those most affected; the young males growing up on the criminally designed estates of our major cities. Let them join the debate. They know what the problems feel like, what they are; after all they live them 24 hours a day.
Jacob Dunne knows of what he writes; he knows what it is like to be disadvantaged, he knows the successes and failings of the criminal justice system, he is an inspirational example of the benefits of restorative justice; and he writes very well. We should listen and read.
May 20, 2025
We saw the play ‘Punch’ at The Young Vic theatre in London recently. It was superb. Based on the true story of a young Man, Jacob Dunne, who threw an unprovoked fatal punch whilst on a drunken, drug filled night out in Nottingham in 2011. As a result James Hodgkinson died. Jacob Dunne, was found guilty and sent to prison. The play tells how the parents of the victim fought for answers, eventually engaging in a process of restorative justice with Jacob. Jacob eventually reformed, gained excellent academic exam results and started to rebuild his life, speaking publicly about his crime. He credits a lot of his rehabilitation to the parents of James.
I was very keen to read the book Jacob went on to write and found much of it interesting and inspiring. I felt that the second half became quite repetitive and dare I say it, a bit preachy. He always acknowledged his past with regret, but I felt too much was made of his background and lack of opportunities. I found it disturbing that he continued to drink heavily at weekends and smoked weed fearing that the road travelled could so easily repeat itself.
My admiration for the parents of the deceased young man is beyond words. I doubt I could have done what they did.
If you don’t know anything about this case I would recommend giving it a read, but if you can see the stage play, do not hesitate to book a seat. It’s incredible.
I was very keen to read the book Jacob went on to write and found much of it interesting and inspiring. I felt that the second half became quite repetitive and dare I say it, a bit preachy. He always acknowledged his past with regret, but I felt too much was made of his background and lack of opportunities. I found it disturbing that he continued to drink heavily at weekends and smoked weed fearing that the road travelled could so easily repeat itself.
My admiration for the parents of the deceased young man is beyond words. I doubt I could have done what they did.
If you don’t know anything about this case I would recommend giving it a read, but if you can see the stage play, do not hesitate to book a seat. It’s incredible.
May 24, 2022
Jacob Dunne threw one punch in a fight late one night which would have tragic consequences as it led to the death of a young man called James Hodgkinson.
His parents understandably, had many questions that they wanted to ask Jacob and initially communicated through a series of letters but once he was released from prison they might through a Restorative Justice process in person.
Jacob says that "The two people I’d harmed the most with my actions had judged me the least" and their genuine interest in him ad his future disarmed him.
He has since gone on a transformational journey and wants to make changes in his life to do good.
He shares his story with young people to help them avoid the gang culture, drugs and fights he was involved in as a teenager. But he also is passionate about discussing conflict and to show people that anyone can turn their life around with the right support.
I can't imagine he would have made the changes in his life if he hadn't met with James's parents.
This unflinchingly honest account of his journey is part memoir/part manifesto/part cautionary tale about how to help children from difficult backgrounds avoid the lifestyle he led
“Fortunately, I see wisdom and bags of potential in many of the people I work with. This is because within all hardship there are lessons to be learned if we are open to see them"
His parents understandably, had many questions that they wanted to ask Jacob and initially communicated through a series of letters but once he was released from prison they might through a Restorative Justice process in person.
Jacob says that "The two people I’d harmed the most with my actions had judged me the least" and their genuine interest in him ad his future disarmed him.
He has since gone on a transformational journey and wants to make changes in his life to do good.
He shares his story with young people to help them avoid the gang culture, drugs and fights he was involved in as a teenager. But he also is passionate about discussing conflict and to show people that anyone can turn their life around with the right support.
I can't imagine he would have made the changes in his life if he hadn't met with James's parents.
This unflinchingly honest account of his journey is part memoir/part manifesto/part cautionary tale about how to help children from difficult backgrounds avoid the lifestyle he led
“Fortunately, I see wisdom and bags of potential in many of the people I work with. This is because within all hardship there are lessons to be learned if we are open to see them"
January 25, 2025
A stand out! Incredibly powerful espe when you know there's now a play that exists which is based on this story. The appendix alone was far too close to home as Jacob expresses some thoughts on crime in the UK etc.
January 9, 2025
Very engaging story of redemption and the power of forgiveness to change the life of a troubled young person - loved it. The play is fantastic too
May 29, 2023
A guy jailed for a 'one punch' killing documents his road to redemption. I think the most shocking aspect of this story is not the wild right hook that ended someone's life but the grotesque upbringing such louts have on grim council estates. True breeding grounds of hate. In this case that fateful event enabled Dunne to turn his life around and help other people whereas without it he would probably be in and out of prison and leading an unproductive life.
February 23, 2023
This was an interesting read, like nothing I've read before. It takes a brave man to publish a book detailing a crime he commited, let alone a murder. This was Jacob's story of how one night out ended up in him being charged for murder.
It was a really brave thing to do, I appreciate that he mentions the victims parents a lot in the story, and how he sought their consent before he published the story. It's clear there is a lot of guilt from that fateful night and he is most definitely remorseful. A man lost his life and Jacob got 14 months in prison for it, some would say that's not long enough a sentence, it should be a life for a life. I agree to a point, however, I think if a person works with the system and proves they are not a threat to the public, I think everyone deserves a second chance.
I enjoyed the way the book was written, giving and insight to how and where he was brought up, the gangs he got involved with, the bad behaviour as a teenager, to the night of the punch, then to document how he has turned his life around and what he is now doing to help others giving talks in prisons and schools to highlight the things he has dealt with. I liked how he carried out restorative justice and actually met the parents of the victim, and particularly he said "The Two People I had harmed the most, judged me the least". I thought that was a great thing to say because he was right, when they could have completely turned their backs to him and wanted nothing to do with him, they didn't. They met him, they asked him lots of questions and they wanted him to better himself, and I think that's also very brave of the couple to do.
A really interesting read.
It was a really brave thing to do, I appreciate that he mentions the victims parents a lot in the story, and how he sought their consent before he published the story. It's clear there is a lot of guilt from that fateful night and he is most definitely remorseful. A man lost his life and Jacob got 14 months in prison for it, some would say that's not long enough a sentence, it should be a life for a life. I agree to a point, however, I think if a person works with the system and proves they are not a threat to the public, I think everyone deserves a second chance.
I enjoyed the way the book was written, giving and insight to how and where he was brought up, the gangs he got involved with, the bad behaviour as a teenager, to the night of the punch, then to document how he has turned his life around and what he is now doing to help others giving talks in prisons and schools to highlight the things he has dealt with. I liked how he carried out restorative justice and actually met the parents of the victim, and particularly he said "The Two People I had harmed the most, judged me the least". I thought that was a great thing to say because he was right, when they could have completely turned their backs to him and wanted nothing to do with him, they didn't. They met him, they asked him lots of questions and they wanted him to better himself, and I think that's also very brave of the couple to do.
A really interesting read.
May 22, 2024
In case it has escaped the attention of fellow readers, there is a ghost writer vaguely mentioned in the acknowledgements, Mark Eglinton. While it IS Jacob Dunne's remarkable story, the disparity between the way he speaks and how clean and brilliant the book is, there is an obvious ghost who crafted this story into the marvel that it has become. Nothing wrong with a ghost but if it is Mark Eglinton mentioned or someone else and Dunne accepts all the praise for "writing the book," I just think that's pretty low of him and makes me question how far this guy has truly come. The real champions of the story are the victim's parents. I strongly recommend this incredibly written book. I took away one star from the review because the Catch-22 bothers me that Dunne is dining out on his crime but on the other hand it's a story that needs to be told and that he takes full credit in public for a book he clearly did not write on his own. But it is definitely a book worth buying, ruminating and hopefully is a catalyst for personal change in attitude and compassion and a tool for broader public change. Perhaps even to join in a wave of citizens who want ourselves and our education and political system to do better by people and stop perpetuating a system that breeds the conditions in which Dunne and so many others grow up.
And mostly, to honour the life lost and his incredible parents and create change so that promising people aren't taken away from us.
And mostly, to honour the life lost and his incredible parents and create change so that promising people aren't taken away from us.
April 22, 2025
Right from Wrong follows the life of Jacob Dunne, who was jailed for manslaughter after killing James Hodgkinson on a night out with a single unprovoked punch.
The book broadly falls into three categories, Jacob’s life before the punch, Jacob’s time in jail and rehabilitation and Jacob’s life now. I found the middle section fascinating. Gaining insight into his psyche in the lead up to and immediate aftermath of the incident; especially as he first found out that he’d killed James was gripping. His experience of jail and journey through the restorative justice process were also engaging, and huge commendations should go to James’s parents for their attitudes in the face of unthinkable pain.
If I was scoring the book on the middle section, it would be a 4 star, but the start and end were more pedestrian. The childhood section was perhaps needed to fully tell the story of how he got to the punch, but I felt the book dwelled for too long on Jacob’s life now, when a deeper dive into other areas would have been words better spent.
Overall, it’s a good book and a story worth reading to better understand how the justice system doesn’t serve its purpose, and what alternatives could do a better job
The book broadly falls into three categories, Jacob’s life before the punch, Jacob’s time in jail and rehabilitation and Jacob’s life now. I found the middle section fascinating. Gaining insight into his psyche in the lead up to and immediate aftermath of the incident; especially as he first found out that he’d killed James was gripping. His experience of jail and journey through the restorative justice process were also engaging, and huge commendations should go to James’s parents for their attitudes in the face of unthinkable pain.
If I was scoring the book on the middle section, it would be a 4 star, but the start and end were more pedestrian. The childhood section was perhaps needed to fully tell the story of how he got to the punch, but I felt the book dwelled for too long on Jacob’s life now, when a deeper dive into other areas would have been words better spent.
Overall, it’s a good book and a story worth reading to better understand how the justice system doesn’t serve its purpose, and what alternatives could do a better job
June 24, 2024
Three and a half, probably - interesting and uplifting true story, but could have been written by a journalist - better writing but also could have interviewed others mentioned for their take on it all? And should have ended, I think, at the point the restorative justice element ended as the rest of the book was just a list of beliefs and changes with no real ideas about how they should be enacted…
March 22, 2025
After watching the play Punch I was inspired to read this real life account of Jacob Dunne, who through restorative justice turned his life around after killing someone on a night out in Nottingham. Being set in The Meadows where I had my first teaching job made this relatable.
A real look inside prison culture, criminology, social needs, and restorative approaches to resolving conflict in the community.
A real look inside prison culture, criminology, social needs, and restorative approaches to resolving conflict in the community.
September 18, 2025
2.75 stars
Interesting to hear from the perspective of the person who killed a stranger through one punch and how he benefitted from restorative justice. Discussed the challenges he had once released from prison and acknowledge how his actions affected others. As well I liked the section of the book that the author wrote of the changes he wiuld like to see.
Potentially would have like to have a small chapter from the parents of the victim.
Interesting to hear from the perspective of the person who killed a stranger through one punch and how he benefitted from restorative justice. Discussed the challenges he had once released from prison and acknowledge how his actions affected others. As well I liked the section of the book that the author wrote of the changes he wiuld like to see.
Potentially would have like to have a small chapter from the parents of the victim.
October 11, 2025
I actually didn't finish the last 40 pages of this book because I couldn't make myself. It is unbearable how poorly written and edited this is. The number of typos is offensive. If someone proofread this they should not be in publishing. I started this because I got it for free and I had nothing else to read, and now that I have more books I can move on.
June 26, 2022
Really well written and put together, extremely honest and open from Jacob and shows everyone that you can turn things around.
Restorative Justice and the support of the victims parents I believe truly helped Jacob move forward.
A very powerful book, highly recommended
Restorative Justice and the support of the victims parents I believe truly helped Jacob move forward.
A very powerful book, highly recommended
May 3, 2024
Enjoyed the beginning but felt it tailored off towards the end and became a bit too descriptive of restorative justice methods etc.
June 14, 2024
Amazing story of redemption. Very thought provoking and moving. Everyone should read this book
August 2, 2024
Inspiring
November 4, 2024
Would love to write a review, but I know a lot of people would kick off.
May 23, 2025
an excellent account of a restorative process that helped change the life of the perpetrator and brought the process into greater perspective for many.
Read
August 24, 2025Jacobs transformation is a powerful example of the work Restorative Justice can do. He is living proof of the mountains of data that shows RJ heals individuals and communities
October 5, 2025
Read as a result of seeing the play Punch. Both play and book decent, important and interesting
Restorative Justice and the probation service generally needs more funding!
Restorative Justice and the probation service generally needs more funding!
October 9, 2025
A thoughtful and raw companion piece to the play “Punch.”
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews