Helpful Score: 8
This book was utterly disturbing. I have been fascinated by the Columbine tragedy since that day in April of 1999. I think my fascination has always related to the question of "why did this happen?". The author tries his best to answer that question, although we will never truly understand why these two kids committed these atrocious acts. The author spent ten years researching information for this book, which was quite a feat considering the length of time it took for the police to finally release their investigation report (under court order), the covering up of information, and the initial media blunders in reporting incorrect information which took hold as fact.
I would recommend this book if you want the most concise account of what really happened that day. But I will warn you that reading the details of the killers rampage is difficult. It creeped me out and caused me to have difficulty being in dark rooms where I would invision Eric and Dylan in the corner with guns strapped to their bodies. Not for the emotional or faint of heart. Honestly, I am glad I have finished this book and can now move on to some lighter, less depressing reading.
I would recommend this book if you want the most concise account of what really happened that day. But I will warn you that reading the details of the killers rampage is difficult. It creeped me out and caused me to have difficulty being in dark rooms where I would invision Eric and Dylan in the corner with guns strapped to their bodies. Not for the emotional or faint of heart. Honestly, I am glad I have finished this book and can now move on to some lighter, less depressing reading.
Helpful Score: 4
Could not get enough of this book. I could have read another 400 pages. I confess to being oddly intrigued by these sorts of true life stories -- and especially this one, since it retells an event tragically relevant to my own generation. This is the best non fiction I've read since In Cold Blood, and it certainly borrows from Capote's narrative style. The details are riveting, and I basically discovered that everything I thought I knew about Columbine was utterly incorrect. Since starting this, I've been campaigning to get each of my family members to read it, because I desperately want to talk about it. Five stars.
Helpful Score: 2
As a new high school student in 1999, this event defined those four years for me. Security on campus increased; several students were suspended for wearing trench coats within days of the massacre. I started writing "Massacre in May," a fictional story with heavy Columbine influences, in order to try to comprehend the thought processes of both sides of something so traumatic and powerful as this.
Dave Cullen's book answered every question I had. Eric Harris, who in photos looked handsome and charming, was as such in real-life - but only to further his sociopathic goals. Dylan Klebold, the shy boy with a warm smile, was hiding thoughts of suicide. Three-quarters of the way through this work, I had trouble falling asleep because there were still some unanswered questions. By the end, they'd been answered. Cullen's journalistic style is just as the cover states: Capote would be proud.
To anyone who experienced this national tragedy, I highly recommend this book. To anyone who didn't, read it and understand. Compassion, understanding, and alertness to any warning signs are the ways to prevent a repeat of this type of horror.
Dave Cullen's book answered every question I had. Eric Harris, who in photos looked handsome and charming, was as such in real-life - but only to further his sociopathic goals. Dylan Klebold, the shy boy with a warm smile, was hiding thoughts of suicide. Three-quarters of the way through this work, I had trouble falling asleep because there were still some unanswered questions. By the end, they'd been answered. Cullen's journalistic style is just as the cover states: Capote would be proud.
To anyone who experienced this national tragedy, I highly recommend this book. To anyone who didn't, read it and understand. Compassion, understanding, and alertness to any warning signs are the ways to prevent a repeat of this type of horror.
Helpful Score: 2
I was utterly taken aback by how in depth this novel went into the events of Columbine. Whether you are a fan of the author or looking for more information into the situation, this novel will add a new light to the entire events that passed over 10 years ago.
Helpful Score: 1
Fascinating and disturbing inquest into the Columbine High school massacre and the events leading up to it. The author leaves no stone unturned and exposes a number of details previously unknown to the public. The author also discusses several myths that have arisen from the tragedy and dispels them. A good, necessary book to read.
