Scan barcode
lorbach's review against another edition
2.0
This was a difficult book to read. Cullen did a wonderful job and it is well written. However, because he did such a good job it was haunting having all the details of both the time prior to as well as during and after the events.
The true point of the book however, I believe was to set straight some of the myths surrounding both the killers and their victims. A lot of what we knew about the incident was shrouded in myth.
The true point of the book however, I believe was to set straight some of the myths surrounding both the killers and their victims. A lot of what we knew about the incident was shrouded in myth.
caitlintea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
bridgett_b's review against another edition
5.0
Engrossing, couldn't put it down. Fascinating to learn the details and that the version of events I remember hearing when it happened was often inaccurate.
apple_juice_octopus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
jennjewell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
pamelaaa_91's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
djrylo's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best non-fiction book I've ever read.
I don't know exactly what I was expecting to learn about this tragedy or the boys responsible for it, but I can honestly say I've never encountered a more gripping depiction of humanity witnessing inhumanity.
This book includes a comprehensive dissection of how the media corrupted the true story of the tragedy; the communities', victims', and witnesses' struggle to heal in the aftermath; and the most relevant investigations into the the seemingly unanswerable question: Why?
The killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, weren't ostracized by their peers, nor did they target any specific high school clique — the media misunderstood and misrepresented their motives. These two boys, one manic-depressive and the other a fledgling psychopath, believed the world had failed them and that they had failed themselves. In response, they planned to bomb their high school cafeteria, kill hundreds of students inside, and then shoot the escaping survivors in the parking lot just outside. Luckily, their final plan "failed" too.
Cullen's powerful writing is concise, informative, and poignant. And the book's structure (its Before & After format) forces the audience to widen their perspective regarding the tragedy's causes and effects. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to better understand what happened at Columbine High School before, on, and after April 20th 1999. And also to those interested in learning about how human nature can lead us to replace our passions and love with passionate hatred.
I don't know exactly what I was expecting to learn about this tragedy or the boys responsible for it, but I can honestly say I've never encountered a more gripping depiction of humanity witnessing inhumanity.
This book includes a comprehensive dissection of how the media corrupted the true story of the tragedy; the communities', victims', and witnesses' struggle to heal in the aftermath; and the most relevant investigations into the the seemingly unanswerable question: Why?
The killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, weren't ostracized by their peers, nor did they target any specific high school clique — the media misunderstood and misrepresented their motives. These two boys, one manic-depressive and the other a fledgling psychopath, believed the world had failed them and that they had failed themselves. In response, they planned to bomb their high school cafeteria, kill hundreds of students inside, and then shoot the escaping survivors in the parking lot just outside. Luckily, their final plan "failed" too.
Cullen's powerful writing is concise, informative, and poignant. And the book's structure (its Before & After format) forces the audience to widen their perspective regarding the tragedy's causes and effects. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to better understand what happened at Columbine High School before, on, and after April 20th 1999. And also to those interested in learning about how human nature can lead us to replace our passions and love with passionate hatred.
ehmannky's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
4.0
More details than you could have ever have wished to know about the Columbine massacre. Cullen approaches the shootings from the perspectives of the murderers, the victims, the parents, and the media. I think what struck me most was just how badly the media covered this story. Nearly all common-knowledge about this attack was fault, starting with the fact that it was a failed bombing and terrorist attack before it was a school shooting. I think a lot of this can be blamed on media jumping with compelling narratives over truth (the Trench Coat Mafia, Cassie and the "She Said Yes" phenomena, the bullying hypothesis--all of which never happened), police incompetence, and white Evangelicals co-opting a tragedy to promote their ideology. I think it's miserable that this was such a horrific event and nothing has honestly changed in the US other than the fact that we've had *worse* school shooting since this happened.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mass/school shootings, Child death, Blood, and Gun violence
writeasiread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death, Child death, Grief, Murder, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, and Violence