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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
Amazing, very thorough and well-researched. I found it upsetting to learn of the massive misconceptions behind Columbine and realize that several of the key details that I recall most vividly were completely wrong. However, I found this book an incredibly fulfilling, and it will no doubt influence how I interpret media reporting during tragedies. This book is a must read for everyone, especially those who were adolescents during the late 1990s school shootings.
This is an outstanding analysis of the events at Columbine. The author displays his thorough knowledge of the subject. His didn't just conduct great research, it is apparent that he was involved. There is the timeline of events (interestingly, not written straight through, but effectively interwoven with other events that occurred before and after the day), an assessment of legends that sprung up around the event, and an excellent analysis of the two boys who committed the crime and what drove them to their actions. Cullen did an excellent job of not laying blame or casting aspersions (except for two people, not the boys) which led to an even-handed telling allowing the reader to think about what happened and perhaps what can be done to help avoid similar situations in the future.
Check out my book review - http://benjaminkwoodcock.weebly.com/the-avalanche-of-books/book-review-columbine-dave-cullen.
On 20 April 1999 Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold drove to their school, planted two bombs and waited for teachers and pupils to flee and be picked off one by one. The bombs failed to detonate and therefore decided to enter the school to cause utter devastation.
For me in 1999 I was 14 and lived in the UK (I still do.) Guns are not legal due to a school shooting of our own in 1994. This event struck me then and still does to this day. It struck me more so after I read Dave Cullen's book. It wasn't sensationalist it is a thoroughly researched book comprehensive in its telling but absolutely heart-breaking at the same time.
Satan, goths, Marilyn Manson and their parents were blamed for their actions. When in actual fact you see the real reasons that Eric Harris was possibly a psychopath and Dylan Klebold was suicidal, probably suffering from some form of mental illness who both hated the world and wanted to kill as many people as possible.
The book is dedicated to those who lost their lives and also Patrick Ireland who survived which should give people hope even in their darkest hour.
'The shootings were an event that occurred. But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life.'
For me in 1999 I was 14 and lived in the UK (I still do.) Guns are not legal due to a school shooting of our own in 1994. This event struck me then and still does to this day. It struck me more so after I read Dave Cullen's book. It wasn't sensationalist it is a thoroughly researched book comprehensive in its telling but absolutely heart-breaking at the same time.
Satan, goths, Marilyn Manson and their parents were blamed for their actions. When in actual fact you see the real reasons that Eric Harris was possibly a psychopath and Dylan Klebold was suicidal, probably suffering from some form of mental illness who both hated the world and wanted to kill as many people as possible.
The book is dedicated to those who lost their lives and also Patrick Ireland who survived which should give people hope even in their darkest hour.
'The shootings were an event that occurred. But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life.'
[audiobook] Leaning 4.5 stars. THE book on columbine, enthralling, detailed, and simultaneously depressing and uplifting at the same time. Learned an incredible amount, and came away with a lot of thoughts banging around in my head. The prose just sucked me right in. Great, but can be a tough read/listen at times.
Gut Instinct Rating: 4
Engagement of Book: 4
Accomplishment/Delivery of Book: 5
Interest/Entertainment Level: 4
Audiobook Narration: 4.25
Overall: 4.25
Engagement of Book: 4
Accomplishment/Delivery of Book: 5
Interest/Entertainment Level: 4
Audiobook Narration: 4.25
Overall: 4.25
A thoroughly researched and deeply-documented description of what happened inside the school, and to a community in the aftermath. Reads like a well-crafted novel, painting a detailed, horrifying, portrait of how two, painfully disturbed, young men grew from angry and misguided to hateful and deadly. Thank god that their original plan actually backfired, or we would be talking about the worst terrorist act in American history, prior to 911. We will never understand how so many warning signs were missed, or how often they are being similarly missed today.
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
This is a must read. So thorough & well written. Read the 2016 because it has updated & extra information.