Reviews tagging 'War'

Columbine by Dave Cullen

2 reviews

savreads28's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Cursing, Death, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Mental illness, War, Animal cruelty, Suicide attempt, Body horror, Mass/school shootings, Racism, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

librarymouse's review

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

I picked up this book after reading Sue Klebold's memoir. This less biased perspective on the tragedy calls into question much of how she characterizes her son. The focus on those who survived the tragedy, alternating chapters between the aftermath and the events of April 20, 1999 shows how varied reactions to the tragedy were, and personalizes tragedy in a way that the sensationalized news coverage of the events did not.

I find it very unsettling that so many pastors used the tragedy is an excuse to recruit people. Whilr I understand the idea that church can be comforting, the ways that they went about it feels predatory.

The actions of the police in terms of not following up on the repeated warnings about Eric Harris, and the willful destruction of evidence and dragging their feet in releasing their report is reprehensible.

While incredibly informative, and thoughtfully written I don't know that I would recommend this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent, Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Toxic friendship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and War

Moderate: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape

Minor: Bullying and Schizophrenia/Psychosis