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photoschopp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
lebrunlk's review against another edition
4.0
Dave Cullen provides an engaging account of the Columbine tragedy. His use of a nonlinear plot creates suspense despite knowing the end result of NBK. Many have argued over the credibility of Cullen's tale, due to his lack of involvement; however, I find that it is clear he put a lot of time and energy into this story. Sometimes it takes a third party to see events more clearly and objectively.
Despite this objective nature, flaws include a gross oversight of the bullying argument. While I see immense logic in the depressive/sociopathic natures of the killers, the proper ingredients must go into a tragedy, and by merely referencing without expanding on the effects of bullies on the boys, Cullen loses a key ingredient in the story. For that reason, I docked a star.
It would be interesting to see a further updated story, what with the release of Sue Klebold's book, especially given that Cullen notes his desire to talk to the killers' parents often.
Despite this objective nature, flaws include a gross oversight of the bullying argument. While I see immense logic in the depressive/sociopathic natures of the killers, the proper ingredients must go into a tragedy, and by merely referencing without expanding on the effects of bullies on the boys, Cullen loses a key ingredient in the story. For that reason, I docked a star.
It would be interesting to see a further updated story, what with the release of Sue Klebold's book, especially given that Cullen notes his desire to talk to the killers' parents often.
wizzybits's review against another edition
4.0
Why do we "need" motive stories so badly, and especially so quickly? A horrifyingly report of all things you heard or inferred about Columbine that were later found incorrect, and a reminder that people deal with tragedy very differently.
lizk1's review against another edition
3.0
Liked it, but it didn't blow me away. On a worse day it might only get 2.5 stars.
clarkminimized's review against another edition
5.0
Columbine. The quintessential school shooting. I remember the images of the loner boys in trenchcoats, I remember the creepy footage from the security cameras.
10 years afterwards, journalist Dave Cullen unravels the stories and myths of Columbine. Part retelling of the massacre itself and portraits of those involved, part exploration of the myths that still prevail today despite total debunkings, and part psychological profiles of the killers themselves, all to answer the questions of "what happened?" and "why?"
This book was both harrowing and enthralling. Cullen is very thorough in explaining his evidence, and equally important, he is a masterful storyteller.
Highly recommended.
10 years afterwards, journalist Dave Cullen unravels the stories and myths of Columbine. Part retelling of the massacre itself and portraits of those involved, part exploration of the myths that still prevail today despite total debunkings, and part psychological profiles of the killers themselves, all to answer the questions of "what happened?" and "why?"
This book was both harrowing and enthralling. Cullen is very thorough in explaining his evidence, and equally important, he is a masterful storyteller.
Highly recommended.
meghancortez's review against another edition
5.0
Tastefully and expertly tells the story of one of the most horrendous tragedies to date.
hannahpewee's review against another edition
5.0
This book was captivating from start to finish! It may sound awful, but when I started this book, I worried that it would be a dry, drawn-out account overloaded with facts. Thankfully, it’s not that at all! While it is packed to the brim with information and research, it also features so much emotion and reflection. It makes for a fast-paced read that feels as much as a documentary as it does a dramatic novel.
I can’t help but compare this to In Cold Blood (which I just finished recently), as both document the crimes perpetrated by two men that forever changed communities. With all respect to Capote, I feel that this book handled the nuances of the crime more effectively. My biggest gripe with In Cold Blood is that the horror of the crime felt downplayed, and the killers seemed over-sympathized with to the point that the victims took a backseat in their own murder. Cullen, on the other hand, has a great balance. While he does let us into these killers’ heads and see them as human beings, he doesn’t stray from the awful things they did, and he spends almost just as much time detailing the plights of the victims and survivors.
All in all, this was a great read. Informative and harrowing, I’d recommend it to anyone curious to learn more about this tragic event.
I can’t help but compare this to In Cold Blood (which I just finished recently), as both document the crimes perpetrated by two men that forever changed communities. With all respect to Capote, I feel that this book handled the nuances of the crime more effectively. My biggest gripe with In Cold Blood is that the horror of the crime felt downplayed, and the killers seemed over-sympathized with to the point that the victims took a backseat in their own murder. Cullen, on the other hand, has a great balance. While he does let us into these killers’ heads and see them as human beings, he doesn’t stray from the awful things they did, and he spends almost just as much time detailing the plights of the victims and survivors.
All in all, this was a great read. Informative and harrowing, I’d recommend it to anyone curious to learn more about this tragic event.
aahlvers's review against another edition
5.0
This outstanding nonfiction work is probably going to be the definitive book on the Columbine tragedy. The author alternates Dylan and Eric's background, the telling of the actual events and the survivor/parents views. Some people might be put off by the way the author moves from topic to topic but I am not entirely sure I could have read a straight retelling of the events without having to put the book down so I appreciated the "breaks".
hannahtufte's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
“You can't really teach a kid anything: you can only show him the way and motivate him to learn it himself.”
I feel weird giving this book a rating given the content of the book. Dave Cullen did a great job presenting the facts in a minute-by-minute and year-by-year timeline of the events before, during, and after the pivot point on April 20th. Most people want to know why after a tragedy like this happens. After a decade of analyzing police records, psychological profiles, and the killers' own writings, Cullen is able to give us an answer, though it probably won't make you feel any better about it.
I feel weird giving this book a rating given the content of the book. Dave Cullen did a great job presenting the facts in a minute-by-minute and year-by-year timeline of the events before, during, and after the pivot point on April 20th. Most people want to know why after a tragedy like this happens. After a decade of analyzing police records, psychological profiles, and the killers' own writings, Cullen is able to give us an answer, though it probably won't make you feel any better about it.
allaboutfrodo's review against another edition
5.0
Columbine is extremely disturbing and absolutely riveting. It amazed me how many common perceptions about the Columbine shootings are absolutely wrong. Cullen is an excellent writer and has done an outstanding job of pulling together all the facts. I had trouble putting it down and I highly recommend it.