A review by tmaltman
Columbine by Dave Cullen

4.0

I wouldn't rank this book up there with Cold Blood, but it's a chilling read all the same. Reading about Eric Harris made me think of that old line about the "banality of evil." Dylan Klebold emerges as more sympathetic, perhaps a child who can have been saved. The character of Littleton, Colorado itself also fascinated me, as this deeply evangelical conservative community struggles to deal with unimaginable tragedy. The mythologizing of Cassie Bernall is just one heart-breaking example of the stories people invented to try and make sense of these events. Cullen shares Truman Capote's grand narrative vision but has his own smooth, journalistic writing style. This is an enthralling read.