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A review by wynn22
Columbine by Dave Cullen
5.0
I was born only a few days after the Columbine tragedy. For years, I didn't realize the gravitas of the horror that was Columbine. It wasn't until maybe middle school I understood. Well, at least the partial story. I knew it was a very horrifying day for the nation. But like many of the people at this town, I asked Why? Why would these two kids decide to kill people?
Columbine by Dave Cullen answers this question and more. We learn more about the psyche of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold—what motivated them, what threw them over the edge. We learn about the victims, the deceased and living, and their families—what happened, how they recovered. We learn of events leading up to, during, and after the massacre. All of it is tied seamlessly together to form a narrative that is engaging, horrifying, and informative.
Eric and Dylan are very fascinating. Both came from normal households with normal parents and led normal lives. They were like any other teenager. But both had darkness within them—Dylan had anger issues and was dealing with depression, while Eric was a full-blown psychopath. I wonder whether these two could've been helped if someone had noticed sooner. As the book states, there is no cure for psychopathy, but things can be done to prevent something like what occurred at Columbine. I don't know what to think of them. They murdered some and affected many, yes, but surely something could've been done to prevent all of this.
I found Jefferson County's "cover-up" scandal ridiculous. The police should've handled things in a much more efficient and professional manner. Hiding evidence is not tolerated by anyone. Some of the parents' attitudes after Columbine was appalling too. Brian Rohrbough's actions stand out the most: tearing down two of the fifteen crosses set up for the deceased, cutting down two trees dedicated to the fifteen killed (one of which was actually a victim's, not the killer's), and submitting an absurd text for his deceased son's memorial block.
However, what touched me the most, by far, was how willing the victims and families were to forgive. Not just toward Eric and Dylan, but the parents, the school, everyone. Forgiveness is a difficult thing to do, but it's an honorable thing to do. I'm not surprised that people like Rohrbough are steadfast in their unwillingness to forgive; but those who have a compassionate heart, they are amazing.
I won't get into all the controversies and scandals that took place after the massacre. It's hard to say what is true and what isn't. It's up to personal research and evaluation to determine your stance on everything. All I know for sure is that fifteen people died that day. Thirteen at the hands of two kids who needed help. There were many victims, both directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy. Some would recover sooner than others; some would take a little longer. But standing at the end are those who lived. Who survived. There will be many bumps on the road ahead—murders and tragedies included—but the important thing to remember is to stay strong, forgive but never forget, and carry on.
Columbine by Dave Cullen answers this question and more. We learn more about the psyche of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold—what motivated them, what threw them over the edge. We learn about the victims, the deceased and living, and their families—what happened, how they recovered. We learn of events leading up to, during, and after the massacre. All of it is tied seamlessly together to form a narrative that is engaging, horrifying, and informative.
Eric and Dylan are very fascinating. Both came from normal households with normal parents and led normal lives. They were like any other teenager. But both had darkness within them—Dylan had anger issues and was dealing with depression, while Eric was a full-blown psychopath. I wonder whether these two could've been helped if someone had noticed sooner. As the book states, there is no cure for psychopathy, but things can be done to prevent something like what occurred at Columbine. I don't know what to think of them. They murdered some and affected many, yes, but surely something could've been done to prevent all of this.
Outwardly, Eric and Dylan looked like normal young boys about to graduate. They were testing authority, testing their sexual prowess—a little frustrated with the dumbasses they had to deal with, a little full of themselves. Nothing unusual for high school.
I found Jefferson County's "cover-up" scandal ridiculous. The police should've handled things in a much more efficient and professional manner. Hiding evidence is not tolerated by anyone. Some of the parents' attitudes after Columbine was appalling too. Brian Rohrbough's actions stand out the most: tearing down two of the fifteen crosses set up for the deceased, cutting down two trees dedicated to the fifteen killed (one of which was actually a victim's, not the killer's), and submitting an absurd text for his deceased son's memorial block.
Brian submitted an angry rant blaming Columbine on a godless school system in a nation that legalized abortion where authorities lied and covered up their crimes.
However, what touched me the most, by far, was how willing the victims and families were to forgive. Not just toward Eric and Dylan, but the parents, the school, everyone. Forgiveness is a difficult thing to do, but it's an honorable thing to do. I'm not surprised that people like Rohrbough are steadfast in their unwillingness to forgive; but those who have a compassionate heart, they are amazing.
The hardest part for Val was forgiving them for killing her close friend Lauren Townsend. It was hard to forgive on someone else's behalf. But today, Val feels no ill will toward Eric and Dylan. She'd forgiven their parents even earlier. "Very early on, I understood, I sympathized," she said. "They lost a kid. Eric and Dylan were somebody's kids."
I won't get into all the controversies and scandals that took place after the massacre. It's hard to say what is true and what isn't. It's up to personal research and evaluation to determine your stance on everything. All I know for sure is that fifteen people died that day. Thirteen at the hands of two kids who needed help. There were many victims, both directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy. Some would recover sooner than others; some would take a little longer. But standing at the end are those who lived. Who survived. There will be many bumps on the road ahead—murders and tragedies included—but the important thing to remember is to stay strong, forgive but never forget, and carry on.
Thirteen doves were released. Seconds later, two hundred more fluttered free—an arbitrary number, to signify everyone else. They scattered up in all directions. For a moment, they seemed to fill the entire sky. Then they found one another and coalesced into a single flock, a massive white cloud weaving from left to right and back again, against the clear blue sky.