Scan barcode
A review by devinsf
Columbine by Dave Cullen
4.0
Cullen's book, published in 2009, does excellent work in placing the 1999 attack in its proper context, straightening out common myths (many of which I had assumed were true), and tracking the aftermath over the ensuing decade. In 2020, with school shootings now depressingly commonplace, this book is an important, thorough account of the beginning of this particular phase of what the author terms "spectacle violence." Journalistically, it's a testament to the power of sticking with a story long after everyone has moved on to the next cycle.
However, I would have a hard time recommending this book to a general audience. The writing style has not aged well. In the postscript, Cullen likens his work to method acting: He writes each scene with an eye toward getting inside his subjects' heads, trying to understanding exactly what they were experiencing during the events. Particularly with the two shooters -- but also with several of the victims' scenes -- this leads to a magaziney writing style I might describe as punchy, exciting, or action-packed. The cognitive dissonance was difficult to process. I haven't read his follow-up, Parkland, but I'd be curious to see if he had adjusted this aspect of his work over time.
However, I would have a hard time recommending this book to a general audience. The writing style has not aged well. In the postscript, Cullen likens his work to method acting: He writes each scene with an eye toward getting inside his subjects' heads, trying to understanding exactly what they were experiencing during the events. Particularly with the two shooters -- but also with several of the victims' scenes -- this leads to a magaziney writing style I might describe as punchy, exciting, or action-packed. The cognitive dissonance was difficult to process. I haven't read his follow-up, Parkland, but I'd be curious to see if he had adjusted this aspect of his work over time.