Scan barcode
A review by qtpieash3
Columbine by Dave Cullen
5.0
First off, I was smack on the middle of this book when the Newtown, CT shooting happened which made this book all the more unsettling.
Cullen did an amazing job tying together the events of the day - which I honestly don't remember that well even though I was a freshman in high school. The chapters alternated which I appreciated because honestly, this book is a lot to take in and the shifting POVs kept me as the reader from getting absolutely bogged down in the sadness.
Cullen was unrelenting in his pursuit of what happened, especially with regards to Harris and Klebold. Contrary to the media portrayals, they weren't outcasts, weren't goths, and weren't in the Trench Coat Mafia. They had lots of friends, worked at a local pizza joint, Klebold went to the prom, Harris had bedded a 23 year old at 17, etc. Both kept journals and made the infamous but unreleased Basement Tapes which gave authorities amazing insight into their planning (which was extensive) and their thought processes. Klebold was severely depressed but also quite shy and prone to violent outbursts. Harris was posthumously classified as a true psychopath; he lacked normal human emotions such as empathy and remorse. His journal entries are chilling and focus on killing everyone he deems inferior to him.
The boys (which hit me over and over as I read this book - they were so young) planned on suicide/death by cop all along. Also, Columbine was a failed a bombing; the shooting rampage was supposed to occur as the students who survived the bombing fled the school. As for the why, the boys had been preoccupied with violence and macabre writings, but the shift from fantasy to action seems to have occurred when they were arrested in January 1998 for breaking into a van and stealing electronic equipment. To avoid felony charges and possible prison time, they both entered into a youth diversionary program that entailed counseling and community service. Harris graduated early due to his exemplary behavior; the releasing authority wrote a glowing report about his intelligence and bright future. Ultimately, the boys weren't targeting anyone - they wanted to terrorize others and do it on a large scale. Their high school was the perfect venue in their minds.
The parents of the killers maintained a very low profile but I can't even imagine what they've endured. The evidence points to the fact their parents were largely clueless about the boys' plans and thought they were normal teens until their arrests. On the one hand, it's hard not to lay at least some of the blame at their feet, but on the other, their kids were growing up and becoming more autonomous - they made their own choices. They lost children that day, too and are dealing with an unimaginable load of guilt. Additionally, Harris' psychopathy made it easy for him to hoodwink most of the people in his life.
A great, if difficult read. Props to Cullen for pulling together a well-written and compassionate account of 4.20.1999.
Cullen did an amazing job tying together the events of the day - which I honestly don't remember that well even though I was a freshman in high school. The chapters alternated which I appreciated because honestly, this book is a lot to take in and the shifting POVs kept me as the reader from getting absolutely bogged down in the sadness.
Cullen was unrelenting in his pursuit of what happened, especially with regards to Harris and Klebold. Contrary to the media portrayals, they weren't outcasts, weren't goths, and weren't in the Trench Coat Mafia. They had lots of friends, worked at a local pizza joint, Klebold went to the prom, Harris had bedded a 23 year old at 17, etc. Both kept journals and made the infamous but unreleased Basement Tapes which gave authorities amazing insight into their planning (which was extensive) and their thought processes. Klebold was severely depressed but also quite shy and prone to violent outbursts. Harris was posthumously classified as a true psychopath; he lacked normal human emotions such as empathy and remorse. His journal entries are chilling and focus on killing everyone he deems inferior to him.
The boys (which hit me over and over as I read this book - they were so young) planned on suicide/death by cop all along. Also, Columbine was a failed a bombing; the shooting rampage was supposed to occur as the students who survived the bombing fled the school. As for the why, the boys had been preoccupied with violence and macabre writings, but the shift from fantasy to action seems to have occurred when they were arrested in January 1998 for breaking into a van and stealing electronic equipment. To avoid felony charges and possible prison time, they both entered into a youth diversionary program that entailed counseling and community service. Harris graduated early due to his exemplary behavior; the releasing authority wrote a glowing report about his intelligence and bright future. Ultimately, the boys weren't targeting anyone - they wanted to terrorize others and do it on a large scale. Their high school was the perfect venue in their minds.
The parents of the killers maintained a very low profile but I can't even imagine what they've endured. The evidence points to the fact their parents were largely clueless about the boys' plans and thought they were normal teens until their arrests. On the one hand, it's hard not to lay at least some of the blame at their feet, but on the other, their kids were growing up and becoming more autonomous - they made their own choices. They lost children that day, too and are dealing with an unimaginable load of guilt. Additionally, Harris' psychopathy made it easy for him to hoodwink most of the people in his life.
A great, if difficult read. Props to Cullen for pulling together a well-written and compassionate account of 4.20.1999.