mynameisvesper's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Really strong piece of investigative journalism! Well-researched and thoughtful about representation of the victims and shooters. It’s not an easy read topic-wise of course, but it definitely reads well.
kaitlyndouglass's review against another edition
5.0
So Incredibly heart wrenching, I couldn’t put it down.
shelbyhenderson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Blood, Death, Mass/school shootings, Cursing, Gun violence, Violence, Suicide, Racial slurs, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
jessmaye's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting read for anyone who remembers watching the news coverage that day and in the following weeks. Fascinating to realize how many things you "knew" about the situation were wrong, and heartbreaking to see how really un-controlled the whole situation was even after the scene was secured (they left two students' bodies laying outside uncovered and unattended for over 24 hours while they were investigating the scene - what?!). Even though it's sad we need it, it gave me as a teacher a new appreciation for the active-shooter protocols and training that law enforcement and education professionals now receive. I found the background & stories of the killers far less compelling portions of the novel than the story of a disaster of investigation & misinformation that unfolded in the days, weeks, and years after the shooting.
jarredactyl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
alisse's review against another edition
5.0
There’s a lot I knew about Columbine going into this book. I was 12 when it happened. 7th grade. It shaped every moment of my school experience from then out.
There’s a lot I didn’t know. There are a lot of myths that surround the tragedy (who were Dylan and Eric? Who were the survivors?). This book gently reveals the facts of that day.
There’s a lot I’m walking away with—a better understanding of this first of the worst of modern massacres, a knowledge of who all of the students were, both victims and killers. But I think the thing that strikes me most is how faith is woven in. How the church responded (and, horrifically, capitalizes ok it) is something I’ll be thinking about for some time. In many ways my adolescent church experience was even more formed by Columbine than my schooling.
There’s a Lutheran pastor who appears as a voice of comfort and reason throughout, and he’s someone I wish I knew. Here’s what Cullen writes of him: “Don wasn’t trying to convert me, just trying to help. And he did.... the biggest impact came from simple compassion. Sensing my pain, plucking me from the crowd, letting me know someone cared.”
May we all be like that a bit more.
There’s a lot I didn’t know. There are a lot of myths that surround the tragedy (who were Dylan and Eric? Who were the survivors?). This book gently reveals the facts of that day.
There’s a lot I’m walking away with—a better understanding of this first of the worst of modern massacres, a knowledge of who all of the students were, both victims and killers. But I think the thing that strikes me most is how faith is woven in. How the church responded (and, horrifically, capitalizes ok it) is something I’ll be thinking about for some time. In many ways my adolescent church experience was even more formed by Columbine than my schooling.
There’s a Lutheran pastor who appears as a voice of comfort and reason throughout, and he’s someone I wish I knew. Here’s what Cullen writes of him: “Don wasn’t trying to convert me, just trying to help. And he did.... the biggest impact came from simple compassion. Sensing my pain, plucking me from the crowd, letting me know someone cared.”
May we all be like that a bit more.
christiek's review against another edition
3.0
Certainly interesting and surprising. Depressing how many things went wrong in this tragedy and its aftermath. But I am not sure why fellow readers describe it as so good. It still makes me uncomfortable to get satisfaction or reading pleasure (I definitely read for pleasure if not always for entertainment) from this topic and I never wanted to get to know these boys. Cullen's Parkland is due to come out in a few months and I can't help but wonder why so quickly. So much of this book developed in the years and years following the event, and I can't help wondering what all Cullen is sacrificing to get out ahead of the Parkland publishing pack. I can't imagine it'll be half as thoughtful, comprehensive or illuminating as this one considering the work and settling still to be done in Florida.
olddatainadeadmachine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
5.0
one of my favourite books (normal)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Mass/school shootings, Death, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Injury/injury detail, Hate crime, and Medical trauma
nanvdand's review against another edition
5.0
I hesitated starting this book - wasn't sure I could handle reading about this well known tragedy. But the positive reviews and my strong desire to gain a better understanding of what drives killers to perpetrate this type of crime goaded me on. I'm so glad I did. Mr. Cullen does an excellent job of documenting what happened before, during, and after without preaching to his audience.
For me, the description of what drives a psychopathic person (Eric Harris) to cause such mayhem was extremely enlightening. It really helped me to better understand psychopathy and the related behaviors.
In this most recent edition there is an epilogue (written within the last few years) which is the only place where the author inserts himself into the story. He summarizes areas that we, as a country and a culture, can improve upon to possibly minimize future occurrences but he doesn't dwell on one particular solution - gun control, teen depression, or the press's culpability - but rather discusses all three.
This is a fascinating book for someone who wants to gain a better understanding of such an event. It may not be for everyone, though; at times it is heart wrenching. It is never boring and, in fact, there were times I couldn't read it at night.
For me, the description of what drives a psychopathic person (Eric Harris) to cause such mayhem was extremely enlightening. It really helped me to better understand psychopathy and the related behaviors.
In this most recent edition there is an epilogue (written within the last few years) which is the only place where the author inserts himself into the story. He summarizes areas that we, as a country and a culture, can improve upon to possibly minimize future occurrences but he doesn't dwell on one particular solution - gun control, teen depression, or the press's culpability - but rather discusses all three.
This is a fascinating book for someone who wants to gain a better understanding of such an event. It may not be for everyone, though; at times it is heart wrenching. It is never boring and, in fact, there were times I couldn't read it at night.