Columbine by Dave Cullen
5 stars
Twenty years ago on April 20, 1999 one of the greatest acts of violence and tragedy occurred on American soil. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were the masterminds behind one of the most vicious attacks ever thought of. They walked into the Columbine High School not with the intention to shoot students, but to detonate a bomb that would have killed more people than any terrorist attack on American soil. The bomb didn't detonate and Plan B was initiated. The goal for Eric and Dylan (predominantly Eric) was to kill as many people as possible and what started as a terrorist attack gone wrong became one of the most violent school shootings to ever occur. Dave Cullen's famous novel Columbine breaks down the myths behind the case. Myths started while Columbine was still under Eric and Dylan's siege. Myths that started after the attacks occurred from faulty memory. Myths that continue to live on despite there being evidence and support to prove otherwise. Columbine is a tragedy that should not be forgotten. It was more than just bullying and isolation. It was calculation and hatred. As a future educator, reading this novel is not only timely to the anniversary and commemorating the lives of those lost (known as the thirteen), but important for me to know. Teachers should know the signs. Teachers should know how to protect students both before this attack occurs and during an attack. Columbine was rife with a lot of mistakes, but this book is an important lesson and what teachers can be aware of and what actions can be taken to protect all parties involved.
Cullen offers a real and striking voice. He doesn't hold back on the choices made, the cover-ups, and the injustices. He paints all of the families as real people who are struggling to cling to something and who need to paint a story to carry on. The writing is raw and packs a punch. It's told with facts and human empathy weaves its way in at the most heartbreaking of stories. The stories of Columbine and all those who have been affected by the tragedy are important. This novel is important. This needs to be read by everyone not only because of its historical impact on our culture and society, but because all that it reveals about human nature.
The audiobook for this novel is powerful and makes the novel feel more like a news report or a documentary. I found it to be incredibly profound and excellently narrated. I also cried a lot. A lot, a lot. Novels like these always make me feel so incredibly empty, but joyful at the hope of humanity. While this story is filled with a lot of decay there is even more in bloom in the lives of those who survived or who are impacted by the tragedy. Read this novel. It's important. You are important. These stories are important. Listen to the voices that weren't always heard.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 5
Plotastic Scale: 5
Narration Scale: 5
Cover Thoughts: Simple and I love the honesty of the photo. Schools are these beautiful monuments, but they are real places full of real people.
5 stars
Twenty years ago on April 20, 1999 one of the greatest acts of violence and tragedy occurred on American soil. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were the masterminds behind one of the most vicious attacks ever thought of. They walked into the Columbine High School not with the intention to shoot students, but to detonate a bomb that would have killed more people than any terrorist attack on American soil. The bomb didn't detonate and Plan B was initiated. The goal for Eric and Dylan (predominantly Eric) was to kill as many people as possible and what started as a terrorist attack gone wrong became one of the most violent school shootings to ever occur. Dave Cullen's famous novel Columbine breaks down the myths behind the case. Myths started while Columbine was still under Eric and Dylan's siege. Myths that started after the attacks occurred from faulty memory. Myths that continue to live on despite there being evidence and support to prove otherwise. Columbine is a tragedy that should not be forgotten. It was more than just bullying and isolation. It was calculation and hatred. As a future educator, reading this novel is not only timely to the anniversary and commemorating the lives of those lost (known as the thirteen), but important for me to know. Teachers should know the signs. Teachers should know how to protect students both before this attack occurs and during an attack. Columbine was rife with a lot of mistakes, but this book is an important lesson and what teachers can be aware of and what actions can be taken to protect all parties involved.
Cullen offers a real and striking voice. He doesn't hold back on the choices made, the cover-ups, and the injustices. He paints all of the families as real people who are struggling to cling to something and who need to paint a story to carry on. The writing is raw and packs a punch. It's told with facts and human empathy weaves its way in at the most heartbreaking of stories. The stories of Columbine and all those who have been affected by the tragedy are important. This novel is important. This needs to be read by everyone not only because of its historical impact on our culture and society, but because all that it reveals about human nature.
The audiobook for this novel is powerful and makes the novel feel more like a news report or a documentary. I found it to be incredibly profound and excellently narrated. I also cried a lot. A lot, a lot. Novels like these always make me feel so incredibly empty, but joyful at the hope of humanity. While this story is filled with a lot of decay there is even more in bloom in the lives of those who survived or who are impacted by the tragedy. Read this novel. It's important. You are important. These stories are important. Listen to the voices that weren't always heard.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 5
Plotastic Scale: 5
Narration Scale: 5
Cover Thoughts: Simple and I love the honesty of the photo. Schools are these beautiful monuments, but they are real places full of real people.
Have you read Columbine? Do you plan to? What do you know about Columbine? What are some documentaries or videos that you recommend? Let me know down below in the comments.
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