Columbine by Dave Cullen

Hello all!

This time around, I am taking a little break from my reading challenge to do something different. Now, there are a couple reasons for you to read: you read for entertainment or to learn something. The last book I chose was to learn something.

I just finished Columbine by Dave Cullen. As one may gather from the title, this book is an in-depth analysis of the infamous tragedy of the shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Cullen's work delves into the events leading up to the attack, the attack itself, and the aftermath.

I must say, I am thoroughly impressed with Cullen's book. My first reason is because he does such a good job at trying to avoid bias. Is it completely unbiased? Not really, but I think it is about as unbiased as you can get when it comes to tragedies such as this. Cullen was a journalist at the time of the attack so he has a very long history and connection with the subject. Cullen doesn't hold back when telling how the media behaved: jumping to conclusions, inaccurate reports, and fueling misconceptions. He doesn't hold back about the law enforcement cover ups and short comings. And he does not hold back in any other area. Cullen was not afraid to show all sides of every entity involved. I think that is such an important thing when investigating something of this importance.

I have read multiple books about the shooting, but all of them pale in comparison to this well thought out, well researched masterpiece. Cullen has a 14 page bibliography of all types of sources, including interviews. He also includes appendices of photocopy excerpts from the killers' journals so you can see with your own eyes in their own hand. Not once did this feel like a gossip blog or blame book. It is informative and powerful.

Speaking of powerful, wow! The imagery is so powerful! At one point, when describing the attack itself, I had to put the book down. I was in tears with just how vividly Cullen described the events. Now, I do see the downside of this. I feel like this could be a trigger to some (though I can't say for certain because I do not suffer from PTSD of any sort so I can't be certain of how trigger-full it might be).

I went through so many emotions on the journey Columbine takes you. I was disgusted by the actions of Eric and Dylan and everything that led up to the events. I was scared and sickened when reading the timeline of the massacre itself. I was heartbroken reading about the survivors and family that lost loved ones. I was mad at things such as Dave Sanders's death. And finally, I was proud. I was proud of Patrick's success and of how the survivors survived and were able to move on. Cullen paints a very strong and inspiring image of the people who survived the massacre.

I was especially moved by his comments on how the students of Columbine High School hated that the word "Columbine" became the term for the attack as opposed to the high school that they loved. I had never thought about it, but before reading this book, every time I heard the word, it was in the context of the attack. I can't imagine how it would be to lose an identity like that. I am very glad Cullen brought that to the readers' attention.

All in all, this was an incredibly well put together and eloquently executed book. It brings to life inaccuracies and short comings with the event that I had never heard before. I give this book an A+ for sure.

#Columbine #DaveCullen #Nonfiction