Columbine by Dave Cullen

E-Book
Pub. Date: April 2009
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Non-Fiction, True Crime

When Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold left for school on April 20, 1999 it was a day much like any other. By the end of the day Columbine High School and they would be infamous. They walked in with bombs and guns with the goal of blowing up the school, leaving “a lasting impression on the world.” The bombs didn’t go off but they succeeded in committing the worst school shooting in American history.

There were many rumors and conflicting accounts. Dave Cullen takes us through the process that resulted in turning rumors and speculation into ‘well known fact’. The book follows two timelines, the lives of the young killers and starting with the shooting and the aftermath, immediate and long term. Showing how with the shooters dead, the anger and blame turned on their families.

Truth be told, I was not overly familiar with the details of Columbine. In addition to being one of the reporters covering the incident when it happened, Cullen also interviewed the people involved extensively This book is very informative, after the book is done, Cullen details for the reader where he got all his information, who he spoke to or what newspapers he drew his information from.

For a comprehensive view of what happened and the aftermath, what the Trench Coat Mafia really was, and to find out if there were any criminal charges filed against anyone who may have helped the killers obtain their weapons and ammunition; this is the book to read. The is the true account, who Eric and Dylan really were, not the loners we thought they were. I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it.