In 'Columbine', Dave Cullen unravels the chilling events surrounding the infamous 1999 school shooting, offering a meticulous exploration of the lives of the perpetrators and the impact on the community. He challenges common myths and misconceptions that have emerged in the aftermath, revealing deeper truths about fear, violence, and adolescence. Cullen's gripping narrative delves into the psychological profiles of the shooters and the systemic failures that led to this tragedy. As he reconstructs the fateful day and its long-lasting repercussions, readers are confronted with haunting questions about safety, empathy, and the societal dynamics at play. This powerful nonfiction account will leave you reflecting on the fragility of life and the complexities of human behavior.
By Dave Cullen
Published: 2010
"'We are a world that has forgotten how to listen; we have become spectators, watching our own tragedies unfold without truly seeing their impact on our lives.'"
EXPANDED WITH A NEW EPILOGUE "The tragedies keep coming. As we reel from the latest horror . . . " So begins a new epilogue, illustrating how Columbine became the template for nearly two decades of "spectacle murders." It is a false script, seized upon by a generation of new killers. In the wake of Newtown, Aurora, and Virginia Tech, the imperative to understand the crime that sparked this plague grows more urgent every year. What really happened April 20, 1999? The horror left an indelible stamp on the American psyche, but most of what we "know" is wrong. It wasn't about jocks, Goths, or the Trench Coat Mafia. Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters on scene, and spent ten years on this book-widely recognized as the definitive account. With a keen investigative eye and psychological acumen, he draws on mountains of evidence, insight from the world's leading forensic psychologists, and the killers' own words and drawings-several reproduced in a new appendix. Cullen paints raw portraits of two polar opposite killers. They contrast starkly with the flashes of resilience and redemption among the survivors.
Dave Cullen is an acclaimed American journalist and author known for his profound explorations of complex social issues. He gained significant recognition for his bestselling book, "Columbine," which offers a detailed examination of the 1999 school shooting and its aftermath, combining investigative journalism with psychological insights. His writing style is characterized by meticulous research, compelling narrative techniques, and a deep empathy for his subjects. Cullen's other notable works include "Newtown," which reflects on the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and "Parkland," a poignant account of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Through his writing, Cullen engages readers in the difficult conversations surrounding violence and its implications in society.
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“'We are a world that has forgotten how to listen; we have become spectators, watching our own tragedies unfold without truly seeing their impact on our lives.'”
Columbine
By Dave Cullen
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