Not Another Teen Book . . . .This Time

'Columbine' by Dave Cullen

I realize I've promised teen books, but as a grown up I feel the need every now and then to read an adult book, no not adult as in erotica, adult as in grown up, something of a bit more substance. Don't get me wrong I love the teen books, but for this post we're going to veer to more mature matter. Don't be fooled by the authors last name, he's no vampire Cullen, but he will stun you with his writing. I was absolutely enthralled by his latest book 'Columbine'. It came out this past spring around the tenth anniversary of of the tragic shooting. Now I don't normally read nonfiction, maybe once or twice a year I'll give one a go, but for me nonfiction usually falls flat and the stories usually have a little too much down time to be a real page turner. I was proven very very wrong when I began Dave Cullen's book.

He could have easily painted the faces of the two killers (Eric and Dylan) as complete monsters or just purely the evil. Instead Cullen spent years crafting this book and his efforts get you into the minds of the two boys. You find out what led them to cause this complete devastation to the town of Columbine. He had access to the their journals and websites that have been kept quiet to the public for some time.

The two boys responsible for this, Eric and Dylan, are chronicled over the pages of the book, from the first weapon purchased to the wool they both pulled over the eyes of friends and family. Before reading this I could only think, how could their parents not have seen what was going on? But now I realize that the true sociopath that Eric was caused his family to see no difference in his behavior, he was slightly popular, did okay in school, had friends and a part time job. Dylan on the other hand seemed to be a lonely kid who yearned for acceptance and he unfortunately found that with Eric. Dylan was smart and had a crush on a girl, all seemingly normal teenage stuff, until it went tragic.

Cullen also gives accounts of what happened on the inside that day. His countless interviews with survivors (teachers and students alike) provided a candid and horrifying portrait of what it must have felt like to have your school under siege by two teenage terrorists. The first hand accounts are touching and paint the picture well of those students and teachers who risked their lives more than once to help or save someone inside.

After finishing this book, I realize they were lucky to have so many survive this slaughter. If plans would have unfolded as Eric and Dylan wanted there would have been far less people walking out of that building. They intended to blow up the main exit of the school, so that when it all started and people started to flee they would be blown up right when they thought they'd made it out.

I found this to be one of the best written non fiction books I've ever read. It was engaging and horrifying and despite the fact that I knew how it ended I still couldn't wait to turn the page. I warn you though, there are some graphic scenes in it and if you don't have the stomach to read some violence then you may want to avoid this account of murder. But if you can stomach it, I believe once you've finished you will agree it's one of the most compelling books you'll ever read.

Teen Book Crack gives it ***** out of ***** !!!!!!