|
|
|
|
|
|
HomeShop at BookSurgeHistoryWorldColumbine: A True Crime Story, a victim, the killers and the nation's search for answers |
|
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Great Read Sep 05, 2009
I had always thought that the news reporting of this incident skimmed over the facts in an effort to get the story out A.S.A.P. This book tells the story completely without the typical news media sensation. Really thorough and well-worded. I enjoyed this account and the writing style immensely. It's subject matter is dark, of course, but for people who want the real story and not the 6PM local news treatment, this is an excellent tome.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
The book to read on Columbine Aug 31, 2009
This is the only book that breaks new ground in the Columbine story. There are many scoops and they each tell us different things. Shooter Dylan Klebold's college essay, never before revealed, has Dylan telling us that he is aware of his problems. The author's backstory in obtaining this document also highlights the attitude of the Klebold family: Obstruction.
The book reveals how Eric Harris was seeing a psychologist (something the Cullen book gets wrong). Eric had his psychiatric medication prescribed by the family physician, and it is interesting to think about whether something got lost in the `chain of command' and family doctors should not get involved in prescribing psychological medication. Of course, neither the psychologist nor family doctor has spoken publicly, but Kass apparently found the documents in a lawsuit filing.
The other investigative work Kass did was researching other school shootings to see how they are connected with Columbine. He came up with some interesting theories about suicide, the suburbs, and the Wild West. Again, I have not seen this anywhere else. Making these connections seems to have involved some intuition and lots of reading.
The book is very well-written, starting with a chilling account of the day of the shootings. But I would argue that the rest of the book and the final chapters are equally compelling. At the end of the book Kass follows the most controversial victims family - the Shoels - as they lambaste the police and other government officials. The public and media then criticize the Shoels. Interesting turn of events, and interestingly, the Shoels spokesman, Sam Riddle, was recently indicted in Detroit on corruption charges (not related to Columbine).
Overall, a good book not only on the writing and reporting, but excellent (and factual) journalism.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Fantastic book! Jul 23, 2009
Couldn't put the book down! Finally an accurate account covering all the areas: a victim, the killers and the nation's search for answers. Very informative. I would reccommend this book to anyone who has an interest in this traumatic event that took place 10 years ago at Columbine High School.
Barb Anderson
0 of 5 found the following review helpful:
COLUMBINE A TRUE CRIME STORY Jul 04, 2009
THIS WAS THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ.FINALLY WE KNOW THE FACTS.TRUE IT WAS WRONG WHAT ERIC AND DYLAN DID.BUT SCHOOLS HAVE TO KNOW THERE ARE BULLIES OUT THERE MAYBE IF THEY DID THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. WAKEUP CALL PEAPLE PLEASE TEACH YOU'RE KIDS NOT TO HATE. IT REALLY DOES HURT!
5 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Factual and Very Good Jun 24, 2009
This is the third book on Columbine I've read in the past few months, following both Dave Cullen's and Brooks Brown's. I think I'm done now.
Kass's book, while not a page-turner like Cullen's, is really quite good, and packed with facts that you won't find in any other Columbine book. Kass interviews a lot of the people who were close to Harris and Klebold, as well as many of the investigators. He even spoke to the parents of the killers briefly (and sent them letters), in an attempt to get them to talk. He speaks of their hypocrisy in wishing to figure out what caused the shooting, yet being totally unwilling to open up to investigators.
The book itself is stuffed to the brim with facts that were not found in either Brown's or Cullen's book. I think anyone wanting to get a good overview of what happened at Columbine would do well to read all three of these books. At this point, I think we know all there is to know until the Sheriff's department releases the Basement Tapes or other information they are keeping secret. (Kass has no love for the police department and their vast cover-up of evidence, and neither do I. It's amazing to me that they tried to shift blame for their own mistakes and refused to release evidence time and time again.)
The only thing I disliked about this book was that it inexplicably does not include an index in the end. For a supposedly more scholarly book to not have an index is baffling.
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
