Summary

Dave Cullen's "Columbine" meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to and following the tragic high school shooting on April 20, 1999. Cullen delves into the lives of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the two perpetrators, painting a complex picture that challenges common misconceptions. The book dispels the myth of the Trench Coat Mafia, a group of outcasts wrongly associated with the killers, and clarifies the misunderstanding that the attack was targeted at jocks or specific groups. Instead, Cullen reveals that Harris, driven by psychopathy, and Klebold, by depression, sought to unleash indiscriminate violence upon the entire school and beyond. Harris's meticulous planning, documented in his journal and the Basement Tapes, reveals his desire for widespread destruction, while Klebold's writings portray a conflicted individual seeking love and grappling with suicidal thoughts.

The book emphasizes the killers' divergent personalities and motives. Harris, a psychopath, viewed the massacre as a grand performance, relishing the anticipation of terror and seeking to "leave a lasting impression on the world." Klebold, a depressive prone to outbursts, struggled with feelings of loneliness and inadequacy, ultimately drawn into Harris's destructive plan. The narrative unfolds chronologically, detailing the boys' progression from petty vandalism and theft to acquiring guns and building bombs. Cullen dissects their twisted logic and reveals their meticulous planning, including the failed attempt to detonate propane bombs in the cafeteria, which would have resulted in a far greater death toll. The narrative also details the chaotic police response, the agonizing wait for parents at the designated rendezvous points, and the devastating discoveries of the victims' bodies inside the library.

The aftermath of Columbine is explored in depth, focusing on the community's struggle with grief, guilt, and the media's role in shaping the narrative. Cullen examines the surge of religious fervor and the controversy surrounding Cassie Bernall, wrongly portrayed as a martyr for her faith. He details the challenges faced by survivors like Patrick Ireland, "The Boy in the Window," whose dramatic rescue was captured on live television, and the Hochhalters, whose daughter Anne Marie was paralyzed and whose mother, Carla, tragically took her own life six months after the massacre. The book highlights the struggles of families seeking answers and closure, the contentious lawsuits filed against the sheriff's department, and the ongoing debate surrounding the release of evidence, particularly the Basement Tapes.

Cullen explores the long-term impact of the tragedy on individuals like Frank DeAngelis, the beloved principal who dedicated himself to shepherding his students through the trauma, and Dave Sanders, the only teacher killed, whose heroism in saving students' lives is juxtaposed with the controversy surrounding the delayed police response to his injuries. The book also details the families' arduous efforts to create a memorial in Clement Park, and the controversy surrounding Brian Rohrbough's inscription, which blamed the school system for the massacre.

In its closing chapters, "Columbine" examines the broader implications of the tragedy, including its impact on school safety protocols and the rise of the "active shooter" response. Cullen reflects on the enduring questions of why the massacre happened and what can be learned from it, emphasizing the importance of understanding warning signs, addressing mental health issues, and fostering a more inclusive school environment. The book concludes with a poignant portrayal of the survivors' resilience and their efforts to heal and rebuild their lives, highlighting the strength and compassion that emerged from the broken places.