Columbine (book)
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Columbine is a factual account authored by Dave Cullen and released by Twelve (Hachette Book Group) on April 6, 2009. The book delves into the Columbine High School massacre that occurred on April 20, 1999, concentrating on the attackers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold as well as the experiences of survivors over the following decade. The narrative shifts between the perpetrators' preparation for the attack and the survivors' ongoing challenges, incorporating explicit descriptions of the assault and identifying individuals by their real names, except for one pseudonym.
Cullen dedicated ten years to researching this work. He is recognized for his journalistic contributions to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Times, and The Guardian, alongside his involvement with Slate and Salon.com. His article in Slate titled "The Depressive and the Psychopath" was the first to profile the killers’ psychological diagnoses based on assessments by FBI-hired psychologists. Published on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy, the book remained on The New York Times bestseller list for eight weeks during spring 2009, reaching as high as #3.
The book disputes numerous misconceptions about Columbine, clarifying that the attack was not linked to school bullying, Gothic subculture, Marilyn Manson, or the Trench Coat Mafia. Cullen reveals that the original plan centered on a bombing intended to cause massive destruction akin to a terrorist act. It received widespread acclaim from publications such as Time, Newsweek, and People, with only a small number of critical voices.
Columbine garnered several honors, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award, Barnes & Noble Discover Award, and Goodreads Choice Award. It was shortlisted for prestigious recognitions like the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Audie Award, and the MPIBA Regional Book Award. Additionally, it appeared on more than twenty annual Best of 2009 compilations, including those by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and the American Library Association. The American School Board Journal named it both Top Education Book of 2009 and one of the decade’s finest publications.
Development
In a 2015 essay for Vanity Fair, Cullen credited his late mentor Lucia Berlin as “the guiding force in my work, and my life,” emphasizing her profound impact on shaping this book and his depiction of central figures such as Klebold and educator Dave Sanders.
Synopsis
Columbine is structured around two primary narratives presented in alternating chapters: one tracing the killers’ path toward violence, and another exploring survivors’ experiences after the event, with briefer sections describing the attack itself. The volume contains 53 chapters divided into five parts, supplemented by a timeline, 26 pages of endnotes, and a fifteen-page bibliography.
The pre-attack storyline concentrates on the killers’ high school period. Specialists cited characterize Eric Harris as a classic example of a psychopath, while portraying Dylan Klebold as profoundly depressed.
The post-attack narrative includes eight detailed accounts focusing on significant individuals such as Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis; the purported martyr Cassie Bernall, whose story has been discredited; Patrick Ireland; FBI agent Dwayne Fuselier; and relatives of victims Daniel Rohrbough and teacher Dave Sanders. It also examines how Evangelical Christian groups responded to the martyrdom portrayal.
The book begins four days prior to the massacre with a school assembly led by Principal DeAngelis. Vivid descriptions of the shooting occur early in the text and are revisited through flashbacks throughout.
Reception
Released by Twelve (Hachette Book Group) on April 6, 2009, Columbine entered The New York Times bestseller list at number seven, eventually reaching a peak position of number three and maintaining a presence for eight consecutive weeks.
Reviewers commended the book for debunking widespread misconceptions about Columbine and delivering a thorough psychological analysis of the perpetrators. Stephen Amidon of The New York Observer described it as a "compelling examination" that illuminates the killers' violent fury through "elegantly crafted" writing.
Numerous critics drew parallels to In Cold Blood, including Sara Nelson, former Editor-In-Chief of Publishers Weekly, who regarded it as "an engrossing narrative" comparable to classic true crime literature. Nevertheless, discussions continue regarding whether Cullen’s narrative achieves the same literary finesse as Truman Capote’s work.
Jennifer Senior of The New York Times Book Review refrained from making direct comparisons to Capote but praised Cullen’s method for avoiding stereotypes and delving into nuanced perspectives. She stressed that the victims of Harris and Klebold were chosen indiscriminately, countering prevailing media portrayals.
Janet Maslin provided a less favorable critique in The New York Times, expressing concerns about the book’s theatrical reenactment of events and questioning its promotion as "the definitive account."
In an essay for Newsweek, Ramin Satoodeh characterized Columbine as blending "the momentum of an action film" with Shakespearean depth. He emphasized Cullen’s vivid storytelling and his skill in humanizing the killers while dismantling significant myths.
Awards
Columbine garnered several distinguished accolades, including:
- Edgar Award: Best Fact Crime Book 2009
- Barnes and Noble Discover Award: Best Nonfiction Book 2009
- Goodreads Choice Award: Best Nonfiction Book 2009
- American School Board Association: Best Education Book of 2009
- The Truth About The Fact Award
It was also shortlisted for prominent recognitions such as:
- The Los Angeles Times Book Prize
- The American Library Association Alex Award
- The Audie Award
- Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award (winner announced spring 2012)
- The Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association Award
Additionally, Columbine appeared on numerous Best of 2009 compilations, including:
- New York Times Book Review: 100 Notable Books
- Los Angeles Times: 25 Favorite Nonfiction Books
- Entertainment Weekly: #4 Best Nonfiction Book
- American School Board Journal: #1 Education Book
- Publishers Weekly Best 100 Books
- iTunes: #1 Best Nonfiction Audiobook
- Salon.com: 5 Best Nonfiction Books
- Chicago Tribune: Favorite Nonfiction Titles
- Amazon Editors' Picks: Top Current Events Books
- Amazon Top 100 Customer Favorites
- Mother Jones: Top Books of 2009
These honors highlight the broad influence and acclaim Columbine has achieved within educational, nonfiction, and audiobook circles.
Paperback edition: New disclosures from the killers' parents
The 2010 paperback release of Columbine unveils information about four confidential meetings that included all four parents of the perpetrators, providing rare insight into Wayne and Kathy Harris's perspectives. These meetings are explored in detail within the new "Afterword." Additional context is offered in The Daily Beast article titled "The Last Columbine Mystery," authored by Cullen and published alongside the paperback edition.
The Afterword also provides updates concerning two parents who lost children and one survivor who was injured—Linda Mauser, Bob Curnow, and Valeen Schnurr—highlighting their varied attitudes toward forgiveness.
This expanded version further includes reproductions of the killers' journal entries, an illustrated schematic of the attack plan, and discussion questions designed for book clubs.
Use in schools
Columbine is extensively incorporated into curricula for high school English, Social Studies, and college-level journalism courses. The author created a complimentary Teacher's Guide, along with classroom videos and supplementary resources, which have seen widespread distribution. This guide addresses topics such as adolescent depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and resilience in the face of hardship.
The book has received accolades from educational organizations: the American School Board Journal honored it as the "Top Education Book for 2009" and recognized it among the "best education books of the last decade." Additionally, the American Library Association shortlisted it for the "Alex Award for Young Adult Readers." In 2011, it was nominated by the Illinois School Library Media Association for the "Abraham Lincoln Award," with student voting continuing through February 2012.
Film and theater adaptation
Adaptation efforts for television involve collaborations with Killer Films, Lifetime, and NBC Universal.
Theatrical rights were once briefly managed by producers Kathleen Kennedy' and Frank Marshall, who transformed the work into a one-act drama titled The Library. This play was penned by screenwriter Scott Z. Burns and directed by Steven Soderbergh, featuring a cast that included Chloë Grace Moretz, Lili Taylor, and Michael O'Keefe.
Translation
Translations of the book exist in Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian languages, while versions in Simplified Chinese and Polish are currently underway.
See also
- Columbine High School
- A Mother's Reckoning – 2016 memoir authored by Sue Klebold, mother of Dylan Klebold
- No Easy Answers – 2002 memoir by Brooks Brown, a friend of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
Reviews
External links
- Official Columbine website
- Columbine shooting introduction video – book trailer
- Columbine Teacher's Guide
- Haunted By Columbine documentary short featuring Dave Cullen
- The Columbine Guide – Free online companion for research
- Columbine Student Guide – Resource for students