The Martyrs' Torch

Rating:
Summary: Disgusted
Review: I recently read this book and I have to say that I'm very disgusted(especially with the attitude that the author has diplayed). I also think that this author exemplfies why Eric and Dylan didn't exactly like christians and I also personally have grave doubts that any Christians were specificially targeted. I am a Christian myself and I don't like Porter's attitude(especially towards Eric, Dylan and their parents).

The only reason I gave this book one star is because you learn a little bit about Rachel.

Rating:
Summary: Lacks Something
Review: The Martyrs' Torch, written by Bruce Porter, Rachel Scott's Mother's Pastor has some good insights. His intervies with Rachel's brother on the night of the shootings is chilling. There is so much pain and raw emotion displayed. Even the content of his speecha t the memorial service inspiring people to lift the martyr's torch that the title refers to is very compelling. Whree the book starts to drag and lose its bite is when Porter starts to get preachy and give advice. This needlessly enlongates the book and takes away from both the heartfelt stories of Columbine tragedy and the over all quality of writing in the book as a whole. I recommend Rachel's Tears for a life changing book about Columbine and the tragedy of April 20, 1999.

Rating:
Summary: It is time to wake up and this book is the alarm clock.
Review: This is an excellent companion to the other books about the Columbine tragedy. It is also a stirring testimony to how real Christian persecution can be ignored, mocked and even trivialized.

The simple unavoidable fact is that tapes made BY the killers before the shootings clearly show who they hated the most. Had there been any other religious group (non- Christian) involved, I really doubt there would be such a quick denial of who was "targeted" during the shootings. The fact that there is such denial speaks volumes about what really happened. It also shows how nervous some people get when confronted by the name of Jesus.

Pastor Porter is to be commended on this book. It is more than just the story about Columbine. It is a hard look at our society and the depths to which it has sunk. He hits pretty close to the mark in the sermon he gave at Rachel Scott's funeral and a lot of people have heard the call. We ALL need to pick up the torch!