Rating: 
Summary: Raw, honest book
Review: I'm a 46-year-old former high school teacher with no ties to Colorado or Columbine. I'm not a Columbine junkie--haven't read any other books on the subject and didn't know any more about it than any other American who watches and reads the news. I read this book in three sittings in less than 24 hours. It's a compelling story written in plain, raw prose that makes no pretense to literary merit. I'm perfectly willing to believe that this isn't "the last word" on the subject, that it looks at things from only one perspective, and may even be somewhat self-serving. But so what? What we need to reach understanding is direct, honest accounts from _different_ perspectives, and that's what I found here. Obviously, the author (who was involved in, and scarred by, the event) has been trying to work out his culpability, his feelings, and tell his story--genuinely searching for explanations and meaning--and this book is the fruit of his effort. The person he describes himself to have been will be familiar to most teachers, a part angry, part goofy punk who is both rebellious and thoughtful and bright. He describes the toxic atmosphere of the school. Large high schools can be awful places--he compares it socially to a prison yard, something I have no trouble believing. The main interest of this book to readers, however, is Brooks's gradual discovery of what might be called the realities of adult politics--the inept, self-justifying Sheriff, the injustices perpetuated by a shocked community attempting to assign blame, the understandable desire of the authorities to make it all go away, the efforts of many interest groups to appropriate the event for their own purposes, and, eventually, the kids' rejection by hardened politicians who see it only as a small facet of a larger issue they've already made up their minds about. This is the disillusion we all face entering adulthood, but made brutally sudden and shocking for the author by the murders. He seems to have done a good job of handling it all in the aftermath--although the book describes a teenager, it's written from the perspective of an adult. In fact I hope Brown becomes a politician someday...it's clear that his values have been formed in the crucible of this experience. I picked up this book on impulse, and it's a very quick read, but I'm glad I read it. I may even seek out other books on the subject now.
Rating: 
Summary: The best book about Columbine yet
Review: If you are at all interested in what happened before and after the Columbine tragedy, this is the book to read. This isn't a cold clinical analysis or profile of the killers, this book is filled with stories about the boys told by someone who actually knew them. Disturbing as some may be, it is important for us to see the whole picture. This personal perspective is what is lacking in so many of the other Columbine books. Not to mention what an easy read it is. I couldn't put it down!
Rating:
Summary: should be read by all teenagers, parents and teachers
Review: My 13 year old daughter and I took turns reading this book. I was reluctant at first to let her, but after reading further into the book I realized that all teenagers should read this, as well as teachers, and parents. Everyone needs to be aware of how teasing and bullying in schools are serious and what they can do to a person. Of course everyone that is teased or tormented at school is not going to turn to something like this, but I have always stressed to my kids that you never know what someone is going to do if they are constintly picked on - a person can only handle so much. Teachers need to be more fair with students instead of stereotyping them. Just because some kids wear all black and don't participate in sports doesn't mean they are not worthy of the same respect and interest as the other kids. Parents need to be aware so they can make sure they are able to help their child if they are a victim, and correct their child if they are the one bullying.
Rating:
Summary: Most important Columbine book that will ever be written
Review: Ok, seeing these 2 negative reviews is really making me angry.
I guess these people just can't stand that the truth has come out about their awful little school and the cold heartedness in their community both before and after the shootings.I applaud Brooks for telling it how it really is and refusing to let the lies about Columbine being a land of milk and honey continue.
It takes guts to stand up against a whole community like he has.
The refusal of certain groups of people in Littleton to admit the truth is astounding to me.
But the book is awesome.It should be required reading in schools.
This book gives you the real story from behind the scenes over the last 3 years.It provides you with a inside personal experience of Columbine from a person who lived it.Rob did a great job of helping to pull it all together.
I like how Brooks shared his personal memories of Rachel,Daniel Mauser and Eric and Dylan.It gives a more vivid picture of them as people.
In closing this book is a very important book .It has a message people need to hear. It has something for everybody.
Anyobody who follows the Columbine story will love it, but I think people who are interested in bullying and school violence will benefit from reading it.I recommend it to everybody.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing info
Review: The Truth . . . connects reptitious points with clunky prose, yet is so compelling I finished it in one afternoon. Brooks Brown seems to tell every story several times and still leaves big gaps in his account of life at Columbine before the incident. I never got a clear picture of what it was that pushed Harris and Klebold from sharing day dreams of revenge to executing mass murder.
Rating:
Summary: A scary book...
Review: This book both interested me and scared the heck out of me. I found myself identifying with the life that Eric and Dylan lived more than I wanted to; I understood their pain and frustration all too well. I can't agree with what they did, but I can understand when Brooks points out that Columbine made them. This is the best Columbine book, this is the one that teachers should read and understand if they want to stop this in the future. They shouldn't point to video games, they shouldn't point to the TV - point to themselves and the environment they allow to thrive all too often in schools.
Rating:
Summary: Brooks Brown DOES have answers
Review: This book changed my views on everything that happened with Columbine. It made me think. Brooks (with Merritt's help) did an excellent job telling his story. To me, it has more credibility that any other stories I've heard. He was their friend, knew the families, knew what went on with them in school. It didn't shock me at all when he described the bullies in school because a lot of that happened in my high school. Jocks were given special treatment. Freaks (as they called the alternative people) were the "troublemakers". And parents and teachers looked the other way. I was sickened by the incompetant police work. I had no idea that's how it happened. Brooks' efforts to get the truth out were admirable. This book should be read by everyone. Parents of teens, teens, and especially all the people who blame video games for school shootings. Brooks Brown has an opinion that should be heard. This book should have gotten a lot more recognition and publicity.
Rating:
Summary: REQUIRED READING FOR LITTLETON COMMUNITY
Review: This book is a must read, but I expect that most people in the Littleton community will be so threatened by it, that not only will they not read it, but they will make it worth their while to condemn it. I implore the Littleton community to read this book with an open mind and an open heart. I live in the Littleton community and have for several years. My children have graduated from school and have moved on with their lives. For those of you in the community who think that Brooks Brown is out of line, perhaps he has touched a nerve in you that you would prefer to go untapped. If you find yourself furious with Brown, it would behoove you to pull back and try to gain some insight as to why you are reacting this way. What you find may surprise you. After all, anger stems from fear. What I am about to say is shocking, but it is fact.
A year after Columbine a 16 year old in the Littleton community
received a death threat while at school. The threat was from a
classmate. The classmate called the 16 year old's home. The
parent's were told that their 16 year old would die that very
day. The kid's car would blow up ( it was parked on school
grounds) and anyone within a 500 yard radius would be killed.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept. was called. The kid con-
fessed and was booked with a Class 6 felony. There was no bomb. However, the lack of concern on the part of
the police was disturbing. They refused to search the boy's
home, even though the boy was known to brag about knowing how
to make pipe bombs. The Jeffco authorities were also informed
that the kid had brought a knife to school several times. Two
months later, the 16 year old received another threat. Again th
Jefferson County Police were disturbingly bored by it all. Shocking, isn't it? By the way, the kid was put in the
Diversion Program and transferred to another Jeffco school.
The police could have prevented the killings at Columbine and a
year later they were no more interested in preventing another
one from happening. This I don't understand. There are "no easy answers" as to why our culture in America is
so violent. One problem that does contribute is that adults simply do not listen to the children. We adutlts think we know
better because we are older. It's not too late to start listening
and we can begin by reading this book with an open mind and an
open heart. We owe at least that much to those children who died
that day at Columbine. We owe it to the children who survived
but were left with physical and or emotional scars. We owe it to
our children to protect them. Let's start by being willing to hear the truth, painful though it may be. I applaud Brooks Brown for having the courage to speak up. I
applaud him for his efforts in seeking the truth. It's time for
the adults to follow his lead. Don't shy away from the truth. The
truth is the only path to genuine healing for this community.
Rating:
Summary: This Book is Great!
Review: This book is awsome. The person who wrote it ((Brooks)) explaines where he stood and what went on so well. This totally changed the way I looked at Colimbine. And its so amazing to read about all the things people put the two gunmen through. If you are interested in learning about what really went on, and who was really to blame, then you should really buy this book. I give it a perfect 5!
Rating:
Summary: This Book is Great!
Review: This book is awsome. The person who wrote it ((Brooks)) explaines where he stood and what went on so well. This totally changed the way I looked at Colimbine. And its so amazing to read about all the things people put the two gunmen through. If you are interested in learning about what really went on, and who was really to blame, then you should really buy this book. I give it a perfect 5!
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