On the first anniversary of the events at Parkland, the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of Columbine offers an intimate, deeply moving account of the extraordinary teenage survivors who became activists and pushed back against the NRA and feckless Congressional leaders—inspiring millions of Americans to join their grassroots #neveragain movement.Nineteen years ago, Dave Cullen was among the first to arrive at Columbine High, even before most of the SWAT teams went in. While writing his acclaimed account of the tragedy, he suffered two bouts of secondary PTSD. He covered all the later tragedies from a distance, working with a cadre of experts cultivated from academia and the FBI, but swore he would never return to the scene of a ghastly crime.
But in March 2018, Cullen went to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School because something radically different was happening. In nearly twenty years witnessing the mass shootings epidemic escalate, he was stunned and awed by the courage, anger, and conviction of the high school’s students. Refusing to allow adults and the media to shape their story, these remarkable adolescents took control, using their grief as a catalyst for change, transforming tragedy into a movement of astonishing hope that has galvanized a nation.
Cullen unfolds the story of Parkland through the voices of key participants whose diverse personalities and outlooks comprise every facet of the movement. Instead of taking us into the minds of the killer, he takes us into the hearts of the Douglas students as they cope with the common concerns of high school students everywhere—awaiting college acceptance letters, studying for mid-term exams, competing against their athletic rivals, putting together the yearbook, staging the musical Spring Awakening, enjoying prom and graduation—while moving forward from a horrific event that has altered them forever.
Deeply researched and beautifully told, Parkland is an in-depth examination of this pivotal moment in American culture—and an up-close portrait that reveals what these extraordinary young people are like as kids. As it celebrates the passion of these astonishing students who are making history, this spellbinding book is an inspiring call to action for lasting change.
Dave Cullen is the author of New York Times Bestseller Columbine. Cullen has also written for New York Times, BuzzFeed, Vanity Fair, Politico Magazine, Times of London, New Republic, Newsweek, Guardian, Washington Post, Daily Beast, Slate, Salon, The Millions, Lapham's Quarterly, and NPR's On The Media.
Parkland: Birth of a Movement 4.7 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
3 reviews.
Anonymous
More than 1 year ago
These kids endured horrors, yet they rose above them and are fighting for us.
preed
More than 1 year ago
In a time when it feels like school shootings have just become de rigueur, Dave Cullen gives us a sense of optimism and hope by capturing the energy and passion of the survivors who have come to understand the power of voting. As a Columbine survivor, I appreciate the message of these young people and Cullen as one of their most effective messengers.
WhirlyG
More than 1 year ago
An excellent following of both the survivors and change makers after MSD.
Captures their strength and rage in the face of a malicious minority of gun-toting policy makers who profit from the fear and power they wield precariously, panicking at the hint of reforms that take that perceived power away.
One year later, the players have changed chairs; the NRA-supported candidates all have new jobs.
MSD rages on. As kids today say, and have been saying for a year, MAKE IT STOP.
★ Publishers Weekly starred reviewParkland. Las Vegas. Dallas. Orlando. San Bernardino. Paris. Charleston. Sutherland Springs.
Newtown. These cities are now known for the people who were shot and killed in them. More Americans have died from guns in the US ...
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