Ceremonial Violence: Understanding Columbine and Other School Rampage Shootings

by Jonathan Fast

Book Overview

Ceremonial Violence analyzes thirteen school "rampage" shootings--including the Columbine High School massacre--and explains, for the first time, why teenagers commit these tragic atrocities. These cases include: Brenda Spencer, 16, who after shooting at elementary school children for no apparent reason explained to a reporter: "I hate Mondays."Wayne Lo, 18, a brilliant Taiwanese student and violin prodigy, who embraced white supremacist rhetoric...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590200470
• ISBN13: 9781590200476
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Abrams Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Important Discussion

I found Ceremonial Violence both painful and compelling. It's painful because the stories are so sad, centering on children overwhelmed by despair and a raging anger. It's also gut-wrencing to think about the associated terror and grief. It's compelling because Fast's skill at narrative makes violent chaotic events and some of the complex ideation behind them very real and accessible. Accessibility is crucial is we ever are to broaden the discussion to include and more than just police and mental health professionals. A renewed discussion incorporating all the stakeholders is exactly what is needed for more effective methods of prevention to bubble up. It's certainly what is needed if the United States is ever going to achieve a rational policy on gun control. Hats off to Dr. Fast for re-framing the context about school violence in an innovative and interesting way.

Fascinating!

I don't work with teens and I'm not a parent, but I was drawn to this book by its terrible yet fascinating subject matter. With his masterful story telling and his wealth of details, Jonathan Fast made each of these cases fresh. I felt as though I was in each town on the day of the tragedy, glued to my TV screen as the horrifying news broke. Maybe I'm morbid, but I was amazed by how entertained I was by this book.

Brilliant story teller

Dr. Fast combines the very best of story telling and clinical insight into this complex subject. Both his ability to lead us through the tragedies with a sense that we are eye witness to the acts, as terrible as they are, and his observations regarding the causes and possible solutions are remarkable. This is a book that should be required reading for both parents and educators, who need to be able to indentify the behaviors which can lead to catastrophic tragic consequences. I believe this to be a significant work for the clinical community. Tony Aveni Denver, Colorado

If you work with children...read Ceremonial Violence

Once you get past the fact that Dr. Fast spent 6 years researching 13 cases of school rampage and move beyond the fact that he has included 75 pages of References, you should proceed to read Ceremonial Violence. If you work with children this book will provide you with a deeper understanding of that child who concerns you in an eerie sort of way yet puzzles you as to what your concerns may mean. If you work with children this book will possibly make you take a different view of a pattern of behavior that may not have initially caught your attention. If you work with children Ceremonial Violence should be read. Even for us who have worked with children for a number of years, Dr. Fast provides us with another way to put the pieces together.

BOOK CRITIC

Ceremonial Violence is a psychologically compelling, intelligent, fast-paced, fascinating, horrifying look at the stories behind school violence in our country. I couldn't put it down. Thankfully Professor Fast discusses ways in which Columbine-type rampages can be prevented. Should be required reading for all students and their parents.