The Inside Story of Columbine: Lies. Coverups. Ballistics. Lessons.

by Randy Brown

This is the behind the scenes story of the Columbine tragedy, from a year before the killings and through the entire story, to twenty years after the killings. This book covers many of the unknown details, the cover-ups, the lies, the secrets and the real life story of the family involved in Columbine. If you think you know the story of Columbine, you are wrong. This is the real story of the tragedy, from the point of view of the family at the center of the tragedy.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

635 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Born 1946. Christian. Love to have fun. I have hazel eyes and a smile. Everything else changes without notice. Curious about everything. Now I share.

Reviews

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, yes, Randy Brown has done a lot of work in uncovering information about Columbine and trying to hold public officials accountable for their role in the massacre and the coverup. Also, I have a lot of sympathy for him and his family considering everything they went through because of Columbine.
However, that is not what I’m reviewing. This is a book review, and this book has many flaws. First of all, it’s poorly edited. I can forgive this to some extent due to it being a self-published book, but it still interfered with the reading experience. Not only were there frequent typographical errors, entire paragraphs/entries were repeated word-for-word multiple times throughout the book. The preservation of the “journal entry” format while inserting later additions made it feel disorganized and confusing, since this resulted in anachronisms like Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook being referenced in entries dated before those tragedies took place. The same information and concepts were often repeated many times throughout the book with only slight variation; it could definitely have been edited down from its current length of over 600 pages.
It’s good to see a book that acknowledges that Eric and Dylan were bullied, which is an indisputable fact despite the narrative that people like Dave Cullen try to push. However, the intense focus on bullying to the exclusion of other factors feels myopic. Randy says he only wants to know the truth, but his personal biases are evident throughout the book. He claims it’s an incontrovertible fact that Eric killed Dylan, even though everyone else who analyzes the forensic evidence seems to agree that they both killed themselves. His remarks about mental illness are very uninformed. He says that no parent should let their teenager take SSRIs, and that they should treat depression with diet and exercise and herbs. SSRIs may be harmful in some cases, but in others they are necessary, and Randy is completely unqualified to dispense this advice.
The grand conclusion of the book is basically a conspiracy theory about how Jeffco let Eric and Dylan take a secret plea deal in order to get prosecuted only for the van break-in and not the pipe bombs and vandalism. There is no direct evidence for this, just a few vague “clues” and the fact that people “must be hiding something.”
This book does have a lot of important information, mainly about the incompetence of the police and the subsequent coverup by Jeffco. For that reason, I’d say it’s still worth reading for those seriously interested in researching Columbine (although you can probably skim through many parts of it) but anyone else should probably skip it.

[Katie Lembo · Rating 1 out of 5]

My respect for the Brown family is high, especially when I consider the almost insurmountable struggles they've faced since Columbine. However, I DNF'ed this one and it's honestly because Randy Brown has been known to get on Columbine reddit threads (reddit isn't the best place, I know) and other places and he presents a different narrative than the official. Which is fine, except one of these narratives makes absolutely no sense, regardless of how much research I do, and I found him almost so aggressive and angry in this assertion, it makes it really hard to take anything he's saying into consideration. He and his family have been handed a trauma and life nobody should have been handed. I just didn't feel like this book was actually contributing anything to the conversation, which is sad because if anyone can contribute to the conversation, it's the Brown family.

[Meghan Niven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m halfway through. When I first saw the book I thought, “there’s no way I’ll have time to read it all” but I can’t put it down.
I wish the title didn’t say “Columbine” because so many people need to read this. It’s exposure of the suburban lie and all these bad players exist in every community, not just the suburbs. My family went through something that resulted in my mother being killed, it’s complicated, and Randy’s struggle with the lying police is one that I know. I’ve cried a lot reading this book. What a toxic culture we all live in. This book is about Columbine, the town, and the aftermath of the tragedy, but it’s a wealth of information and wisdom that people need to be made aware of. This is a very realistic account of something that could happen anywhere.
Randy, if you are reading thins, thank you for your fight (and your family). I know you talk in here about your self perceived failures but you are an amazing dad and strong person. You are. People are lucky if they can call you their friend.

The book could use some editing and has repeated info, but I looked past it.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, written by the father of a boy who was accused of being part of the murder plot because he was friends with shooters Dylan and Eric, tells the backstory of a cruel school with a principal who doesn't care and a city with a sheriff who lies and casts aspersions. All you need to know about Columbine is summarized in this anecdote: The author's son was not allowed to graduate until he paid $40 for a textbook that he left in his backpack when he ran out of the school during the shooting. The book had been severely damaged by the sprinklers that had come on during the incident. The school told the author to pay it back or his son couldn't graduate. This lack of sensitivity is what allowed for a school culture of bullying and humiliation, in which only the football team could do no wrong. Members of the football team had squirted ketchup onto the shirts of Dylan and Eric, and there were no consequences. This bullying is what brought about the shootings and the bombing. No one stopped it. This was not a healthy school environment. The author is quite overwrought throughout this book and the responses he received from the school and the sheriff help explain how such a cruel culture can exist.

[Randy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Good reads doesn't even have the right author. If you want to raead the inside story, the real book about Columbine, this is it.

Written by me, a parent of Columbine students with a history of interactions with the killers before the tragedy.
If you think you know the real story of Columbine, you are probably wrong.
This book is very sad, and will teach you about school shootings and preventing them.

Preventing school shootings and violence. That is what is important.

[Denise Shaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long and somewhat repetitive, I was curious to read Brown’s book as he has been so outspoken about Columbine and he has a lot of inside knowledge as he has so heavily researched the topic. And of course, he is the only one with knowledge of what happened before. I don’t know whom to believe. I know a few people who were there that day, and they do not have the same opinions as the Brown family. Still, a thought provoking read. We may never truly know all the answers.

[Mary Flemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Mr. Brown researched the columbine killings from day one. This book takes you through his research and personal journey to find the truth.

[Courtney Wert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inside Story of Columbine by Randy Brown is an insightful, raw, and honest recounting of one of the most tragic school shootings in history. While some have noted that the narrative can feel repetitive or difficult to follow at times, I personally appreciated the unfiltered and raw nature of Randy's writing—it felt like stepping into his shoes and walking through the heart-wrenching journey of Columbine alongside him.

Randy offers a truly unique perspective, as someone who not only knew Dylan Klebold and his family but also had alarming and negative encounters with Eric Harris. This perspective is further deepened by his role as a father of two children who narrowly escaped being victims themselves. His journal-style writing vividly captures the roller coaster of emotions—guilt, anger, disgust, devastation—that his family and the community endured in the aftermath.

What stands out most is the Browns’ unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth about what happened at Columbine. Their efforts to support the victims' families, understand the root causes of the tragedy, and advocate for preventative measures are nothing short of admirable. Randy’s willingness to share his family’s pain and their attempts to warn authorities before the tragedy adds a deeply personal and emotional layer to the story.

This book is not an easy read, but it is an important one. It provides a vital, personal account of the complexities surrounding Columbine, and it challenges one to think critically about the systems and circumstances that contributed to the tragedy.

If you're interested in understanding Columbine beyond the headlines and hearing from someone deeply involved, this book is a must-read.

[Riley Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great point Mr. Brown makes in this book is how to learn about a difficult topic, you need to read/explore all sides of it.

I was first introduced to Columbine during my senior year of high school when I was assigned to read Dave Cullen’s “Columbine” for an AP class. I then read Sue Klebold’s book. I started to read Randy and Brook’s books come 2020 but due to my mental health I took a four year hiatus on the subject. After reading 13 fictional books this year, I decided to change it up and gave it another go.

I have full sympathy and appreciation for the Brown family. This was an interesting read not just because of the subject matter but because of how raw the material was—unedited journal entries dating back 20+ years, for example. I do think it’s fair to mention that some points in this book are labeled as “truth” but could also be interpreted as bias/speculation. Or opinions could potentially get mistaken for truth—example, Randy's opinion on SSRIs. Regardless, as someone going into the Education field, I am content I read this book and appreciate the ongoing efforts it took to write it. I hope nothing but peace & health towards Randy and his family.

[Kb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the journals and writings of a father who had sons at Columbine High School the day this took place. Thankfully, they survived, but this father did nothing more than search for the truth behind the event and why more wasn't done to prevent it. This book has opened my eyes, both as an educator and someone who cares about her students. As educators, keep your eyes openand be proactive; to authorities, listen to the people that spend the most time with today's students.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it’s an interesting perspective on the columbine shooting. You can see throughout the impact this had on the family and how much they kept up to date with everything. It probably didn’t need to as long as it is

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly, nothing ever changes

Twenty three years have passed and nothing ever changes. Thank you for your passion and effort to get to the truth of what happened at Columbine. I’m afraid it is all for naught.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the most depressing books I have ever read, and the best on the case. This was well researched and well written from a parent from Columbine. I admire his honesty and strength despite all of the hardships he endured.

[Brooke Rigby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great source of information about Columbine

I have read many books on the Columbine tragedy, but none are as thoughtful and thorough as Randy's. The actions by police and others are just simply incredible.

[Kristin-Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's some good information in here, but unfortunately also: so much self-indulgence. Publishing hundreds of pages/years of linear journal entries with no annotations or factual corrections was a bad choice.

[Beth Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a lot and still reading it in chunks. After taking a course on school shootings, I started to take a deeper look into this catastrophic day and everything surrounding it.

[Anne L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, heart felt

Things could have been so different.
In terms of the massacre and in preventing future tragedies.
Compulsively written, equally compulsive to read.

[Brittany Haeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of new information I hadn't heard before. I hesitate to say it was definitely longer than I considered necessary and seemed redundant at times, because of the subject matter, but it was a long arduous read. Still glad I took the time to do it.