Newtown - by Matthew Lysiak (Paperback)

About the Book

"In the vein of Dave Cullen's Columbine, the first comprehensive account of the Sandy Hook tragedy--with exclusive new reporting that chronicles the horrific events of December 14, 2012, including new insight into the dark mind of gunman Adam Lanza. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and a decade's worth of emails from Lanza's mother to close friends that chronicled his slow slide into mental illness, Newtown pieces together the perfect storm that led to this unspeakable act of violence that shattered so many lives. Newtown explores the two central theories that have permeated the media since the attack: some claim Lanza suffered from severe mental illness, while others insist that, far from being a random act of insanity, this was a meticulously thought out, premeditated attack at least two years in the making by a violent video-gamer so obsessed with "glory kills" and researching mass murderers that he was willing to go to any length to attain the top score. Lanza's dark descent from a young boy with adjustment disorders to a calculating killer is interwoven with the Newtown massacre as it unfolded at the time, told from the points of view of eye witnesses, survivors, parents of victims, first responders, and Adam's relatives. A definitive account of a tragedy that shook a nation, Newtown features exclusive material including initial misinformation reported by the media and commentary on how this catastrophic event became a lightning rod for political agendas, much like Columbine did more than a decade ago"--

Book Synopsis

A journalist for The Daily News (New York) offers a "meticulous account of the Newtown massacre and its aftermath....it's been a year, and this harrowing book might be a reminder that the debate needs reviving" (Kirkus Reviews).

The world mourned the devastating shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012.

We remember the numbers: twenty children and six adults, murdered in a place of nurture and trust. We remember the names: teachers like Victoria Soto, who lost her life protecting her students. A shooter named Adam Lanza. And we remember the questions: outraged conjecture instantly monopolized the worldwide response to the tragedy--while the truth went missing.

Here is the definitive journalistic account of Newtown, an essential examination of the facts--not only of that horrific day but the perfect storm of mental instability and obsession that preceded it and, in the aftermath of unspeakable heartbreak, the controversy that continues to play out on the national stage. Drawn from previously undisclosed emails, police reports, and in-depth interviews, Newtown: An American Tragedy breaks through a miasma of misinformation to present the comprehensive story that must be told--today--if we are to prevent another American tragedy in the days to come.

Review Quotes

"Newtown goes beyond the sensational news bytes we have become so accustomed to. . . . A vivid portrait of the remarkable heroism shown by those involved in the tragedy, and the sheer horror that occurred. . . ."--Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

"A comprehensive, moving account. . . . A chilling look at Lanza's background and contributing factors. . . . Readers will be hard-pressed to deny the raw emotional gut-punch."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Although this is a difficult book to read, I recommend it highly for the very reason the author intended--to be better informed."-- "Craig Daily Press"

"Illuminating . . . nota tell-all. . . . The Newtown that Matthew Lysiak describes is my Newtown, a town that stuck together and continues to."-- "5 Minutes for Books"

"Lysiak balances perfectly the ordinarily wondrous lives of [those] who were murdered against their killer's depravity. Lysiak is a master of texture, at selecting precise, individualizing details."-- "Salon"

"Lysiak's descriptions are spare and chilling but in no way gratuitous."--Los Angeles Times

"Lysiak's examination of our burgeoning mental-health crisis, and how poorly equipped our health care system is to handle the needs of those who suffer from mental health issues, [is] something of a welcome surprise."-- "San Diego City Beat"

"Packed with beautiful vignettes about the victims and some remarkably intimate details."-- "USA Today"

"The real message of Newtown is clear: it is up to America and each and every American to decide whether or not this is going to happen again."-- "Bookreporter"

"This harrowing book might be a reminder that the debate generated by the tragedy needs reviving."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Well-written, compassionate, and informative."--Books & Reviews