A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold Summary
Overview of A Mother's Reckoning
A mother confronts her son's role in the Columbine massacre. Sue Klebold's heart-wrenching memoir, endorsed by mental health experts, reframes tragedy as suicide linked to depression. What invisible signs do parents miss? All profits support mental health research.
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Key takeaways
The Phone Call That Ended Everything
What happens when you discover your child has committed an unthinkable act of violence? On April 20, 1999, Sue Klebold received a call from her husband: "There's been a shooting at Columbine High School." As she drove home, her mind cycled through every scenario except the truth-that her son Dylan was one of the gunmen. By nightfall, police confirmed Dylan was dead. In that moment, she joined the ranks of parents who lost children that day, but with an unbearable difference. Her son wasn't just a victim; he was one of the perpetrators. For hours, she and her husband Tom paced their driveway like "frightened animals" while helicopters circled overhead and armed officers searched their home for explosives. Sue's prayers shifted from hoping for Dylan's safety to praying for his death if he was truly harming others. Just a month earlier, she had told a friend her life had never been more satisfying-a loving marriage, a thriving older son, and Dylan back on track with college acceptances arriving. Within 24 hours, she became "the mother of a hate-crazed gunman responsible for the worst school shooting in history."
The Boy She Thought She Knew
The Hidden Illness No One Saw
The Deadly Partnership
The Warning Signs in Plain Sight
From Devastation to Purpose
What We Must Learn
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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