Newtown

An American Tragedy

De: Matthew Lysiak

Narrado por: Adam Verner

12/14/2012, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut

We remember the numbers: 20 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 with its comprehensive and astonishing portrayal.

This is the vital story that must be told today if we are to prevent another American tragedy in the days to come.

A portion of the proceeds from this audiobook will be donated to the Avielle Foundation.

©2013 Matthew Lysiak (P)2013 Tantor

Mental health in our country is broken – and this book helps to shares why

The book on Newtown not only touches your heart from the parent perspective Of the children and teachers lost, but also the struggle one parent had, Nancy Lanza in trying to get her son help. She gave up on her son, tried to live her own life, and that did not work!

A fair overview

I recently saw some things online about the Sandy Hook Promise and realize that I didn’t really know the details of what happened that day in Newtown. This book has a journalistic approach. And seem to present a lot of information it struck me the similarities between the story and several stories of recent school shooting so unfortunately we’re really not learning.

Sandy Hook, justice to Adam Lanza.

Amazing Plotline, I can't believe that a man would do something so cruel and violent to an innocent elementary school like Sandy Hook Elementary.

Tragedy Superficially Written

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would with caution. This book is not forthcoming.

Would you be willing to try another book from Matthew Lysiak? Why or why not?

No. He is not a particularly good writer and his research is lacking.

Which character – as performed by Adam Verner – was your favorite?

Really? This does not seem to apply.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. This has a bit too much pablum.

Any additional comments?

There were too many times in this narrative, where they said such patent things like - and she/he were highly dedicated blah blah blah - compliment and sanctify the dead teachers. That is not to say they may not have been such people, but if the writer had done better research they could have said it with aplomb. This seems to have been written to protect the guilty and sanctify the victims. It does not ring true to me. What are they not saying?

just incredibly sad

the saddest books I've red incredible writing author did an amazing Job of getting us to sympathize for the victims and all they went through in this terrible situation

Actually a good book on this topic

He presented the facts, some theories, and unlike most authors on this topic he did not advocate for gun control. For that I say it's a must read for people interested in learning about what happened at Sandy Hook.

Excellent book.

It was an excellent book on Newtown and Sandy Hook... I would highly recommend. 12/14 will live on our hearts for forever. We choose love. We are Newtown.

Heart wrenching

The author told the story of all the people involved in the tragedy on 12-14-12, including the family of the shooter. There was much that I didn't know about that awful day, even though the shooting was in all the news, even on the west coast. The description of the children and teachers involved was respectful and well done. I cried a number of times about the lives and innocence that was lost that day.

The reading was good as well.

Inside A Tragedy

The details of one of the most horrific stories in American History. It gives the back stories of the families of both the victims and perpetrators. It also describes the weaknesses of both America's gun laws and mental health system. The great recession of 2008 has reduced this country's spending on mental health by five billion dollars. The only treatment available for mental illness for the majority of Americans is either in the emergency room or the prison system. The pain experienced by the Lanza family as well as the families of Adam Lanza's victims is relevant to understanding the complete loss in all scenarios like this. Until the shooter takes up an all too easily attainable firearm they often appear to be a sadder case than the victim. The story of Newtown reminds us of the lack of control inherent in a country that provides practically no mental health care and a ridiculously easy access to firearms. By far the saddest conclusion is that the future holds a world with even more Adam Lanza's and repeated number of Newtowns.

Innocence Lost

What made the experience of listening to Newtown the most enjoyable?

The word "enjoyable" is an inappropriate description and will not be justified with an answer.

Who was your favorite character and why?

"Favorite?" All the victims, their families and friends.

Which character – as performed by Adam Verner – was your favorite?

None in particular. I was engrossed in the telling and not conducting a popularity contest.

If you could give Newtown a new subtitle, what would it be?

Devil Mother Aids Killer of Children

Any additional comments?

No.