Gone Boy: A Father's Search for the Truth in His Son's Murder Paperback – June 21, 2011

"If this is the price our children must pay for a freedom their elders enjoy, we need to re-examine the contract."In the 20 years between Simon's Rock and Sandy Hook, this book should have been required reading for anyone involved in shaping gun legislation in America.While the terrible toll guns take on our society is calculated in human suffering, it will be paid in remorse and forgiveness. If the actual cash value of the victim's settlements, the costs of courts and law enforcement were billed back to the companies profiting from gun violence, or included as a tax on the sale of each weapon, it might change the equation.Guns don't have to be illegal. But they don't have to be cheap and plentiful either.We need to re-examine the contract.Amber SmirnowSimon's Rock, '89-'93

As a survivor of gun violence this intricately and artfully composed journey into a fathers heart, soul and mind takes the reader into a world that no one would choose, but the events that unfold do to failures in our humanity, culture, institutions and laws are so well documented that anyone who cares to bend events and peoples actions toward better outcomes can find achievable ways as a citizen to avoid the tragedy the author suffers, and that makes this story very important, because this dad finds ways to acceptance, but not acquiescence.Besides that this is just a damn good book.

I'm glad I finally read it because I had a child attending Simon's Rock at the time of the murdurs. We were all effected although not to the extent of the people who were right there. I liked reading it to learn more of the facts because I had also noticed a lack of information out there about it. I recommend it to anyone because of the recent debate on gun control. He does a good job of presenting both sides of the argument. So everyone on both sides of the issue should read it to get a better understanding of the other side.

Since the Newton shooting I have read a small mountain of books on various school shootings, the psychology of the murderers, the social dynamics that creates them, gun control, and on and on. Some good and informative, many not so much.But this book stands alone. It's intensely personal and honest. No other book has given me insight into how a parent copes with the senseless, violent loss of a child like this one has.Thank you, Mr. Gibson, for your courage and your generosity in sharing your intimate journey toward understanding and in the process helping me to understand too.

Luv luv this book....also the quality of book

This is a book that was written by a high school friend of mine, and he opens up his heart and thoughts after losing a son to the violent act of a college student. This book shows what could have been done to prevent such an act if authorities would act rather than over think. Hopefully, this book and the many violent acts on college campuses all across the country, will help prevent another son or daughter form being "gone".

The tragedy in Newtown took place 20 years to the day after this tragic shooting at Simon's Rock College. A powerful, poignant odyssey of one father and his love for his son. Told simply, with remarkable prose, yet the reach of the book is epical. One of the best books I've ever read.

Very well written tragic event and how to deal with such a loss while preserving and honor one's life