“Thirteen Minutes“ Exposes Readers at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books To The Causes and Effects of School Shootings

A fact-based fiction about one of the nation’s most-pressing issues generated both interest and discussion at a recent book festival in Los Angeles.

“Thirteen Minutes: Death of an American High School” by David W. Guth explores the root causes of a harrowing and uniquely American tragedy, mass-casualty school shootings. At the book’s core lies a seemingly ordinary rural community, the backdrop where such heart-wrenching atrocities tragically unfold all too frequently. “Thirteen Minutes” was exhibited by self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2023. The book festival took place on April 22-23, 2023, at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

“It is my hope that this story, which is based upon research of past school shooting tragedies, might spark a dialogue that will lead to some common sense solutions,” said Guth. “History has shown us that these events can happen anywhere and can reverberate through a community for decades.”

This tale sheds light on Price City, a town torn apart by political and social divisions further exacerbated by the global pandemic. Within its boundaries reside the most powerful man in town and his son, both self-absorbed bullies whose actions unleash far-reaching and unintended consequences. “Thirteen Minutes” weaves a narrative that exposes the intricate social dynamics within a high school. Here, athletes and popular kids reign supreme, while those considered outsiders or loners often become targets of abuse. In the face of adversity, most outsiders and loners suffer in silence, enduring the torment imposed upon them. However, sometimes the silence is shattered.

School mass-casualty shootings have become an all-too-familiar and terrifying aspect of modern life. This book serves as a poignant cautionary tale, offering profound insights into the causes and consequences of these tragic events that uniquely plague American society.

“There is not just one cause or event that leads to these tragedies,” Guth said. “It is usually an accumulation of many factors that result in an irrational and violent explosion.”

It is a story that takes readers on an emotionally charged journey, immersing them in the harsh realities of the world. “Thirteen Minutes” challenges societal norms and compels readers to confront uncomfortable truths. It is a timely reminder of the urgency to address the underlying issues that fuel such devastating incidents.

Order a copy of “Thirteen Minutes: Death of an American High School” by David W. Guth on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information, check out the author’s website at https://snappingturtle.us/.

Thirteen Minutes: Death of an American High School
Author | David W. Guth
Genre | Literature & Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher | Page Publishing
Published Date | October 2022

About the Author
David W. Guth is a Peabody Award-winning journalist and an associate professor emeritus of journalism at the University of Kansas. Guth is the author of “Bridging the Chesapeake: A ‘Fool’ Idea that Unified Maryland” and a coauthor of three academic textbooks and the American Bar Association award-winning Media Guide for Attorneys. His undergraduate degree is from the University Maryland. Guth also has a Master of Journalism degree from the University of North Carolina. He is also a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

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