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Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage

Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage

by Jeff Guinn

Simon & Schuster ·2023 ·400 pages
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Near the Top
I Index
68/99
Near the Top

63/99

Critics' Rating Index

Near the Top

62/99

Readers' Rating Index

Top of the Pile

78/99

Scholars' Citation Index

77/99

Volume of Reviews

80/99

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About This Book

This is the definitive account of the disastrous siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, featuring never-before-seen documents, photographs, and interviews, from former investigative reporter Jeff Guinn, bestselling author of Manson and The Road to Jonestown. For the first time in thirty years, more than a dozen former ATF agents who participated in the initial February 28, 1993, Waco raid speak on the record about the poor decisions of their commanders that led to this deadly confrontation. The revelations in this book include why the FBI chose to end the siege with the use of CS gas; how both ATF and FBI officials tried and failed to cover up their agencies' mistakes; where David Koresh plagiarized his infamous prophecies; and direct links between the Branch Davidian tragedy and the modern militia movement in America. Notorious conspiracist Alex Jones is a part of the Waco story. So much is new and stunning. Guinn puts you alongside the ATF agents as they embarked on the disastrous initial assault, unaware that the Davidians knew they were coming and were armed and prepared to resist. His you-are-there narrative continues to the final assault and its momentous consequences. Drawing on this new information, including several eyewitness accounts, Guinn again does what he did with his bestselling books about Charles Manson and Jim Jones, revealing new details about a story that we thought we knew.


Reviews

"As the author did in previous reports on Charles Manson and Jonestown, Guinn dives deeply into his subject to present a vivid combination of well-researched facts, personal testimonials, and controversial perspectives ..."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Jeff Guinn skillfully examines this complex and terrible moment in American history ..."

Sarah Rachel Egelman· Bookreporter Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Substantial."

Daniel Immerwahr· The New Yorker Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Guinn focuses on the standoff and the myriad bad decisions by the ATF and the FBI, capably tracing a throughline to the increase in anti-government hate groups."

Kathy Sexton· Booklist Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Impressively researched and written with storytelling verve."

Barton Swaim· The Wall Street Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Scrupulous and frequently enthralling, this is a sobering account of a tragedy woven into the fabric of modern America."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Guinn, whose reporting draws heavily on interviews with ATF agents present at Waco, is sympathetic to the agency's rank-and-file."

Quinta Jurecic· The Washington Post Read review ↗ Near the Top

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