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The Debutante
- Narrated by: Jon Ronson
- Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins
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The Debutante
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Summary
This is the story of a Tulsa debutante who, as a result of a series of unlikely and often very bad life choices she made in the ‘90s, found herself in the midst of one of the most terrible crimes ever to take place in America.
Thirty years ago, award-winning journalist Jon Ronson stumbled on the mystery of Carol Howe—a charismatic, wealthy former debutante turned white supremacist spokeswoman turned undercover informant. In 1995, Carol was spying on Oklahoma’s neo-Nazis for the government just when Timothy McVeigh blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people.
Ever since then, Carol has haunted the imaginations of survivors and investigators because of a rumor that had begun to swirl: If her information had only been listened to, she could have prevented the worst domestic terrorist attack in US history.
The question mystified Ronson. In The Debutante, he embarks on an investigative journey to seek the truth about the woman who grew up in a world of privilege and opportunity and whose teenage rebellion spiraled out of control, leading her to extreme radicalization.
The Debutante takes a closer look at Carol’s world, where truth is shrouded and seldom guaranteed. Rare court tapes, diary entries, undercover ATF surveillance audio, and interviews with those who crossed paths with Carol depict a complex woman whose motivations have been hypothesized about for decades. With curiosity and insight at the forefront of his work, Ronson delivers a new perspective on the extraordinary story of Carol Howe.
What listeners say about The Debutante
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Proofreader
- 15-04-23
Gripping investigative journalism from Jon Ronson
Presented in Ronson's thoughtful yet completely accessible and entertaining style, this is a riveting story and a superb example of his 'long-game' journalism. Very cleverly structured and well-paced. I absolutely loved this and really recommend to anyone who has enjoyed any of Jon Ronson's books or podcasts.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 14-04-23
Reaching a bit
I love Robson’s books but I’ve found his audible contributions a little straight down the investigative journalism route. The types of subjects covered might explain this more serious tone, but this has somewhat removed the absurdist quality he brings to many of his books. Consequently for me he falls into the glut of true crime journalism and so doesn’t stand out.
I’m looking forward to another book or audible contribution filled with his unique style.
That said this is by no means poor. It is worth listening to if you enjoy the genre
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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- Shane canning
- 19-04-23
Not my cup off tea
Boring slow no idea who they are talking about l had to give it up sorry not my thing i give i will stick with true crime
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- jennifer eccles
- 15-04-23
Another gem
I don’t think I’ve ever come across anything written or performed by Jon Ronson that I didn’t like. This was just as captivating. I recommend this!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M Hughes
- 15-04-23
Ronson's done it again
I once asked Jon on Twitter how he consistently finds such excellent stories and he replied with just two words: rabbit holes! And he's gone to some mad and unexpected places to dig up this brilliantly told story. Well worth your time and utterly fascinating, thanks Jon for another intriguing tale.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 01-05-23
Refreshing new format
More of a podcast than an audiobook, this was a refreshing way to deliver a story of this nature. Rather than dragging it out over multiple episode and creating drama where there was none, Ronson tells this story straight, with no added fat, and the telling benefits greatly from it.
I listened to this in one sitting (well running, if I am being literal) and really enjoyed it. ‘Enjoyed’ is probably not the best word to use, as it is a harrowing, and at times haunting, story but I was happy to get it going all the way to the end.
One thing that really bugs me about stories of this ilk nowadays, usually done as podcasts, is that they hook you in with the promise of a great big finale, only for it to fall flat, with a “who knows what really happened” sort of ending.
Ronson never promises this. That is the beauty of this format. The story keeps ticking along and because it is an interesting one, you keep listening. You are not waiting for a finale because every part of the story holds something new.
I am not going to lavish this in praise, it was good but not fantastic. I’m a fan of Ronson, particularly after listening to ‘So You Have Been Publicly Shamed’ so I knew I was in good hands, and I was right. In the hands of another, this could easily have been a borefest.
But I am in full support of this format of storytelling. Short and sweet. No frills or phoney dramatics. No multiple, unnecessary episodes and no (the most dreaded of all) incomplete ending with the promise of a second season instead.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. C. C. Stallibrass
- 03-07-23
Fascinating
It’s a shame this wasn’t longer there are so many leads still to search for and either prove or disprove them!
Gripping and thoroughly interesting and very well read!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Clare O'Neill
- 14-04-23
So engaging
A brilliantly researched, written and delivered story about a disturbing subject. Jon Ronson is the best out there.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-11-23
Engaging & absorbing, another great story from Jon
A fascinating story that Jon tells so well. Interesting links between Waco & the Oklahoma bombing & the very real domestic terror threat in the US.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E. Parker
- 18-11-23
Stunning. Addictive.
Just finished listening and I am in awe of Jon’s ability to weave meticulous journalism into a compelling and addictive narrative. I didn’t know much about any of the events and now I’m wondering where to go for more information where the quality will match this.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Gail Jester
- 15-04-23
Interesting but not compelling
I think Carol was a sociopathic person who would tell any lie that got her where she wanted to be. There are many bad people out there who don’t have a connection. This is an interesting story but is just that.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kelli Slitzker
- 15-04-23
Intriguing and informative
Jon Ronson did an amazing job on this podcast and it was very well researched! I wish Carol or her family would agree to be interviewed for this, but I understand why they would not agree to it. I’ve been obsessed with learning about the OKC Bombing and Elohim City and Carol Howe for many years now and constantly keep wondering about Carol and wonder what she is up to today. I loved all of the never been heard before court recordings Jon was able to get to include in the series! I would like to hear all of the tapes he was able to get. I was actually late to work yesterday because I could NOT stop listening to the podcast and was so intrigued by it all. Thanks again, Jon! 5/5 stars!
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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- Jeffrey F.
- 23-04-23
Conspiracy Theorists Unite.
This was such a waste of time, whose only purpose was to push delusional conspiracies loosely built upon speculation and conjecture. A stripper thinks she remembers seeing this person here ten years ago, kind of thing.
This title is also repugnant and shameful to the extent that it takes a truly American tragedy, and tries to capitalize and push imaginary and delusional theories that have never gained traction in 30 years.
Really bad, and sorry to see this kind of crap being published.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Travoward
- 17-04-23
Great short listen
Excellent narration. Plenty of interviews, news excerpts, and other material to keep you interested the whole way through.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Khan Family
- 17-04-23
Ronson story telling at its best + A+ production
A stellar dive surrounding one of the most tragic days in American history. Jon and the team follow the loose threads of what happened around the Oklahoma City Bombing and the role of government authorities and the people involved. Given the complex nature of anonymity of sources, the team did an excellent job with what they were able to gather and told an honest and precise depiction of the events that transpired and the individuals that were involved. Of note, the story was beautifully produced, scored and tempo'd. Strong recommendation for listening!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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- Sheila
- 16-04-23
Just ok
A lot of research and speculation, but not enough of actual facts. It started out kind of interesting. I thought there was going to be more to it, over all it really wasn’t that compelling. It just left me with more unanswered questions.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr Dangerous
- 15-04-23
Interesting story...
Ronson is always entertaining. Was she a criminal? Did the FBI screw up? Regardless, this is quite entertaining. A worthy listen.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jane Alpers
- 22-04-23
Interesting, informative and really well done
I had no previous exposure to the potential conspiracy around the Oklahoma City bombing. I’m glad to now be better informed in what seemed like a well researched and balanced way. The Carol Howe element of the story was riveting.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- DM
- 16-04-23
Smoke, not fire
I feel for the journalist’s decades-long quest for a more compelling story, that wasn’t to be. Which made this a pretty disappointing listening experience.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 15-04-23
Another banger
Jon Ronson’s stories are all very compelling and worth a listen, this is no different. Loved the callbacks to his previous stories in The Debutante, which are also worth checking out. Once you listen to one, you will want more!
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