Waco

A Survivor's Story

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Waco

By: David Thibodeau, Leon Whiteson, Aviva Layton

Narrated by: Robert Fass

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About this listen

The basis of the celebrated Paramount Network miniseries starring Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch -- Waco is the critically-acclaimed, first person account of the siege by Branch Davidian survivor, David Thibodeau.

Twenty-five years ago, the FBI staged a deadly raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco. Texas. David Thibodeau survived to tell the story.

When he first met the man who called himself David Koresh, David Thibodeau was a drummer in a local a rock band. Though he had never been religious in the slightest, Thibodeau gradually became a follower and moved to the Branch Davidian compound in Waco. He remained there until April 19, 1993, when the compound was stormed and burned to the ground after a 51-day standoff with government authorities.

In this compelling account -- now with an updated epilogue that revisits remaining survivors--Thibodeau explores why so many people came to believe that Koresh was divinely inspired. We meet the men, women, and children of Mt. Carmel. We get inside the day-to-day life of the community. We also understand Thibodeau's brutally honest assessment of the United States government's actions. The result is a memoir that reads like a thriller, with each page taking us closer to the eventual inferno.

Americas

Historical

Religious Studies

United States

Crime

Murder

Survival

Government

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Critic reviews

"An extraordinary account of one of the most shameful episodes in recent American history. I wish that everyone in the country could read this book."
—Howard Zinn

"This book gives a rare glimpse of life at Mount Carmel and an account of how that attack contrasts with the 'official' government version. With the renewed interest in this siege, this book is recommended for public libraries."
—School Library Journal

"This narrative defies many of our media-mediated preconceptions of Koresh's followers."
—Booklist

"Thibodeau, one of only four Branch Davidians to live through the Waco disaster and not be sentenced to jail, has produced a surprisingly balanced and honest account of his time as a Branch Davidian. Neither sensationalist nor defensive, this will make satisfying reading for anyone interested in the April 1993 tragedy."
—Kirkus Review

"A disquieting portrait of a religious community and its enigmatic leader."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Honest... [about] whether the excessive force used by our government against American citizens was really necessary."—Lincoln Star Journal

Most relevant

As someone with a genuine interest in the Waco tragedy I approached this book with a degree of caution, and I believe I was right to do so.

Numerous investigations, both official and unofficial have concluded the actions of the ATF and FBI during the original raid, the 51 day siege and subsequent fire were questionable at best, and may have contributed to the devastating outcome. So I'm certainly not here to 'side' with the authorities.

However, this account is filled with bias and contradictions, which while clearly attempting to encourage the reader to feel sympathy for the Davidians, actually have the opposite affect.The author repeatedly claims to have no interest in firearms and no interest in the group's activities relating to firearms, while at the same time stating categorically that they weren't breaking any laws regarding the misuse of firearms. If he wasn't involved, how does he know? When the initial attack begins he states, "I went to get my gun".

He also refers to David Koresh's "statutory rape" of minors as being unfortunate because it contributed to the authorities interest in Mount Carmel and its' inhabitants. It's as if he's saying, I know there was law breaking going on, but why did they come after us?

Finally he objects to the Davidians being referred to as a cult, stating that one of the definitions of a cult is a group that doesn't survive beyond the death of its leader. Well while the Branch Dividians may continue today as a tiny splinter of the Adventist church, Koresh's warped ideology, rejected by both Davidians (outside Waco) and Adventists alike, certainly died with him. Cult? I think so.

The sad fact remains however that over eighty people died as a result of Koresh's megalomania and the failings of the US law enforcement agencies attempts to bring him to justice.

I recommend this book, its an entertaining and interesting read/listen. Just go in with your eyes wide open and make sure this isn't the only text you read on the subject.