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  • The Debutante

  • By: Jon Ronson
  • Narrated by: Jon Ronson
  • Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (109 ratings)

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The Debutante cover art

The Debutante

By: Jon Ronson
Narrated by: Jon Ronson
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$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

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Publisher's 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.

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.

What listeners say about The Debutante

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good short listen

I didn’t realise this was a true story when I started. I did enjoy the exploration of this mystery.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So worth a listen

Engrossed in the story. The plot twisted and turned and kept me listening non stop till the end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A well told and interesting story, but hard to follow.

Always enjoy listening to Jon’s work and this was no different. The story is difficult to follow at times, both the timelines and the different people involved. Overall, still a worthwhile listen!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

There is another review calling it trash, I do not agree with that at all. This a short but interesting piece putting forth some questions and information about people potentially involved in the Oklahoma City bombing. I felt it was well done and having read many books about other FBI involvement in incidents, it does make you wonder why they did not do anything.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a great freebie

I discovered Jon Ronson due to audible book of the month for “so your have been publicly shamed” and then again for “the butterfly effect”. This book didn’t disappoint. Thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

Very interesting take on the 90s and entertaining well read something I knew very little about being in Australia.

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fantastic

very interesting story ,highly recommend you have a listen, it won't disappoint. the 3 hours go so fast

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A new dimension to an old narrative

Really fascinating and at times frustrating story. A new side to the bombings. Loved the narrators voice.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent as always

Admittedly I have a terrible brain crush on Jon Ronson (he could read me a shopping list and I would be happy). Still this is a fascinating story, beautifully written with great production values. Can’t wait until Jon Ronson gets the final chapter he wants.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Crious moments, but fails to stick the landing

I generally love Jon Ronson - he knows how to sniff out a weird story, secure good interviews, and construct a solid and compelling story.
This one has moments of these things, but once it finishes you are left wondering what to make of it all. It feels a bit like Jon jumped into a big mystery, hoping to secure more insights, but just got wild stories and weird people and not enough momentum to truly spur the investigation along.
All of that said, it's Ronson and he's a clever and compelling writer and journalist, so it's still well worth a listen, it just isn't his best work.

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