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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 Murder Crime Survival Government

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
All stars
Most relevant
As a non-American citizen, I didn’t know a lot about the Waco incident. After listening to this audiobook, I listened to a couple of podcasts to learn “the other side”. It was interesting to compare the two and while I would say that the author of this book is definitely bias and perhaps somewhat blind to the realities, he does make some good points about religious freedom and the power of the government.

Interesting

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The author basically twisted everything putting the cult in the right and accepts no blame for ANYTHING that happened.
It was hard to listen to due to my feeling that the author is still under the influence of David Koresh. And it’s so obviously a cult that I couldn’t believe the author is anything but deluded still.
The performance was excellent and great reader.

An Incredibly One Sided Story

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After doing a deep dive into the Waco Seige for a research project I was guided toward this book. Its an improtant first hand account of a horrible government mistake. Ultimately you will still disagree with the actions of some. But this novel will offer you an insight not considered before.

The other side if the coin

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I found this very informative, and terribly sad. Would be a great book if it wasn’t true. Even though David had a twisted view of what he was able to do in this world and must be held accountable, what happened to everyone in that compound at the hands of the authorities is completely unforgivable and I don’t understand why some of the leading authority officials were not charged for crimes and absolute cruelty to men women and children.

The other side of Waco

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I found this book to be heartbreaking and so sad... Those poor children. Give it a listen.

Wow.

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