Waco

A Survivor's Story

By: David Thibodeau, Leon Whiteson, Aviva Layton

Narrated by: Robert Fass

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.

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

Breathtaking!

What did you love best about Waco?

This book, while long, is a very informative and comprehensive narrative from one of the survivors...The recent mini series peaked my interest in reading a book from a survivor's account and this book did not disappoint. I actually enjoyed the entire 13 + hours and looked forward to picking up where I left off.

What other book might you compare Waco to and why?

Autobiography.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the epilogue, that was read by the author.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book! I have been captivated by this story and was hungry to learn more.

Any additional comments?

Thank you, David Thibodeau!!! Brilliant! Although I still have questions, I really think this narrative captured what life was really like in Waco, despite what the media wants us to think. Bravo!

this is what the state is

this harrowing tale is a shocking but typical examination of what the state does; it selects a problem that it boldly announces a plan to solve (if it is a real problem it is usually one that it at least co-authored, but often the problem is illusory) and in the pursuit of solving the problem the state causes destruction that is hard to even account for the vast scope of. sometimes it does this just to justify it's own existence, other times it is as a distraction from its atrocities elsewhere. and nefariously it takes the opportunity to expand its tendrils further into the cracks of the society it infects.

suprising

This really draws you in. whether the author meant it or not you can feel him grow and change as the book goes on. I would suggest this to anyone.

a masterpiece

The content was very well researched with abundant facts and it was very eye opening. It's unimaginable how all this came to unfold. In pursuit of just one person who was easily accessible the US government murdered over 70 innocent people. This is unfathomable. I don't understand why there has not been a retrial and why the government has not been made accountable. The injustice of it all is totally appalling. It's hard to believe that this could happen in America.

Very thorough!

This was very interesting to listen to Thibodeau’s part. I was hooked from beginning to end.