It was interesting to learn more about this tragedy, but there are no good guys in this story, which is depressing. A manipulative cult leader doing terrible things to followers plus the severely incompetent ATF led to this massive disaster.
It was interesting to learn more about this tragedy, but there are no good guys in this story, which is depressing. A manipulative cult leader doing terrible things to followers plus the severely incompetent ATF led to this massive disaster.
My April #Bookspin was this captivating narrative non-fiction about the 1990's incident with the Branch Davidians outside Waco, TX. It was well-researched and offers insight that could only be gained in hindsight. My main take-away was that the ATF and FBI did not factor in the group's religious beliefs enough to predict their responses/behavior. Now to see how the documentary on Netflix compares....
@TheAromaofBooks
If it's cult related, sign me up because I will read it.
Jeff Guinn is a great author and he always does an excellent job with presenting truthful information in an accessible way that makes nonfiction fun to read.
Waco gives facts about the Branch Davidan's before Koresh, and I found that really fascinating because it was information I hadn't heard before. I also liked that Guinn focuses on the mistakes made by the FBI leading up to the seige.
I really enjoyed Jonestown and devoured Waco as well. I like Guinn‘s writing style and the research he puts in to tell of past events in history. I remember hearing about the Waco siege but I was a senior in high school at the time and didn‘t pay much attention to news coverage then. Learning the details of this incident makes me ponder society both then and now.
#Booked2023 ~title starts with a W @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen
Wow,I know hindsight is 20/20,how did the ATF think that was gonna work? The operation that launched a 100 (at least) don‘t trust the government people including Timothy McVeigh . Guinns sweet spot seems to be crime w/cult backgrounds .And hey , I‘m usually the first one to defend banned books but the thought occurred maybe if we sliced Revelations out of the Bible , we would have fewer nut jobs . Not only Koresh,think Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell.
A fascinating and heartbreaking story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Branch Davidians, a Seventh Day Adventist offshoot cult stockpiled an arsenal in preparation for a supposed doomsday. The US government caught wind. Y‘all know the rest. Twelve year old me remembers watching this in total befuddlement. I wish I‘d known then how much I would come to love studying cults. Not my favorite Guinn, but I blame my lack of interest in David Koresh.
Can Guinn do any wrong? This master of narrative nonfiction looks at the history of the Branch Davidians and the FBI/ATF standoff that ended in so much death. I loved reading the history of prophecy being passed through two leaders before coming to Koresh, but a very interesting part I didn‘t know was an 19th c “prophet” named David Koresh in FL making claims, and strangely enough 😏 Waco‘s public library had a rare copy of his writing. 🤔⬇️
Am I really up to this? I did really enjoy Guinns Manson book but didn‘t read The Road to Jonestown .Interview with the author on Fresh Air made me do it!