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Waco
- A Survivor's Story
- Narrated by: Robert Fass
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
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Waco
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Summary
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 sounds like a thriller, with each minute taking us closer to the eventual inferno.
Critic reviews
"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 Reviews)
"A disquieting portrait of a religious community and its enigmatic leader." (Kirkus Reviews)
"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)
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What listeners say about Waco
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Braid7
- 02-03-18
A difficult & potentially divisive read.
What disappointed you about Waco?
Authored by a Branch Davidian survivor, I obviously expected this book to have a certain perspective but it comes across as trying very, very (too?) hard to convince. Almost immediately, the manner of writing seems to be overly conscious in its efforts to sway the reader, even down to glaringly obvious word choices to achieve very particular connotations.
From all the numerous accounts released over the years (including from other surviving Branch Davidians) there is undoubtedly blame to be placed on both sides but, rather than a heartfelt account of living through the awful events of Waco, it felt more like a series of carefully constructed justifications and accusations.
One thing that is clear with this book, the author is still very much committed to his "cause" and how much any reader gets from this book will depend entirely on whether they respect him for that or whether they are angered or frustrated by it.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Narration was good, natural & easy to listen to.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- M Baker
- 18-09-19
Interesting, if you can see beyond the bias
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.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alex Hughes
- 23-08-19
Very revealing!
Until now I was only aware of the crazy "cult" line that the media spun. This book has completely destroyed that myth. I've just been left horrified at the terrible injustice of the situation and the corruption on the part of the authorities. Not good for a country which considers itself one of the greatest in the world!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- davehuntuk
- 15-08-19
Excellent - Poignant and Well Written
I've spent the last few months digesting every possible piece of media I can find Inthe Waco tragedy and I can safely say David's book was by far the most eye opening.
A must read / listen for anyone regardless of their historical knowledge of Waco.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DC
- 16-02-19
Catastrophic
An amazing story. My heart goes out to those who perished at Mount Carmel and the struggle the survivors must endure.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-02-18
Essential reading /listening....
Totally absorbing, totally disturbing and totally contradictory to what we were told by a hysterical media out for blood and the lies of a militarised and incompetent federal agency. I don't agree with some of the core values of The Davidians, but the way there were treated is a massive and illegal travesty.
A dark moment in U.S. history.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fred
- 12-02-18
An sides perspective
I listened to this book with an open mind. After all we have heard many things about Waco over the last 25 years and know many things went wrong that lead to way too many deaths, deaths that were avoidable in April 19 1993. This book is written by a member of The Branch Dividians and was at the compound on that fateful day. Too me he tells the story in a candid way that leaves the listener questioning things that happened and why they happened. As a police officer with more than 30 years service with an understanding of how politics and Hubris work within law enforcement agencies can an only hope we all have learned lessons so we never see something this preventable happen again. I say this and I am pro-police and understand decision making can be tough. It worth reading.
27 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kerri Keen
- 16-04-18
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!
12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barrett Francescatti
- 01-05-18
Interesting and Informative, 25 Years Have Passed, Still Unfortunately More Shockingly Relevant Today!
I think this book is most eye-opening because it is a 25-year-old example of the abuse and miss use of government power In the United States. Furthermore, it also is a relevant illustration of how our criminal legal system is politicized. This is further complicated by the fact that the jury verdicts in criminal cases are rarely if ever about justice. Finally, in the context of what is going on today with regard to the issue of the use and the abuse of government power in the United States. I think the book is most relevant indeed. I cannot honestly say we have learned anything from the tragedy that occurred in Waco. As the book illustrates this is specifically but not exclusively true with regard to the federal government’s conduct, contrasted against the American people’s failure as citizens to hold our government accountable, for it’s misdeeds, poor reckless judgment, and it’s criminal conduct. This should concern every loyal American, because the American government is a government based on the principle that the government is constructed of, for, and by the people it is responsible for governing, the American people. In the United States our rights are given by God not the United States government and it is the American people who are sovereign and thus ultimately hold the power not only in the government but also above it as well. The government of the United States in all it’s forms and actions is ultimately answerable to the people of the United States. The average American citizen. This important and vital point is well made in this book. It is one of the reasons this book is a must read.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- readaholic
- 03-08-20
Not sure what to think.
David Thibodeau went through hell, and there’s no getting around that. However, he presents David Koresh as a god like figure who never did anything wrong, aside from raping a 12-year-old girl and calling her his wife. Otherwise, hey! What possibly be the problem? He conveniently ignores tape recordings of his own people talking about setting the fire that killed so many. Instead, he only blames the ignition of teargas as what killed everybody. The narrator was very annoying and exaggerated to the point of sounding both Condescending and unbelievable. Still, it is a horrible and fascinating story .
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Creagan Pearson
- 19-08-20
Needless Death
This book is written from the perspective of a survivor of the Waco massacre.
I don't understand other reviews saying this book about a pedophile apologist. David Koresh was guilty of statutory rape. The author argues so.
The bigger question is why didn't the ATF grab Koresh while he was out alone?
All those people were murdered for a botched publicity stunt.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tre
- 19-05-18
incredible!
This is an incredible story and a very well written and narrated one. I enjoyed it very much and encourage others to read it / listen to it.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steve
- 28-04-18
A story that needed to be told!!!
It’s sad that events like this get pushed aside and forgotten due to the government over reaching and political gains. This and others need to be shared and discussed more often as we are so often blinded by media and social pressures to lean one way or another. You have to search for truths and answers. There are alway two sides to a story. I am thankful David was able to share this. Imagine if he hadn’t survived to tell this tell would we every truly know about the community and the people lost at Mt. Carmel?
6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ct
- 08-03-18
interesting
Such a tragic story. So glad there are now 2 sides to this story now out there.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- night owl
- 03-04-19
Crazy or very clever.
Although this book is well written and narrated, I just don't get the reviews. It may be insightful into the working of these peoples minds, but I can't believe the stupidity of the follower belief in this crazy or very manipulative man. I won't even go into the FBI. Poor David K, it's tough having all that sex, while no one else can. It also must be hard to have God want you you to have sex with little girls. Maybe others can stand all these stupid people including including the federal.goverment.. I regret use of my time ,emotions and my credit.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Taylor Britton
- 28-09-20
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.
2 people found this helpful