Description
In the Spring of 1993, federal agents raided the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. A 51-day standoff ensued. Known as the Waco Siege, it has become a founding myth of the extreme wing of American conservatism, invoked by militiamen, gun rights advocates, and the alt-right. The leader of the evangelical sect, an extreme form of Seventh-Day Adventism, was David Koresh. Born Vernon Howell, he was a preacher, interpreter of the Bible, and obsessed with the coming of the Apocalypse. A charismatic but highly volatile man, he was a former victim of sexual abuse who himself became a sexual predator on a large scale, exploiting many of the women in his compound. Koresh is Stephan Talty's extraordinary, meticulous narration of the events that led up to the Waco Siege. Drawing on new sources, FBI negotiation tapes, and interviews with family and friends, this definitive biography explores how Koresh grew from a young man to a cult leader, and investigates why the siege has become an enduring symbol for radical opponents of the democratic state.
The true story of David Koresh, the FBI and the tragedy at Waco.
About the Author
Stephan Talty was born in Buffalo, New York, to parents who had emigrated from County Clare, Ireland. He is a New York Times bestselling author of six non-fiction books, as well as two crime novels, and as a journalist has written for publications including the New York Times Magazine, Irish Times, Chicago Review and GQ. His books have been made into two films, the Oscar-winning Captain Phillips and Only the Brave.
Reviews
'A searing account...This well-researched and enlightening book is un-put-downable. * Publishers Weekly *
Koresh reads like a fever dream, with the quality of a timeless tragedy... if you think you know what really happened at Waco and why, think again. * Robert Kolker, author of Hidden Valley Road *
Someday, when this book gets made into a blockbuster movie, you will say that the book was better. * A.J. Baime, author of The Accidental President *
Burns with timely relevance and urgency... will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. * Gilbert King, author of Devil in the Grove *
Clear-eyed and compelling. * Dick Lehr, author of Black Mass *
Exposes not only the tragedy's causes but embers that still burn today. * Mara Leveritt, author of Devil's Knot *
PRAISE FOR STEPHAN TALTY: 'Gripping... A valuable recounting of a lurid and little-known episode in American history' Washington Post. 'Part Holocaust history, part detective case, part spy operation, The Good Assassin is an enthralling book... Stephan Talty paints vivid, often chilling, portraits of its vengeful hero, Mossad agent Jacob Medad' Neal Bascomb. 'Compelling... Talty remains true to his technique, delivering thoroughly researched, engrossing non-fiction in a thriller-like narrative style' Kirkus. 'Talty captures the chilling realities of bloody battlefields, tense war rooms and besieged London... Elegantly crafted' Wall Street Journal. 'Thrilling... An extraordinary crime story with a genuine American hero too long forgotten' * Dallas Morning News *
Book Information
ISBN 9781801102674
Author Stephan Talty
Format Hardback
Page Count 464
Imprint Apollo
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
The true story of David Koresh, the FBI and the tragedy at Waco.
About the Author
Stephan Talty was born in Buffalo, New York, to parents who had emigrated from County Clare, Ireland. He is a New York Times bestselling author of six non-fiction books, as well as two crime novels, and as a journalist has written for publications including the New York Times Magazine, Irish Times, Chicago Review and GQ. His books have been made into two films, the Oscar-winning Captain Phillips and Only the Brave.
Reviews
'A searing account...This well-researched and enlightening book is un-put-downable. * Publishers Weekly *
Koresh reads like a fever dream, with the quality of a timeless tragedy... if you think you know what really happened at Waco and why, think again. * Robert Kolker, author of Hidden Valley Road *
Someday, when this book gets made into a blockbuster movie, you will say that the book was better. * A.J. Baime, author of The Accidental President *
Burns with timely relevance and urgency... will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. * Gilbert King, author of Devil in the Grove *
Clear-eyed and compelling. * Dick Lehr, author of Black Mass *
Exposes not only the tragedy's causes but embers that still burn today. * Mara Leveritt, author of Devil's Knot *
PRAISE FOR STEPHAN TALTY: 'Gripping... A valuable recounting of a lurid and little-known episode in American history' Washington Post. 'Part Holocaust history, part detective case, part spy operation, The Good Assassin is an enthralling book... Stephan Talty paints vivid, often chilling, portraits of its vengeful hero, Mossad agent Jacob Medad' Neal Bascomb. 'Compelling... Talty remains true to his technique, delivering thoroughly researched, engrossing non-fiction in a thriller-like narrative style' Kirkus. 'Talty captures the chilling realities of bloody battlefields, tense war rooms and besieged London... Elegantly crafted' Wall Street Journal. 'Thrilling... An extraordinary crime story with a genuine American hero too long forgotten' * Dallas Morning News *
Book Information
ISBN 9781801102674
Author Stephan Talty
Format Hardback
Page Count 464
Imprint Apollo
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
