Guinn lingers longer on the botched mechanics of the federal government’s handling of the siege, along with the origins of the Branch Davidians and their leader, David Koresh ... Guinn, whose reporting draws heavily on interviews with ATF agents present at Waco, is sympathetic to the agency’s rank-and-file.
Gripping ... Guinn...savors the task of slicing through that fog. He tells stories we thought we knew and makes us realize we really didn’t ... These books are laden with context. Guinn rarely casts judgment; he doesn’t have to. He knows when the facts are damning enough.
Guinn was uniquely suited to write this book, having previously written about Charles Manson and Jonestown. He is steeped in the apocalyptic lore that drives many cults ... Guinn does an excellent job laying out the circumstances that made Waco possible. If the reader is left wondering anything, it’s likely about the fate of the ATF and FBI decision-makers who caused the debacle in the first place. It would be fascinating to know how (or if) these figures reflected on the tragedy in the years that followed. In total, Waco is a compelling if disturbing read. Once you finish, you’re unlikely to fully trust organized religion—or the U.S. government—ever again.
Jeff Guinn skillfully examines this complex and terrible moment in American history ... Guinn does a masterful job connecting Koresh’s group to the churches they were related to, laying out the trajectory of his life, detailing the government’s blunders, and honoring those who lost their lives without romanticizing either side of the conflict. Full of interviews and insights, this book is balanced and objective—a fantastic account that is deeply researched, well written and very interesting.
Guinn focuses on the standoff and the myriad bad decisions by the ATF and the FBI, capably tracing a throughline to the increase in anti-government hate groups. Readers may be left wanting more on the provocative idea of Waco’s continued influence, but overall this is extremely well done and thought-provoking.
In riveting detail, Guinn describes the high-tension ordeal, drawing on a wealth of new information, including several eyewitness accounts. As the author did in previous reports on Charles Manson and Jonestown, Guinn dives deeply into his subject to present a vivid combination of well-researched facts, personal testimonials, and controversial perspectives ... An engrossing report on David Koresh and the endurance of cult culture.
