Waco Rising: David Koresh, the FBI, and the Birth of America’s Modern Militias

Journalist Cook (The Burning Blue) offers a fast-paced if sketchy account of the deadly 51-day showdown between the U.S. government and members of the Branch Davidian religious sect in 1993. Drawing from extensive interviews with surviving group members, Cook is at his strongest when discussing the day-to-day life of the Davidians under their unstable, self-appointed prophet, David Koresh. But the book’s account of the standoff, which began in a shoot-out when ATF agents attempted to seize weapons stockpiled at the Davidians’ compound in Waco, Tex., lacks some critical perspective: Cook cites survivor testimony to suggest that Koresh was sincere about ending the standoff in the next few days, despite having already broken his promises to the FBI once, and had no intention of manufacturing “a repeat of the mass dying at Jonestown” (in the words of an FBI spokesman), despite evidence that he and his followers intentionally fueled and set the fire that killed 76 sect members. Cook also relies on FBI negotiator Gary Noesner, who was abruptly replaced during the standoff, to support the claim that the agents who took over “deceived” attorney general Janet Reno into authorizing the raid on the compound. Though Cook does reveal inconsistencies and misrepresentations in government accounts, this rehash sacrifices nuance for drama. (Jan.)