A Journey to Waco

October 1, 2012
Right or wrong, for many people the word Waco has become shorthand for massacre. In April 1993, an FBI assault on the Branch Davidian residence in Waco, Texas, resulted in a fire that took 76 lives (nearly half of them children). Doyle, this book's primary author, is a survivor of the events at Wacothe fire was the final incident in nearly two months of conflict between the Branch Davidians and the FBIbut the book isn't, as many might expect, a condemnation of the FBI and the American government. Of course, there is criticism and a certain amount of finger-pointing, but, mainly, this is the author's personal storya story of his faith, his chosen way of life, and his relationship with David Koresh, the community's charismatic and controversial leader. The events at Waco, even though they took place two decades ago, haven't faded into memory yet, and the book should see immediate interest from readers seeking a better understanding of what happened and why.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)