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Waco: Booktrack Edition

A Survivor's Story

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Waco: Booktrack Edition

By: David Thibodeau, Leon Whiteson, Aviva Layton
Narrated by: Robert Fass, David Thibodeau
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About this listen

 Waco: Booktrack Edition adds an immersive musical soundtrack to your audiobook listening experience! *
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 reads like a thriller, with each page taking us closer to the eventual inferno.
Originally published as A Place Called Waco.
*Booktrack is an immersive format that pairs traditional audiobook narration to complementary music. The tempo and rhythm of the score are in perfect harmony with the action and characters throughout the audiobook. Gently playing in the background, the music never overpowers or distracts from the narration, so listeners can enjoy every minute. When you purchase this Booktrack edition, you receive the exact narration as the traditional audiobook available, with the addition of music throughout. Americas Historical Religious Studies United States Crime Murder Survival

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary account of one of the most shameful episodes in recent American history. I wish that everyone in the country could read this book."
—Howard Zinn
"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
"This narrative defies many of our media-mediated preconceptions of Koresh's followers."
—Booklist
"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 Review
"A disquieting portrait of a religious community and its enigmatic leader."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Honest... [about] whether the excessive force used by our government against American citizens was really necessary."—Lincoln Star Journal
All stars
Most relevant
always interesting to hear the account of someone that lived through it and it held my interest throughout well written well read.
Why the emotive music when focusing on Mount Carmel and David, why the more aggressive music when focusing on Govt agencies. The answer is in the question.
Balance/motivation always comes to mind when it’s a first hand account and so the addition of music Thibodeau, in my view, is to your detriment.
David was guilty of statutory rape, you as members of Mount Carmel were aware of this, sanctioned it and so let down all those children , so justice was right to be brought on all of you - no one should have died whatsoever... justice needs to be brought here.

Why the background music Thibodeau?

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Read / listened to after watching the Paramount 6-part series on which this booked and former FBI Negotiator Gary Noesner’s book were based. I have read both.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone with a passing interest in the events of 1993. I remember watching the broadcasts in the UK and, like many, labelled those inside Mount Carmel as nothing other than cultists, following a religion I knew nothing about.

This book is an eye-opener. It is narrated by Robert Fass - whose pitch and delivery is both comforting and absorbing.

Congrats all round to those involved and a silent prayer to those who died needlessly - both Mt Carmelites and those working for the government. Each death was hopelessly unnecessary.

Let’s hope lessons have been learned.

Fascinating account from someone who was there

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