Would it be far-fetched to look at this year's events on January 6th at the U.S. Capitol and connect them to 1993's siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas?

I think not.

Few events in the past 50 years are shrouded in as much myth as the 51-day Waco siege that would end up claiming the lives of 76 people, including 20 children, in the climactic fire that ended the siege. It's practically undeniable that the many mysteries around the siege helped to fuel an underlying antigovernment sentiment that inspired the Oklahoma City bombing and continues to thrive to this day.

With remarkable precision and emotional resonance, bestselling author Stephen Talty has crafted what really is the first in-depth exploration of David Koresh, born Vernon Howell, the leader of the Branch Davidians at the time of the siege. "Koresh" is for the most part a chronological study of Koresh's life from his outsider status growing up in the hyper-masculine world of central Texas in the 60's through a childhood defined by abuse and isolation and into the halls of his local church where he found acceptance and began to formulate the theologies that would ultimately lead him into the Seventh Day Adventist offshoot where he became both an accepted preacher and an undeniable perpetrator.

Utilizing first-time, exclusive interviews with Koresh’s family and survivors of the siege, Talty has crafted what is undeniably a "must read" book for anyone interested in Koresh, the Branch Davidians, the Waco Siege, antigovernment militarism, and cults. Divided in nearly equal parts devoted to the transformation of Vernon Howell into David Koresh and the siege itself, "Koresh" is a well-researched, insightful, and at times even difficult to read psychological exploration of Koresh and immersive exploration of how the Branch Davidians grew from a fundamentalist intentional community into one committed to holy war.

"Koresh" is at its most hypnotic in its first half as Talty paints a vivid picture of the life trajectory that transformed Vernon Howell from a child who felt worthless into David Koresh, a cult leader who believed himself to be a returning Christ. As someone who grew up in what was the equivalent of a cult, though much less dramatically so, I found these chapters to be mesmerizing, disturbing, and jarring not just in how they formed Howell/Koresh but in the fact that along each step of the way it seems as if there were opportunities to detour his path that never came to fruition. Kudos to Talty in being uncompromising in his language, never romanticizing Koresh's fondness for younger females even during those times when Koresh himself would portray such "relationships" in a spiritual light. Talty calls it like it is - these "relationships" were rape over and over and over again. Long before he became a cult leader, "Koresh" paints a vivid portrait of this man as an increasingly emboldened sex offender whose religious persona essentially empowered his abusive and controlling behaviors. While this is often true, it's seldom portrayed as clearly and concisely as Talty is able to portray it. However, for survivors, rest assured that a trigger warning, which I seldom use, is likely appropriate here.

Unless you are a devotee of Koresh and Branch Davidian history, you're likely to learn quite a bit from the first 60% of "Koresh" as Talty truly delves deeply into the early and formative years along with the young adult years. As we turn the corner, somewhat abruptly for me, into the Branch Davidian compound itself, "Koresh" begins to cover more familiar territory though, admittedly, it is covered in much greater depth than in most public accounts. For those who've longed for a more detailed, complete, and transparent account of the history of the Branch Davidians and the build-up to the siege, "Koresh" certainly provides it with tremendous detail and insight.

Easily the most comprehensive account of Koresh's life and his road to Waco to date, "Koresh" is masterful narrative nonfiction storytelling that is both intellectually and emotionally resonant. At times quite jarring in its impact, "Koresh" fleshes out not just the Waco siege but the years before that helped sow what was ultimately reaped by everyone impacted.

Thanks to Netgalley and Mariner Books for this advanced reader copy. This is a tragedy all around, and the story contains more information about who he was, why, and how Mr. Koresh developed. Interesting story yet very saddening but vital to compose and offer.

A great history of David Koresh. The tragedy at Waco is one of the most interesting historical events in my opinion, and this was a great overview of the event itself as well as the events leading up to it.