Waco Rising discusses the before, during, and after events of the siege on the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas. The early life of David Koresh is discussed and gives good insight into the person he was and who he became. I have been interested in this ordeal for many years, I remember it happening. I have watched documentaries and docudramas on the subject, as well as listening to various podcasts about the siege and those involved. I have even visited the current compound while on vacation in Texas. Though a lot of the information was information I already knew, the information regarding the after events was new to me and I really enjoyed it.

I find it hard to rate a nonfiction book. I feel it was either interesting(good) or boring(bad). I enjoyed this audiobook, it was interested and held my attention. It discussed facts and first hand accounts without being boring at any point. The narrator did a great job.

Thank you to Henry Holt & company for this ALC in exchange for an honest review. Let me start by saying I only rated it because I wanted to give a numerical value to it. Otherwise, I really don’t think it’s appropriate to rate. I’m basing my rating off of the narrator & writing-both we’re brilliant! To see the “inside” of what was happening in Waco, was eye-opening. I was young when this happened, so I didn’t see it at the time. I remember learning about it. Lots of interviews & real things that happened are shared in this book. If you enjoy non-fiction events, this would be a great one for you!

Waco Rising by Kevin Cook was a fantastic novel regarding the events of the two month siege at the Branch Davidians’ compound. I’ve always been fascinated by the events and the members thought process on their time there. This book was completely factual and no opinions were given in this book. They had interviews in the book from members. I truly enjoyed listening to this book. IT felt like a very extended podcast. 10/10 I would recommend listening to this book. The narrator did a fantastic job and kept the story interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the early access to the audiobook.

I went into this not knowing a whole lot about WACO, I know the bare minimum. This book was written in such a way it was enjoyable from the beginning, although some of it did read like fiction to me it makes it easy to stay captivated. The narrator was easy and enjoyable to listen to. This is one book I am definitely buying for my father in law to read.

This was a great book. It wasn’t really biased to either side of the Waco situation. I like that it gave a great deal of background and facts to what happened rather than the typical “sugarcoating” that many books give. Overall this is a book I’d recommend. .

“In 1993, David Koresh and a band of heavily armed evangelical Christians took on the might of the US government. A two-month siege of their compound in Waco, Texas, ended in a firefight that killed seventy-six, including twenty-five children. America is still picking up the pieces, and we still haven’t heard the full story.”

Whoa. As a young teen in 1993, I have vivid memories of watching these events unfold, through the filter of the media. While I’m not one to scream “FAKE NEWS!” at the Associated Press, it is pretty amazing, the discrepancies of what we were told, and what actually happened.

Was David Koresh a dangerous pedophile? You betcha.

Was the American Government mostly to blame for the 76 Branch Davidians? Also yes.

From the shooting of the dogs and use of psychological torture, to the manipulation of Janet Reno, to the disappearance and mislabeling of evidence after the fact, the whole situation was an ish show for which no one was held accountable.

I liked the author’s red thread board, tying Waco with Timothy McVeigh, the popularity of !nfoWars, the January 6 Insurrection, etc..

Honestly, it makes my brain itch, because ARE THE CRAZIES RIGHT?!

8/10

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this inflammatory (see what I did there?) ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.


I remember WACO happening when I was a kid. BUT not the full story. Child brides, guns and religious zealot. I didn't know the whole story back then so I learned a lot. Kevin Cook did a great job gathering facts. Book was interesting and fast paced.
Definitely worth you time to learn a little more about what happened. Decide for yourself the relevance between what happened then and of todays events.

“David Coresh “who was born Vernon Wayne Howell wanted to be a rockstar he was dyslexic a hillbilly it would ultimately prove himself to be a insatiable pedophile. When I first heard of Waco I was 20 years old and although I knew what was going on I didn’t pay close enough attention to know everything I know now since reading this book. I found this book to be very honest and had opinions from both sides but this man was crazy! A lot of things in this book blew me away but what really got me was that his mom condoned his sexual appetite. The church from which the cult was born is a regular Christian church who celebrates sabbath on Saturday as opposed to Sunday like the rest of the world. I know really nice people that belong to the southern state advantage church but let me just say the church I know about his no correlation to Waco and David Karesh. The reason we are reading about him and his followers is because they’re lunatics… Clearly! What always gets me about these cults is the high level of education these people have from doctors to lawyers nurses and on and on and yet they believe everything he told them and not just him this branch goes back to the 60s and 50s during the 70s they even had a miracle off to see who could bring this deceased member back to life… People say they attack in Waco was unfounded but this man was a pedophile almost all of the children on the compound were his children from different mothers. This review hasn’t told half the story they have some very eye-opening details I am leaving out but any True Crime fan should read this book I thought I knew the overall story but once again I knew nothing. I thought the narrator was perfect for the Spokane such a great tone to his voice it seem to drill perfectly with the Contant if you know what I’m saying? I always say a narrator can make or break an audiobook and I think this guy made it that much more pleasurable to listen to he did a great job. He’s some wacky people and it seemed the head members from everywhere in the world Australia Hawaii London, Canada South America it’s just amazing to me stories like this I find really interesting. You even get to hear about the kids that got out not all of them but some I found this book so interesting and I highly recommend it. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audio version of this book. Everything I write is of my own thoughts feelings and opinions. I am in no way affiliated with or compensated for my review.

I remember this event in real time on TV. This book really dives into this group from the very beginning to the very end. You get a inside look at what was happening. This is a great book to read. It is a good piece of US history.

David Koresh and Branch Davidians are associated with one of the worst standoffs in FBI history. This account provides a general background of David Koresh, how he rose in power with the Branch Davidians, and a play by play of the FBI standoff. This one event has a butterfly effect with Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing, Alex Jones, Proud Boys, January 6th, and other militant organizations.

I would warn those who are sensitive to atrocities toward children, particularly grooming girls. There is nothing graphically written, just general information.

I remember watching the first day of the raid and seeing the ATF officer laying on the roof, watching the kids leave, and later the burning of the compound. In the back of my mind I kept thinking about what I saw as a child and Jim Jones, whom started me on my interest in cults and the treatment of children. I kept waiting for the connection to “birth of America’s modern militias.” It eventually came together toward the end of the book. This was a good book and I would recommend this to anyone to read. It is more than just the Waco tragedy, it is also provides some insight into far right thinking.

I started the first chapter at normal speed and then went up to 1.75. The narrator’s voice was good and clear. They provided enough inflection while reading to make it interesting. The book was over before I knew it. I was even listening to it when I was in the store and had to stop when someone asked me a question. I was a bit miffed they interrupted my story.

Wow, Kevin Cook managed to take an event in history already examined in true crime documentaries and docudramas, and make it a compelling listen. While I went into Waco Rising with some knowledge of Koresh and the compound, I felt this deep dive opened my eyes to many behind the scenes facts. Firstly, no matter your opinion on Koresh, as Americans we need to police our own and ensure the people behind the power do not abuse it. I am conflicted about what I heard and how I feel. Koresh was a self entitled prophet and his cult were willing to give their children to him, turn a blind eye to pedophilia, and die with him. The FBI was willing to do or say whatever it took to end the stand off, even if that involved untruths and obfuscation.

The second part of the book ties in later events, and current history, to show the rise of the American militias. This rise of home grown terrorists include the current group of extremists who stormed the Capitol, endangered democracy and killed police at J6. It is scarily laughable to read other reviewers who are offended by the inclusion of J6 among the list of radicalized Americans. It is a scary place to live right now, and Cook has scared me even more.

The audio narration of this book was perfect. Kept me listening and his voice did not get in the way of the story. Well done.