Hubris at Waco

Abstract

This is a review from the 1995 Times Literary Supplement of a book on the violent Waco encounter between federal law enforcement agents and members of the Branch Davidian religious cult that left many people, including many children, dead. The book presents the available evidence at what preceded the Reno Justice Department decision that sufficient evidence of child abuse was taking place that forcible intervention was warranted, as well as what transpired in the showdown. The book remains a standard account.

Keywords: Waco, David Koresh, Branch Davidian Compound, FBI, CS tear-gas, Blow Up, Fire, Fire-fighter, Law Enforcement, Religious Sect, Patriot, Janet Reno, US Congressional Hearings, US Treasury Agents, Conspiracy, Hubris, Gas Mask, Children, Expose, War Crimes, Laws of Armed Conflict, Collateral Damage

JEL Classification: H56, H70, I19, I39