Waco: A Survivor's Story

David Thibodeau · Leon Whiteson

Jan 2018 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Robert Fass

About this audiobook

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.

Ratings and reviews

Very informative..there was so much more to this than the public knew..I don't perhaps agree with everything David said...but at the same time I admire Both Davids..David really did seem human but found his gift. Still in no way have I been convinced that the government showed up for reasons given. There was a way out..I believe the ATF fired on them first..why did they want to kill him..they were killed for jealousy...and lies..or even if there was a crime it wasn't that road of law enforcement supposed to be there. MARK JUDAS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER OF THOSE CHILDREN..ONLY SATAN HIMSELF COULD GET UP ON TV AND SMILE ABOIT THAT. IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY YOU WILL FEEL MUCH SORROW THE REST OF YOUR LIFE YOUR WIFE AS WELL THEN YOU WILL KNOW FOD.

This is a literary piece of art for anyone who has interest in the events of the Branch Davidian standoff of 1993. You've heard what mainstream media has told you about that infamous standoff, now read the truth. This isn't a book written by a "brainwashed Davidian" as the writings presented in this book are backed by facts. This takes you inside the Davidians' home and leaves you feeling like you lived thru the moment yourself. They say history cannot be re-written, but David Thibodeau has written it for the first time correctly. Learn who the Branch Davidians were. Learn who the remaining survivors are. Learn what the true story was, compared to the story the media and government presented. I have read a lot of books in my 35 years, but no book has ever given me the emotion and captured me the way A Survivor's Story has. This will be within my real for years to come, and will be read over and over again. David Thibodeau is not just a survivor of Waco. David Thibodeau is a great American, who has had the courage to stand up to our government and set the record straight. That makes him a hero.

As a friend of David Thibodeau's in the years after Waco, I can tell you that he is a great guy and I am so proud to know him. This book is his representation of what happened and I believe him in every facet. Was there extremism here on the part of David Koresh? In my opinion, yes but everyone has a right to their beliefs and it seems to me that there wasn't anyone that was there against their will. This book (and mini-series) helped me realize what we had been told by the government all these years was not true. I have faith that Tibbs was telling more truth!! Great job my friend!!

About the author

David Thibodeau was born and raised in Maine. He is one of only four Branch Davidians who survived the Waco, Texas massacre who was not sentenced to prison. Over the twenty-five years since, David has lived in Los Angeles, Austin, and currently lives in Bangor, Maine, where he continues his life as a drummer and entrepreneur.

Coauthor Leon Whiteson was a Zimbabwean architect-turned-critic and novelist. He died in 2013 at age 82. Whiteson is survived by his wife -- author Aviva Layton -- who has written the updated epilogue with David Thibodeau for this new edition.

Aviva Layton earned a BA from Sydney University, an MA from University of Montreal, and a PhD from York University, Toronto. She is the author of a novel, a biography, and several award-winning children's books, and is now a full-time literary editor.