Koresh

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I was old enough to remember the Waco siege and what a massive debacle it was. And I have watched various documentaries about it, but this is the first book I’ve read about the situation and the leader of the Branch Dividians.

The book covers the entire life of David Koresh, who was born Vernon Howell. Vernon was mostly awkward, unliked, and unwanted. His grandmother loved him, but he was born out of wedlock into a Seventh-day Adventist family. His mother loved him, but from a distance. He had learning disabilities and just never fit in, except at church.

Religion was formative for Vernon, but as he grew up, his views became more extreme, leading him to change his name and become the leader of an already-established cult. Not much surprised me about the Davidians and the siege, as I’ve learned so much already, but this book did a great job of covering it, as well. As hard to read as this book was due to the tragic ending of so many lives, it was well-researched and interesting.