In the first balanced, authoritative account of the siege, James Tabor and Eugene Gallagher explore the powerful drama in Waco and the motivations of all the players, including the government, the media, the cultbusters, the Branch Davidians, and David Koresh himself. Tabor and Gallagher unflinchingly confront the most controversial accusations concerning the group's possession of illegal firearms, unconventional sexual practices, and child abuse.

Without attempting to excuse Koresh's actions, they argue that the public has never been given the complete story. Tabor and Gallagher explain what really happened in Waco: Who were the Branch Davidians and what originally brought them to Mount Carmel? What led the government to attack? What role did the media play? And what lessons must we learn to avoid repeating this American tragedy?

1. Using the events at Mount Carmel as a cautionary tale, the authors challenge Americans government officials, parents, the media, all of us - to rethink our stereotypes about unconventional religious groups.