Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1998, page 79
conclusions are ―Normal event memory is largely accurate but may contain distortions and
elaborations,‖ and ―With certain exceptions, such as when there has been extensive
rehearsal of an imagined event, the source of our memories is generally perceived
accurately.‖ (p. 390). The BPS report succeeds in pulling together diverse perspectives and
in pointing the way for productive collaboration and further research. It also provides
helpful guidelines for chartered psychologists.
Perhaps it is time for scholarly cult critics and uncorrupted investigators of new religions to
revisit the ―brainwashing‖ controversy. The Recovered Memory/False Memory Debate would
provide a helpful model of constructive fair mindedness.
Arthur A. Dole
Emeritus Professor Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Trenton, Maine
Fire and Blood
The True Story of David Koresh And The Waco Siege
David Leppard. Fourth Estate Limited, London, England, 1993, 182 pages
This book is an account by a former crime reporter and his attempt to illustrate who David
Koresh was, his following and examine the tragic ending. The author has been nominated
in the Report of the Year category of the 1989 British Press Awards. The author divides the
book into three parts that are not in chronological order. He begins the book by describing
the first incident that finally concerned authorities about a religious cult that were
stockpiling weapons, ammunition and explosives near Waco, Texas.
Part I of this book examines the ―building for Armageddon.‖ This section contains three
chapters that explore the first reports of trouble provided by neighbors complaining to local
police of gunfire and suspected child abuse. Neighbors‘ complaints lead into the first
investigation by local authorities to inquire about illegal guns and child protective services
exploring the child abuse allegations. The last two chapters provides accounts of what lead
to the ATF‘s involvement and the buildup to the first tragic confrontation with David Koresh
and the Branch Davidians.
Part II of this book is a historic account of the Branch Dividians and how they grew to exist
from a New England preacher, William Miller, in the 1800‘s, who was the founder of The
Seventh Day Adventists. This section contains four chapters that describe the ongoing
troubles the Adventists encountered and promises that never materialized since its
beginning. The chapters examines how Vernon Howell, aka, David Koresh became involved
with the church and his obsession with the bible. The author explores David Koresh‘s
psychological make-up and characteristics that eventually lead people to follow David and
formulate their own religious group from a original group they all attended led by George
Roden and his wife. The chapters depict the conflicts between David Koresh and George
Roden for the land that George occupies and the eventual overtaking by David Koresh and
the Branch Davidians. In the last chapter of this section, the author examines how David
Koresh at this point began to take control of his followers and what life was like at Mount
Carmel.
Part III of this book returns to the investigation and siege of the Branch Davidians by the
FBI, SWAT team and the ATF. This section contains four chapters, also, that examines the
attempts by federal agents and well known professional that were brought in to peacefully
resolve the hostile situation without further deaths. This section explores decisions that
were made and an account of what led to the last raid of the compound that ended in an
conclusions are ―Normal event memory is largely accurate but may contain distortions and
elaborations,‖ and ―With certain exceptions, such as when there has been extensive
rehearsal of an imagined event, the source of our memories is generally perceived
accurately.‖ (p. 390). The BPS report succeeds in pulling together diverse perspectives and
in pointing the way for productive collaboration and further research. It also provides
helpful guidelines for chartered psychologists.
Perhaps it is time for scholarly cult critics and uncorrupted investigators of new religions to
revisit the ―brainwashing‖ controversy. The Recovered Memory/False Memory Debate would
provide a helpful model of constructive fair mindedness.
Arthur A. Dole
Emeritus Professor Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Trenton, Maine
Fire and Blood
The True Story of David Koresh And The Waco Siege
David Leppard. Fourth Estate Limited, London, England, 1993, 182 pages
This book is an account by a former crime reporter and his attempt to illustrate who David
Koresh was, his following and examine the tragic ending. The author has been nominated
in the Report of the Year category of the 1989 British Press Awards. The author divides the
book into three parts that are not in chronological order. He begins the book by describing
the first incident that finally concerned authorities about a religious cult that were
stockpiling weapons, ammunition and explosives near Waco, Texas.
Part I of this book examines the ―building for Armageddon.‖ This section contains three
chapters that explore the first reports of trouble provided by neighbors complaining to local
police of gunfire and suspected child abuse. Neighbors‘ complaints lead into the first
investigation by local authorities to inquire about illegal guns and child protective services
exploring the child abuse allegations. The last two chapters provides accounts of what lead
to the ATF‘s involvement and the buildup to the first tragic confrontation with David Koresh
and the Branch Davidians.
Part II of this book is a historic account of the Branch Dividians and how they grew to exist
from a New England preacher, William Miller, in the 1800‘s, who was the founder of The
Seventh Day Adventists. This section contains four chapters that describe the ongoing
troubles the Adventists encountered and promises that never materialized since its
beginning. The chapters examines how Vernon Howell, aka, David Koresh became involved
with the church and his obsession with the bible. The author explores David Koresh‘s
psychological make-up and characteristics that eventually lead people to follow David and
formulate their own religious group from a original group they all attended led by George
Roden and his wife. The chapters depict the conflicts between David Koresh and George
Roden for the land that George occupies and the eventual overtaking by David Koresh and
the Branch Davidians. In the last chapter of this section, the author examines how David
Koresh at this point began to take control of his followers and what life was like at Mount
Carmel.
Part III of this book returns to the investigation and siege of the Branch Davidians by the
FBI, SWAT team and the ATF. This section contains four chapters, also, that examines the
attempts by federal agents and well known professional that were brought in to peacefully
resolve the hostile situation without further deaths. This section explores decisions that
were made and an account of what led to the last raid of the compound that ended in an
