Inside the Cult

Will we ever really know exactly everything that went on there? I don't know for sure. One of the writers is an ex-cult member. I believe Vernon Howell was an absolutely evil man. Mark Breault's side of the story could certainly be skewed. I don't know how objective he was. There are certainly reasons why his testimony could be less pointed in one direction. The other real problem with our society and journalism is the fact that it is a money making business. The more sensational a story is, the higher your market share, which could mean more copies sold, or higher profits on commercial endorsements. This story tells the story of one man's rise to a self proclaimed 'god', and the sheep that he led to the slaughter. It is a very interesting read. There were countless other folks in this book, who rather than reading the Bible themselves and making certain their leader was following what the Bible said just gave him "blind faith". Many paid for that mistake with their lives. The book painted Howell as an extremely abusive man, both to children and adults. Why these folks turned their children and wives over to him, without ever reading their Bible looking to find out if that was the right thing to do is a mystery to me. The ones that I really felt sorry for were the children. I have no clue how someone could abuse a child like that. They had their innocence taken from them by both their parents, and this monster. It seems as though there are still Branch Davidians out there today. They were expecting this sinful man to rise from the dead and what, rape their children's children? The book was a good read, and should point out the need to challenge what your preacher etc says by checking the Bible to make sure it conforms to that.

It took a lot of courage for my Brother-In-Law Marc to write this book and tell the world the Truth about David Koresh . In this book Marc details how no female between the ages of 10 and 68 was safe from David Koresh's unwanted sexual attentions. Marc was not kicked out of the Cult. He left willingly after he discovered that David Koresh was committing Statutory Rape with girls as young as 10 and Koresh was the Biological Father of 17 children from mothers as young as 14 which was proved conclusiely from DNA tests conducted after the fire.It was all a case of 'David, take my wife, daughter and Bank Account but show me the way to Heaven because I don't want to think for myself anymore".It is also most amusing to me that people still insist David Koresh had a valid "Message From God" whereas his Theology consisted of "Biblical Word Salad " which varied from day to day according to whatever (usually lustful) desire he had any any given moment.

I have nothing but admiration for Mr. Breault and his courage from stepping out and telling the truth. His book is honest as well as compassionate, and, unlike Koresh, he shows true love and regard for those trapped in Koresh's dictatorship. Although it is not politically correct for anyone to accept responsibility today for their own actions but rather blame anyone else, especially the government, Mr. Breault places the blame for the mass suicide right where it belongs; David Koresh and his followers.

For anyone that thinks they know all about this incident, I urge you to read this book. Mark gives plain and clear unfettered looks into the mind and actions of David Koresh! This book not only made me grieve for those that lost their lives, but also aware of the evil that mankind can go to. As a Christain, the ultimate end of this story is bitter-sweet. It not only shows of one mans crusade and desires, but also the power of God to use all things to His good and Glory. This is a must read for all who study Theology and Christianity, in that, The sinfulness of man becomes so clear and real, and God's soverignty is made a reality! I read this book in a few days, which is rare for me. I found myself locked into the knowledge that this was from one who had lived this, not just reported it. Believe me, you want to keep it on your case after you've read it! Bruce

This book, while not a literary masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, tells my story as it happened. I was a member of the Branch Davidians from 1986 to 1990 and Koresh, who was then Vernon Howell, was a very good friend of mine. After all the publicity, including the siege, fire, and trial, there have been may documentaries and publications claiming to tell the truth about the Branch Davidians. This book pulls no punches. It tells of life in the cult exactly as it was. If you want information about the FBI during the siege, you can get some from this publication, but there have been more thorough works written since then. This book is probably best read in conjunction with one of the more reputable books on the subject. "Inside the Cult" is told from the inside. It also tells of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation as it unfolded. I kept a rather extensive diary from the beginning of my association with Koresh, to his firey end in April 1993. In addition to the facts, this book also gives the thoughts, perceptions and consequences of various events as they took place. If you want the truth about what the Branch Davidians were really like under Koresh's rule, then this book will give you that information. I have tried to be objective and accurate. An appendix at the end gives a more thological history of the book. I rate the book 8/10 because it does not include detailed theological information about the group. Why? At the time, I did not thing anyone would be interested. The theology is very complex and detailed. So the book isn't perfect. But I'm on-line, I'm here, and I usually answer whatever questions people have. Marc Breault, author of Inside the Cult