This is Fresh Air.

I'm Dave Davies, Infra Terry Gross, who's off this week.

This spring will mark the 30th anniversary of the deadly confrontation between federal

law enforcement and the Branch-Dividian religious sect near Waco, Texas.

The two assaults on their compound resulted in the deaths of 82 branch-Dividians, including

23 children and four federal agents.

The Waco tragedy has been a rallying cry ever since for militant anti-government activists,

so surviving branch-Dividians have rejected that association, saying their motivations

bore nothing in common with right-wing militia groups.

Our guest today, writer Jeff Gwynn, has written a detailed account of the Branch-Dividian

confrontation at its legacy, drawing in part on interviews with federal agents who were

barred from talking to reporters for years after the incident, and have some harsh criticisms

of the operation.

Gwynn also brings fascinating insights into the theology and distinctive appeal of Branch-Dividian

leader David Kuresh, who died in the assault and fire that consumed the compound.

Jeff Gwynn is a former journalist and the author of several previous books, whose subjects

include Charles Manson and People's Temple Leader Jim Jones.

His new book is Waco, David Kuresh, the Branch-Dividians, and a legacy of rage.

Jeff Gwynn, welcome back to Fresh Air.

It's a pleasure to be here.

Let's start with the Branch-Dividian theology, which the FBI never quite really got, I

guess, and probably led to some mistakes.

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