Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Vidal, Gore, 1925-2012

Description

1. x, 283 pages : illustrations; 25 cm

Summary

1. In a work that is sure to stir controversy, Hamm convincingly argues that the force used by the FBI during the sieges at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, and at Randy Weaver's cabin in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, followed by an unwillingness to admit to errors in judgment, fueled the radical right's suspicion and hatred of the federal government and provided the motive for the explosion in Oklahoma City. According to the author, the incidents at Ruby Ridge and Waco became rallying symbols of excessive government intervention for right-wing activists with ideologies of varying extremes.
2. Hamm skillfully untangles the complex web of catalysts that contributed to the conspiracy to bomb the Murrah Building, and uncovers startling revelations about the groups and individuals involved in terrorist activities against the government. He considers the importance of April 19 as a symbolic date for the radical right; discusses the role of Christian Identity, a theology that gives the blessing of God to the racist cause; and examines the significance of The Turner Diaries, a popular novel among militia groups that details a blueprint for anti-government violence. Hamm also discloses that a plan to bomb the Murrah Building was devised as early as 1983 by Christian Identity member Richard Wayne Snell. The author offers bold insights into the ways in which suspects Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were motivated by these influences.
3. Hamm delves into the differences and similarities of their backgrounds, revealing that the seeds for the destructive blast may have been planted when these two men were brought together in the U.S. Army. McVeigh and Nichols, he argues, were loose cannons on the outer fringes of the radical right. Their misguided plan to avenge Ruby Ridge and Waco brought the weight of adverse public opinion on militia groups and set the movement in decline.

Subject

1. McVeigh, Timothy > Political and social views
2. Nichols, Terry, 1955- > Political and social views
3. McVeigh, Timothy
4. Nichols, Terry, 1955-
5. McVeigh, Timothy
6. Nichols, Terry
7. USA Federal Bureau of Investigation
8. Geschichte 1995
9. 1993-1995
10. Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing, Oklahoma City, Okla., 1995
11. Waco Branch Davidian Disaster, Tex., 1993
12. Political persecution > United States > Case studies
13. Government, Resistance to > United States > Case studies
14. Right-wing extremists > United States > Case studies
15. Attentat d'Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Okl., 1995
16. Affaire de la secte des Davidiens de Waco, Waco, Tex., 1993
17. Répression politique > États-Unis > Études de cas
18. Résistance au gouvernement > États-Unis > Études de cas
19. Extrémistes de droite > États-Unis > Études de cas
20. Government, Resistance to
21. Political and social views
22. Political persecution
23. Right-wing extremists
24. Gewalttätigkeit
25. Rechtsradikalismus
26. Sprengstoffanschlag
27. Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing, Oklahoma City, Okla., 1995
28. Waco Branch Davidian Disaster, Tex., 1993
29. Government, Resistance to > United States
30. Right-wing extremists > United States
31. Terrorism > United States
32. Crimes et délits politiques > États-Unis > Cas, Études de
33. Waco, Affaire de la secte davidienne de (1993)
34. Résistance politique > États-Unis > Cas, Études de
35. Extrême droite > États-Unis > Cas, Études de
36. Attentats > Oklahoma City (Okla.)
37. Waco, Affaire de la secte dravidienne de (1993)
38. Oklahoma > Oklahoma City
39. Texas
40. United States
41. Federal Building Oklahoma City, Okla
42. Oklahoma City (Okla.) > Federal Building

Genre/Form

1. Association copies (Provenance)
2. Case studies
3. Études de cas.

Contents

1. Introduction: "Justice Is Coming" -- pt. I. Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995. 1. The Blood of Innocents. 2. The President, the Press, and the Highway Patrolman. 3. Horror, Heroes, and a Truck Axle. 4. The Enemy Within. 5. Catastrophe, Capture, and a Missed Opportunity. 6. The Bastard, the Ribbon, and the Mourning -- pt. II. Conspiracy. 7. The Legacy of Waco. 8. The Warrior, the Ideologue, and the Anchor. 9. Reckoning. 10. Free Men of the West: Losers, Loners, and Crystal Meth -- pt. III. Aftermath. 11. The War of Words. 12. A Hinge of History: Terrorism and Teddy Bears -- Epilogue: "I Would Not Do It Again."

Owning institution

1. Harvard Library

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-270) and index.

Processing action (note)

1. committed to retain