Acknowledgments

A Note on Sources

Introduction

Prologue

The Unwarranted Warrant

``Zee Big One''

Initial Investigation

Ignorance of the Law and of Firearms

Widely Available ``Clandestine'' Publications

Unreliable and Ignorant Witnesses

Irrelevant, Stale, and Absurd Allegations Against Koresh

The Lack of Probable Cause

Exercising First Amendment Rights as ``Probable Cause''

The Exclusionary Rule

A Search Warrant or a Death Warrant?

Could Koresh Have Been Arrested Outside the Mount Carmel Center?

The Arresting Difference Between Ordinary Criminals and Martyrs

Militarizing American Drug Law Enforcement

Why an Element of Surprise?

What Element of Surprise?

Showtime

Who Started the Shooting?

Helicopters, Machine Pistols, and Other Weapons

Aftermath

The Siege

The Rules of Engagement and the Hostage Rescue Team

Negotiations and Pressure

Had Negotiations Reached a Dead End?

The Surrender Letter and the Closing of Negotiations

CS Chemical Warfare Agent

D Day

The Attorney General

The Great Disappointment

``Flames Await''

April 19

To Raze a Village

Child Abuse

Groupthink

The Cover-Up

Cover-Up through the Siege and Immediate Aftermath

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch: The Trial

Legislative Branch: Congressional Oversight

The Fourth Branch: The News Media

Aftermath

Independent Counsel

Policy Lessons

More Gun Control?

Why BATF Should Not Be Abolished, Even Though It Deserves to Be

FBI

Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Other Law Enforcement Improvements

Forfeiture Reform

Revive American and Media Support for Freedom of Religion

Demilitarizing Law Enforcement

Defederalizing Law Enforcement

The God that Answereth by Fire

Appendices

Appendix A: The Comprehensive Public Safety and Federal Law Enforcement Improvement Act and Other Law Enforcement Reform

Appendix B: Chronology

Appendix C

Part 1: Cast of Characters

Part 2: Mount Carmel's Dead

Appendix D: Negotiation Tape Summaries

Selected Bibliography

Index