Publisher Description

On the last hot day of summer in 1992, gunfire cracked over Ruby Ridge in northern Idaho. By the next day three people were dead, and a small war was in full force, pitting the full might of Federal law enforcement against one well-armed family. Ever since the stand-off ended, Ruby Ridged has been recognised as a dark watershed in the US history. In RUBY RIDGE Jess Walter leads the reader through the siege in which Vicky Weaver was fatally shot as she stood in the doorway of their cabin, her infant daughter in her arms. The deadly stand-off on Ruby Ridge reveals the racism, violence, paranoia and hatred of government that continue to erupt in places like Waco and Oklahoma City, and Walter's definitive account is both insightful and disturbing. Jess Walter's coverage of the Randy Weaver case helped the Spokesman Review earn a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Back Cover

On the last hot day of summer in 1992, gunfire cracked over a rocky knob in northern Idaho, just south of the Canadian border. By the next day three people were dead, and a small war was joined, pitting the full might of federal law enforcement against one well-armed family. Drawing on extensive interviews with Randy Weaver's family, government insiders, and others, Jess Walter traces the paths that led the Weavers to their confrontation with federal agents and led the government to treat a family like a gang of criminals. This is the story of what happened on Ruby Ridge: the tragic and unlikely series of events that destroyed a family, brought down the number-two man in the FBI, and left in its wake a nation increasingly attuned to the dangers of unchecked federal power.

Author Biography

Jess Walter is the author of "The Zero " (a finalist for Jess Walter is the author of "The Zero " (a finalist for the "National Book Award"), " Citizen Vince" (a winner of ththe "National Book Award"), " Citizen Vince" (a winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel), " Land of the Blinde Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel), " Land of the Blind", " Ruby Ridge", and "Over Tumbled Graves " (a " New York T", " Ruby Ridge", and "Over Tumbled Graves " (a " New York Times" Notable Book of the Year). He lives in Spokane, Washinimes" Notable Book of the Year). He lives in Spokane, Washingto

Review

"A brilliant, cautionary tale of the dangers of conspiracy thinking--by people and by governments."--Dennis Prager, talk show host and author of Think a Second Time "The most comprehensive, even-handed and best written account of Ruby Ridge currently in print."--Washington Times "A meticulously researched account of the Ruby Ridge incident."--People magazine "Jess Walter's careful chronicle of what happened in and around that cabin in...northern Idaho...is remarkably complete."--Salt Lake City Tribune "Tightly reported...an even-handed...excellent, minute-by-minute account."--The Portland Oregonian "A stunning job of reporting."--New York Times Book Review

Review Quote

"Tightly reported...an even-handed...excellent, minute-by-minute account."

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