Fort Worth author unearths ‘new, critical information’ about Branch Davidian raid

Jeff Guinn smiles and humbly offers this answer when asked what is his secret to being a successful author.

“I try to find some event or iconic figure in U.S. history that I’d like to know more about. It’s that simple,” he said. “Curiosity is what motivates me. It always has.”

Guinn’s curiosity has led to him writing 25 books, including 19 from a historical perspective. The newest from the former Star-Telegram investigative reporter and books editor will be released on Jan. 24 and is entitled “Waco” with a subtitle “David Koresh, the Branch Davidians and a Legacy of Rage.”

For the first time, “Waco” brings the perspective of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents who participated in the original raid, a first time insider’s view from an FBI agent/analyst who upends much of what we thought about that agency’s actions and intentions at Mount Carmel. It includes brand new information from Branch Davidian survivors, and even definitive proof that David Koresh plagiarized (probably unknowingly) most of his End of Time, Lamb of Revelation prophecies from an earlier Koresh who appeared almost a century ago in Florida.

“I’ve never written a nonfiction book with more new, critical information,” Guinn said. “During my two years of research, I was constantly amazed by how much of the Waco story had never been told.”

How it started

Guinn, who still calls Fort Worth home, worked at the Star-Telegram from 1983 to 2006, when he left to write books full time. He was books editor during his final eight years.

“I owe a lot of my success as an author to my time spent as Star-Telegram books editor,” he said. “That gave me the opportunity to talk writing with many brilliant authors, and to pick their brains about their craft. The Star-Telegram was the only newspaper where I ever worked, hired at age 31 without any previous experience in journalism. This was a lucky break for me.”

Guinn writes narrative nonfiction about important events in American history that have had significant social and cultural effects. Another essential element of his works is that the complete, contextual aspects of these events have not been told before.

“What happened in Waco from Feb. 28-April 19, 1993, has had a profound impact that continues to this day,” he said.

In fact, the last chapter in “Waco” links the events in the book all the way up to and including the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol assault in Washington.

“After almost 30 years, a better grasp of what took place at Mount Carmel is essential if we want to understand things happening now,” Guinn said.

The Mount Carmel Center was the name of the large compound building used by the Branch Davidians, the religious organization led by David Koresh.

Though he was an investigative reporter, Guinn chooses not to write about events he covered as a journalist.

“It’s better to approach book subjects with a fresh eye. That way, I hope that my personal sense of growing excitement and discovery can be shared by readers,” he said.

History, pardon the pun, would suggest he’s correct. His books have sold a plethora of copies with subject matters ranging from Charles Manson, Bonnie and Clyde, Jim Jones and the People’s Temple, and even Santa Claus. In fact, it was the latter that catapulted his career.

“My first few books sold a combined total of maybe a couple of dozen copies. To some extent, that was fine. I loved working at the Star-Telegram. Writing books was gravy,” he said.

Then, in 2003, a novel he wrote about Santa Claus and Christmas history, entitled “The Autobiography of Santa Claus” became a New York Times bestseller. Guinn said that gave him the confidence to push forward.

In the years since, he’s made the prestigious New York Times list a few more times. One of his books, “The Road to Jonestown,” was turned into a successful TV miniseries entitled “Terror in the Jungle” and he said a major film based on that same book is in the works.

“But I still sometimes wake up not quite certain that I’m really an author. It seems too good to be true,” he said.

Still excited

Guinn said he’s wanted to write books since he was in the third grade. And now, though he’s written many, he said it’s still thrilling each time he holds up a copy of his latest book for the first time.

“Holding my first one, from a small local publisher in 1991, was a thrill matched only by holding both of my sons right after they were born,” he said. “It’s my tradition to take the book, close myself in my upstairs writing room for a few minutes, and think, ‘I wrote a book that was published. It really happened.’ It’s always wonderful.”

Guinn has diversified himself a half dozen times with fictional works, such as his Cash McClendon series. He smiled and said he considers writing a novel to be his “vacations from work.” He can write a novel in anywhere from three to six months, while each narrative nonfiction project takes about three years.

“Writing nonfiction is much harder, tracking down people and key documents and trying to piece everything together,” he said. “But researching and writing nonfiction is what I love best. There’s nothing like hunting for the truth.”

As for his favorite? Of course, it’s the one he just finished.

“Books are like children. You love them all, but some you find yourself liking more than others,” he said.

Guinn is embarking on a promotional tour for “Waco” which is still being finalized. He promised a Fort Worth stop at some point. In the meantime, has a stop scheduled at Interabang Books in Dallas at 6 p.m. on Jan. 25.

“It’s always good to catch up with old friends and local readers at those,” he said.

He’s still thinking about what his next subject will be, but first is the “Waco” tour and some likely time obligations to the film that is in development. All the while, though, he’ll be pondering what interesting topic tickles his interest.

And while Guinn is thankful for the success he’s had and support from his many readers, he issued a reminder that there are many more out there also worthy of giving a read.

“Please support local authors and local journalism. We need both,” he said.