Evil Harvest: The True Story of Cult Murder in the American Heartland [Paperback]

Rod Colvin MS (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

On a peaceful August morning in 1985, grim-face FBI agents led a dawn raid on an eighty-acre farm outside Rulo, Nebraska, said to be occupied by a gorup of religious survivalists led by the charismatic Mike Ryan. What they found on the farm shocked even experience investigators. For months Ryan's Nebraska neighbors spoke in whispers of gunfire in the night, the disappearance of women and children, neo-Nazis and white supremacists. But little did the locals know what was happening to those Mike Ryan decided to punish for their “sins.” In Evil Harvest, Rod Colvin re-creates a chilling story of torture, hate, and perversion, and how good, ordinary people could be pulled into a destructive, religious cult—a cult that committed unthinkable acts in the name of God.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A dramatic glimpse into the mad world of a divine-right cult leader and mass murderer. Colvin (Prescription Drug Abuse, not reviewed) was a broadcast journalist in Nebraska when the shocking story broke. He opens with the FBI's 1985 raid on a Nebraska farm. The ramshackle commune was raising nothing but white supremacy and a survivalist, charismatic Christian cult, and the officers unearthed two victims of apocalyptical holy man Mike Ryan. Colvin's intimate research and dramatic writing offer preDavid Koresh insights into the later dynamics of the Branch Davidian and Aryan Nation phenomena. He brings us to neo-Nazi meetings of the Midwest farmers who blame foreclosures on the Satanic Jews running Washington and the world's economy. Truth and logic are no match for the fearful anger of the white Christian. Twisted gospels prove non-whites are ``an impure race . . . Jesus came for the true Israelites, the white Anglo-Saxons.'' The chosen delusion is fostered by Ryan's mentor, Rev. James Wickstrom, through paramilitary groups like the Posse Comitatus. Fortified by his Vietnam experiences, Ryan commits sadistic depravities on God's direct orders. Reading about his elaborate tortures requires a strong stomach. Enraged by paranoia, Ryan shoots one follower's fingertips off, skins him alive, then sends him to eternal hellfire: ``Ryan jumped on James' chest, stomping the life out of him.'' For good measure, the disciple is also raped with a shovel handle. Another victim is forced to fornicate with a goat. Finally, Ryan rapes a married woman to get God's grandson. Eight pages of photos display several of Ryans victims, some of the supplies the cult amassed for the Battle of Armageddon, and the bearded messiah before and after his sentencing to the electric chair. A frightening picture of what wacko, Waco-style cults have done and what Jim Jones wannabes could do in the coming millennial year. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Rod Colvin is also the author of numerous magazine articles and of First Heroes: The POWS Left Behind in Vietnam and Prescription Drug Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic. He lives in the Midwest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: Addicus Books (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886039429
• ISBN-13: 978-1886039421
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,110,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Scary Book, May 18, 2000

By 

Jeffrey Leach (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evil Harvest: The True Story of Cult Murder in the American Heartland (Paperback)

I clearly remember when the Rulo murders were uncovered, as I live less then 100 miles from the scene of the crime. I read this book several times and I have to say Colvin seems to have done a pretty good job of getting out and beating the bush to get his sources and research. He talked to a slew of people involved in the case.

The big problem with Colvin is that he seems to downplay the Christian Identity theme to some extent. He talks in great depth about James Wickstrom and the Posse Comitatus, but we don't get as much information on the underlying theme to these activities, which is Christian Identity, a theology that advocates that Jews are the spawn of Satan and that Blacks and other Non-White races are subhuman. The reason Ryan was able to exert his influence was due to Identity.

I can let the reader know that Michael Ryan is still on Death Row here in Nebraska. In fact, he recently lost yet another appeal, but he has several avenues left to him. Dennis Ryan was released from prison when he had his sentence reduced to 2nd degree murder. Several years ago, our state Supreme Court made a ruling that resulted in the release of dozens of convicts that had been convicted of 2nd degree murder. Go figure. Andreas and Haverkamp were also released from prison recently. Michael Ryan, the last I heard, is attempting to rewrite the Bible along the lines of Christian Identity.

A scary book in that it shows how evil some people can be.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not so true, September 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Evil Harvest: The True Story of Cult Murder in the American Heartland (Paperback)

The book claims to be a "True Story" when in fact it should read, Based on a true story. Being a direct relative of a good portion of the people involved I have to say it was dissappointing to read.

I felt Colvin seemed to miss key parts of the story. Local law enforcement and family services as well as teachers ignored repeated reports from my family about child abuse, drug use, and other numerous activities on the farm. This went on for over a year. The book is very detailed with some of the sickest of things you'll ever read. I fell if he could included such great details like those, the least he could do is included how several people within the surrounding communiteis tried to stop it before it ever got so sick.

Colvin mentions how there were whispers of gunfire on the property. These were not whispers they were actual reports made to the Richardson County Sherriff Department and Family Servises that were not acted upon. There were several names Colvin was not allowed to mention or had to change to protect the innocent, I feel that a name with only a single letter different is not creative enough for a seasoned writter.

Trial coverage would have been good to add.

4.0 out of 5 stars evil harvest was a real page turnergreat true crime, March 6, 2000

By 

"kristal1" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evil Harvest: The True Story of Cult Murder in the American Heartland (Paperback)

Evil harvest was so well written. The contents of the book and the impeccable skills of this author really brings this story to life. Excellent true crime that doesn't focus to much on the trial but on whaat the readers want to hear ie: about the characters. I love the way he gives you an understanding into the minds of all the characters. Reaaly makes you understand what lead to the ultimate down fall of average good folks. I will look forward to reading more by this fine author.