The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge: In Our Own Words [Paperback]

Randy Weaver (Author), Sara Weaver (Author), Bill Henry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0966433408 | ISBN-13: 978-0966433401 | Publication Date: June 3, 1998

The story of Ruby Ridge in 1992, as told by Randy Weaver and his daughter Sara.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Ruby Ridge Inc (June 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966433408
• ISBN-13: 978-0966433401
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Government Excesses, July 30, 2003

By 

Bryan Carey "Bryan Carey" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge: In Our Own Words (Paperback)

The Ruby Ridge tragedy is an event that has spawned several books, television specials, and investigative reporting. Many individuals have come forward and given their best interpretation of what took place; why it happened; and what needs to be done to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself in the future.

In this book, "The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge", we finally get to hear the story from two of the people who were present during the armed assault: Randy Weaver and his daughter Sara. I met Randy Weaver in person once, and I received an autographed copy of this book. Weaver explains, in his own words, how he was framed by government agents; how they continuously lied to him and others; how they killed two members of his family; and how the media distorted the event by making the Weavers seem like extremists and the government officials look like heroes.

Randy and Sara Weaver spend most of their writing in the book reliving the events that took place, leading up to the siege and during the siege itself. They are quite candid and graphic, so you need to keep this in mind if you decide to read. The personal dimension of the book, however, ends in chapter 11. Here, the book moves into the Senate hearings following the siege. This part of the book can get rather monotonous and there is no suspense to it because we already know how it ends: Weaver is cleared of most all the charges brought against him, with the assistence of attorney Gerry Spence and several federal employees of the FBI and BATF are indicted on various charges.

This book isn't the best written literary volume I've ever experienced. There are several typos and the grammar doesn't always flow smoothly from one sentence to the next. It's also arranged rather haphazardly, with chapters and topics jumping around in all directions with each flip of a page. But it's still a good book, exposing the brutality of federal agents and presenting a fresh perspective from two of the family members who managed to survive this terrible event.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real life, real history, right now, October 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge: In Our Own Words (Paperback)

This is the Weaver's account of the events at Ruby Ridge. One of the most powerful aspects of it is the inclusion of many word for word pages of the Congressional Subcommittee's investigation of the events, which make it pretty clear that the FBI and the US Marshalls' were criminally in the wrong. If you read much of the media hype of the event, it is illuminating to read both Weavers' own stories, and this sub-committee report.

Do you know that the Weaver's were found innocent of any wrong-doing? That the government concluded that they were in no way dangerous, unusually armed or white supremists?

This book is also the story of one family's tragedy from their own hearts. Reading Sara Weaver's retelling of those days will bring tears to your eyes, because it was alot more than facts or hearings, it was the horrendous death of her mother and brother.

Lastly, I must say that as soon as Randy mentions that they are 'white separatists' I found it very hard to empathize. He is very clear that they aren't 'white supremacists', don't hate any races, or think them lesser in any way. They just believe that they should live separately. Anyways, I can't understand this or relate to it at all, but if you can get past the hype, the labels of 'white supremacists' 'survivalists' and the like, and see the real people involved, you will get a much deeper understanding of what went on and what it means about our culture, our government and yourself.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The USA, no Longer Liberty and Justice for all, December 11, 2001

By 

Mary Sutter (San Bernardino, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge: In Our Own Words (Paperback)

In my opinion, "The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge", is an excellent choice to buy, and read. It is comforting to know that what I'm reading is actual truth. I recently completed a research paper on "Ruby Ridge", prior to reading this book, and find it frustrating that the material published in other books is not entirely accurate.
If you want just the facts, mam, just the facts, then this is the book to read. Randy and Sara, in their book, "The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge", give an accurate chain-of-events description of the events atop, and surrounding "Ruby Ridge." Some of the other authors borrowed from each other, and consequently, they are collectively inaccurate.
After reading and reviewing other sources of material, I found that some of them have conflicting data, and left me wondering, who was right? After reading Randy and Sara's book, I know which way it was. I don't have to be concerned whether the information is reliable, and if the author is credible.
I also believe we, as Americans, owe it to the Weavers to read their book. "Ruby Ridge", the siege at Ruby Creek, and Caribou Ridge, affected all of us, not just the Weavers and Kevin Harris. "The Federal Siege at Ruby Ridge", clearly depicts the actions of the US government officials who were involved in these events, and how Americans, in reality, have no rights.
Unless you have a cast-iron constitution, reading this book will draw you into their feelings, as well as may cause you to feel passion for the injustice that was done to the Weavers and Kevin Harris.