3 out of 4 stars
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Killing Timothy McVeigh: The Hidden Al-Qaeda Attack on Oklahoma City is a non-fiction exposé by Bobby Wilson about the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. The popularly-known narrative is that Timothy McVeigh, acting as a “lone-wolf” domestic terrorist, perpetrated the bombing of a federal building. Bobby Wilson, a retired trial lawyer, noticed a small discrepancy in the wording of trial documents, and this started him on an investigative journey to a shocking conclusion. The quest for possible co-conspirators involved in the Oklahoma City attack unearthed a web of patriotism, betrayal, and conspiracy, all enshrouded by a massive government cover-up.
Everyone loves a good conspiracy. Mr. Wilson’s version of events leading up to and following the Oklahoma City bombing is both interesting and detailed. The players’ moves and motivations are feasible, and the author sometimes reveals a source that supports his claims to truth. The story moves quickly as it builds toward the inevitable culmination of the tragic explosion and barely takes a breath before plunging into the aftermath. The end result is a web of loyalties and false alliances with a strong political motivation for silencing the whole affair.
In my opinion, the book’s greatest weakness is its narrative style. In his introduction, the author indicates that, in order to present the sequence of events as a comprehensible narrative, he sometimes recreates conversations based on a person’s documented actions. As a result, it is difficult for the reader to know when presented dialogue is a direct quote and when it is the author’s extrapolation. This may become a detriment to the author’s credibility. Perhaps another strategy could have resulted in a more thoroughly and consistently documented story while still attracting the reader’s interest.
This is also a very short book. At fewer than 100 pages, there is barely enough space to explain everything that is happening; no room is left for the slow build of intrigue or the artistry that brings characters to life. For some readers, this mostly-facts approach is desirable. The story moves quickly from character to character and event to event without many pauses. For others, especially since the story is presented as a narrative, using novel-style development would bring life to a tragedy and a time that is now more than twenty years gone.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Killing Timothy McVeigh is a fascinating story based on historical fact. Adults who are old enough to remember the attack may be interested in the new interpretation of events. Those who are too young to recall the actual day might learn something new about pre-9/11 terrorism. For any American, the Oklahoma City bombing is a part of history that served as a prelude to events and forces that have shaped, changed, and destroyed lives. We all want to know the real facts, and Bobby Wilson’s presentation offers a new alternative that is simultaneously captivating and disconcerting. It isn’t without faults, as discussed above, and these could potentially cast doubts on its veracity and stylistic merits, but this is still a book worth reading. Enjoy!
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KILLING TIMOTHY McVEIGH - The Hidden al Qaeda Attack on Oklahoma City
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