In 45 short essays aimed at a broad audience, the contributors to From the Ashes place the Branch Davidians in historical and comparative perspective with nontraditional religions, analyze the government's handling of the Waco confrontation, assess the media's coverage and public response, and provide an overview of responses from the academic and religious community. Although the contributors represent a wide variety of viewpoints, they are united in the belief that the 89 deaths could have been avoided and that the popular demonization of nontraditional religious movements in the aftermath of Waco represents a continuing threat to freedom of religion. Contributors include: Dick Anthony, Michael Barkun, James Beckford, Col. Charlie Beckwith, Eldridge Cleaver, Dean M. Kelly, Franklin H. Littell, and Thomas Robbins.

"This book represents an ideal case-study for surveying contemporary and historical examples of nontraditional religious movements." - Religious Studies Review

"The essays, articles, editorials, and letters contained in this disturbing book raise a number of pointed questions about the Waco incident—questions that were not resolved by the official investigation." - Christianity Today

"But this book, happily is not slow journalism, but fast scholarship....the essays here are quite insightful..." - Journal Of Psychology and Theology

"Designed for the general reader, the essays on the religion of the Davidians are especially helpful...." - CHOICE