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310 reviews for:
The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
M. Bridget Cook, Rebecca Musser
4.01 AVERAGE
310 reviews for:
The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
M. Bridget Cook, Rebecca Musser
4.01 AVERAGE
The incredible story of one woman's escape and involvement in the prosecution of the FLDS. Her life and work are very impressive, but at some points the book was overdone. Perhaps it would land better with someone more spiritual.
I read this book in a flash, which either means it was really good or it was just an easy read. I enjoyed it, but I felt like there was something missing from it all. The first half was definitely the most interesting.
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
When I listened to a radio interview and heard the author tell her story, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to read this book. I was given a copy of this book to read and review, and I have to tell you, it truly hurt my heart to read, because of the subject matter. The book is well written, and flows smoothly, and is put together well. This book was emotionally difficult to read; you find yourself wanting to reach into the book, and comfort not only Rebecca, but all of the precious children that suffered at the hands of these horrible people. You also find yourself wanting to kick the stuffing (putting it nicely), out of all those that took advantage of these children, and had the nerve to claim it was all in the name of religion.
It took a lot of courage, strength, and conviction to open up her life, and her mouth to tell the WORLD what was going on; against all odds, she stood tall, and displayed her truths like a banner of bravery.
You can feel the pain in every word; I heard it in her voice when I listened to her interview. But, because of her determination to protect her siblings, and the other children of the FLDS, justice prevailed, and they all can start the long journey of healing. I admire Rebecca's faith and conviction to stand up when the odds were definitely stacked against her.
I recommend this book to everyone; light must continue to be shed on this subject, so that it can be eradicated. I strongly advise you to have Kleenex handy, because you will definitely need it!
It took a lot of courage, strength, and conviction to open up her life, and her mouth to tell the WORLD what was going on; against all odds, she stood tall, and displayed her truths like a banner of bravery.
You can feel the pain in every word; I heard it in her voice when I listened to her interview. But, because of her determination to protect her siblings, and the other children of the FLDS, justice prevailed, and they all can start the long journey of healing. I admire Rebecca's faith and conviction to stand up when the odds were definitely stacked against her.
I recommend this book to everyone; light must continue to be shed on this subject, so that it can be eradicated. I strongly advise you to have Kleenex handy, because you will definitely need it!
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
dark
informative
slow-paced
Greg Abbott jumpscare in the acknowledgements
Quite gripping. I am amazing at people raised in the most restrictive, oppressive circumstances still realize they can reach for and do deserve more.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Just an amazing and heart-breaking account of Musser's life in the FLDS, her escape from the abuse, and how she helped Texas bring Warren Jeffs to justice, all the while trying to raise young children and create a life in the modern world.
I remember watching news reports of the raid on Jeffs' YFZ compound Eldorado, TX. I knew of the polygamist beliefs in this very extreme religious cult. But Musser's accounts, along with the evidence uncovered reveals something more sinister and evil than most of us can imagine. If you think her "marriage" to the FLDS 84 year old prophet, at 18 years old, and subsequent 46 "marriages" is bad, that's just the beginning. Warren Jeffs' assumption of the mantle when his father dies begins a literal rein of terror, including forcing 12 year old girls to "marry;" removal of children from mothers and given to other, more loyal, women; systematic ousting of young men seen as competition; ritualized rape of young girls while male leaders "officially" witnessed it; and more.
Musser's escape was extraordinary in itself, and the fear ruling the community is typical of cults. But even more extraordinary is her coming to terms with the reality of the FLDS and her ability to trust a Texas sheriff and a no nonsense Texas Ranger. As she herself can attest, it was only Texans who were willing to expose and go after the criminality, not Utah, not Idaho. And treat her with the respect she deserves.
This edition is read by Musser herself, and that was a bonus. She could voice the FLDS women who were trained to be "sweet" in a way no one else could. She was the go to expert and advisor for the legal community, child protective services, and others as they tried to navigate what they uncovered, including mentoring them on how to approach the kids and the women in their questioning. Example: Ask a 15 year old FLDS "married" girl if she had ever had sex with a man and she'd say no. Ask her if she had had "marital relations" with a man and the answer would be yes, simply because of how she was brainwashed and trained.
At times I was aghast that Musser still hadn't accepted that the entire FLDS belief system is evil, until I got to the epilogue. May she have a lovely life of freedom.
I remember watching news reports of the raid on Jeffs' YFZ compound Eldorado, TX. I knew of the polygamist beliefs in this very extreme religious cult. But Musser's accounts, along with the evidence uncovered reveals something more sinister and evil than most of us can imagine. If you think her "marriage" to the FLDS 84 year old prophet, at 18 years old, and subsequent 46 "marriages" is bad, that's just the beginning. Warren Jeffs' assumption of the mantle when his father dies begins a literal rein of terror, including forcing 12 year old girls to "marry;" removal of children from mothers and given to other, more loyal, women; systematic ousting of young men seen as competition; ritualized rape of young girls while male leaders "officially" witnessed it; and more.
Musser's escape was extraordinary in itself, and the fear ruling the community is typical of cults. But even more extraordinary is her coming to terms with the reality of the FLDS and her ability to trust a Texas sheriff and a no nonsense Texas Ranger. As she herself can attest, it was only Texans who were willing to expose and go after the criminality, not Utah, not Idaho. And treat her with the respect she deserves.
This edition is read by Musser herself, and that was a bonus. She could voice the FLDS women who were trained to be "sweet" in a way no one else could. She was the go to expert and advisor for the legal community, child protective services, and others as they tried to navigate what they uncovered, including mentoring them on how to approach the kids and the women in their questioning. Example: Ask a 15 year old FLDS "married" girl if she had ever had sex with a man and she'd say no. Ask her if she had had "marital relations" with a man and the answer would be yes, simply because of how she was brainwashed and trained.
At times I was aghast that Musser still hadn't accepted that the entire FLDS belief system is evil, until I got to the epilogue. May she have a lovely life of freedom.