| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 105.1

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| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 105.1 | The History Cooperative

Book Review

Comparative/World

David S. Katz and Richard H. Popkin. Messianic Revolution: Radical Religious Politics to the End of the Second Millennium. New York: Hill and Wang. 1999. Pp. xxv, 303. $26.00.

The authors tell us that what generated the writing of their book was the fiery confrontation at Waco, Texas on April 19, 1993 between federal agents and the adventist sect known as the Branch Davidians. Both David S. Katz and Richard H. Popkin have published substantial work in religious and intellectual history, primarily in England. They see in the Waco tragedy a manifestation of what they call "the rich tradition of messianic revolution," which they contend extends "unbroken for at least eight hundred years" (p. ix). To demonstrate the evolution of that tradition in a book of fewer than 300 pages is a challenging assignment. 1

There is much to commend about the book. It is well written and for the most part thoroughly researched, including an extensive utilization of Internet sources for the last chapters on contemporary developments. The chapters that are based largely on the authors' previous work are especially informative. Nonetheless, despite its merits, the book is ultimately disappointing. . . .

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