Jim Redmond’s newest book also tells a fascinating story of author collaboration.
“The facts were coming together, but something was still missing from the story.”—Jim Redmond, PhD, Director of Academic Support Labs and Tutoring has published a new book, and his recount of working on it is just as gripping as the story he tells in They Know We’re Coming!: The True Story of the ATF Operation at Koresh’s Waco Compound.
In the intensive process of his research collaboration and personal interviews with former ATF undercover agent Robert Rodriguez, Redmond could routinely and competently draw on his professional training as a writer, composition instructor, writing center director, and professional listener. “Knowing when to draw on what skillset allowed this book to finally come together,” he says.
The challenge was to balance objective and anecdotal sources: Redmond diligently pieced together the fragments of hard evidence and human experience with an intimate view of the 1993 stand-off between law enforcement and religious cult members on the site of their compound near Waco, Texas. He sifted through countless documents such as official protocols, reports and records, as well as the first-hand recollections and often difficult details from countless hours of conversation with Rodriguez—the one on-duty agent with inside intelligence then and a biography deeply impacted by the events now.
“My goal was to help Rodriguez tell that story, his story,” Redmond describes his role in the collaboration. “To clearly and convincingly present the entire chaotic sequence of events in an organized and engaging fashion. But we also both agreed that his book needed to be as factually accurate as possible. A huge part of this story was following the ‘facts’ as we have them to present a truthful depiction to the public of what happened, how it happened, and why. Given the number of competing voices, narratives, and agendas that occupy the space of ‘what really happened at Waco’, this was no easy task, nor was it easy to faithfully capture the difficult interiority of Robert’s experience before, during, and after the raid.”
Redmond summarizes his work on the book, “It was a wonderful challenge. I got to make a great friend in the process, and we hope you enjoy the final product.”
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They Know We’re Coming!
The True Story of the ATF Operation at Koresh’s Waco Compound
By Robert X. Rodriguez, as told to Dr. Jim Redmond
Treaty Oak Publishers, 2024.
ISBN-10 : 1959127284
ISBN-13 : 978-1959127284
Administration and Staff, Press Release
October 14, 2026
Graceland University announces former vice president and long time Graceland advocate, David L Siddall, as new Chair of its Board of Trustees.
Administration and Staff, Press Release
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Graceland University mourns the passing of Professor Emerita Dr. Phyllis O’Daniels, who died Sept. 1, 2026. An alumna, longtime faculty member and university leader, O’Daniels dedicated nearly 40 years to serving Graceland and its students.
Administration and Staff, Press Release
July 20, 2026
Michelle Fillinger ’97 Schamp has been named Associate Dean and Executive Director of Residence Life. In this role, she will provide leadership for the university’s residence life program while fostering a residential experience that supports student learning, leadership, and community.
Administration and Staff, Press Release
July 6, 2026
Graceland University has named Dr. LaVerne Manos as the new Dean of the School of Nursing effective July 31.
Administration and Staff, Athletics, Press Release
April 14, 2026
A transformative era for Graceland University men’s basketball has reached its natural turning point. After engineering one of the most impactful rebuilds in program history, head coach Todd Lorensen has accepted the head coaching position at Rockhurst University. In response, Athletic Director Brady McKillip has elevated Associate Head Coach Matt Dickman to lead the Yellowjackets forward.
Administration and Staff, Press Release
April 10, 2026
Graceland University and the Community of Christ announce the retirement of Campus Minister Mike Hoffman, and the appointment of Doug Roberts as the university’s next Campus Minister, effective June 2026.
