Introduction : approaching the militia movement -- Fuel : the cultural foundations of the militia movement -- Heat : the myth of the militia in the American Revolution -- Friction : militia ideology and the rationlization of rage -- The spark : Randy Weaver and the standoff at Ruby Ridge -- The fire : David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and the fire at Waco -- The inferno : Timothy McVeigh and the bombing in Oklahoma City -- Embers : the decline of the militia movement -- Epilogue : The movement and homeland security.