The Debutante

By: Jon Ronson

Narrated by: Jon Ronson

This is the story of a Tulsa debutante who, as a result of a series of unlikely and often very bad life choices she made in the ‘90s, found herself in the midst of one of the most terrible crimes ever to take place in America.

Thirty years ago, award-winning journalist Jon Ronson stumbled on the mystery of Carol Howe—a charismatic, wealthy former debutante turned white supremacist spokeswoman turned undercover informant. In 1995, Carol was spying on Oklahoma’s neo-Nazis for the government just when Timothy McVeigh blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people.

Ever since then, Carol has haunted the imaginations of survivors and investigators because of a rumor that had begun to swirl: If her information had only been listened to, she could have prevented the worst domestic terrorist attack in US history.

The question mystified Ronson. In The Debutante, he embarks on an investigative journey to seek the truth about the woman who grew up in a world of privilege and opportunity and whose teenage rebellion spiraled out of control, leading her to extreme radicalization.

The Debutante takes a closer look at Carol’s world, where truth is shrouded and seldom guaranteed. Rare court tapes, diary entries, undercover ATF surveillance audio, and interviews with those who crossed paths with Carol depict a complex woman whose motivations have been hypothesized about for decades. With curiosity and insight at the forefront of his work, Ronson delivers a new perspective on the extraordinary story of Carol Howe.

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Interesting story...

Ronson is always entertaining. Was she a criminal? Did the FBI screw up? Regardless, this is quite entertaining. A worthy listen.

Smoke, not fire

I feel for the journalist’s decades-long quest for a more compelling story, that wasn’t to be. Which made this a pretty disappointing listening experience.

Interesting, informative and really well done

I had no previous exposure to the potential conspiracy around the Oklahoma City bombing. I’m glad to now be better informed in what seemed like a well researched and balanced way. The Carol Howe element of the story was riveting.

Do they really hear you?

I was drawn into the story of the bravery of a young woman who put her life on the line to send a warning. Did anyone listen?

Very Interesting

Well presented with opposing opinions. Great chronology made for easy understanding. Presenter and interviews are clear and concise.

Ronson yet again delivers….

Since I watched “Them” on TV in the 90’s I’ve really enjoyed Jon’s work. This is no exception. A really interesting dive into the OKC bombing…. Listen, you won’t be disappointed.

Wonderful

Couldn’t recommend this more. Great as always from Jon Ronson. Hope for more like this in the future.

Just when you think you’ve heard it all

There’s more that you’ve never heard!! I have to listen to this again to catch all the details. It does jump around a lot, there is speculation, but this story is so interesting and I can’t imagine there’s any other way to tell it since Carol Howe won’t talk, at least not yet.
Most interesting to me while listening was thinking about, and knowing about, all of this happening on a day to day basis now, everyday in this country and others! Perhaps even more so these days! This story is very relevant for these times!

Jon is a fabulous story teller

what a ride, I know of Jon through the 5th column podcast, I didn't have much interest in the Oklahoma City bombing but his amazing tale drew me in from start to finish. really wild stuff, bravo!

Engaging investigation

Excellent storytelling assembles fleeting facts and questions surrounding the OK City bombing. I really like how voices of those interviewed are framed to give listeners a chance to evaluate what they say.