Gary Hansen (1)

If your intent is to lie in bed after the late-night TV newscast and read a chapter of this book for relaxation before falling asleep, forget it! I tried that but I was still reading at 4:30AM! Now that's what I call a compelling page-turner! Wet Desert is an extraordinary accomplishment by any author, much less a first-time author as Hansen is. Well-written, this novel is quick paced, chocked full of suspense, and danger, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Interesting premise, lots if action let down by one dimensional characters, including a protagonist who overcomes every confrontation by berating others with his (undeniably) impeccable logic.

The writing comes off as well researched, with plenty of concepts and calculations to keep the engineers happy. However I found it a little hard to believe that amidst a major terrorist incident, the FBI, CIA, NSA, FEMA, Army, National Guard etc. don't get involved until almost halfway through the book show more - and even then the lone engineer basically gets carte blanche authority to race around the countryside, blowing up assets with impunity.

Nevertheless I enjoyed the book. I felt it could do with a bit of editing to remove unnecessary and repetitive detail and keep the story flowing. But a great first effort. show less

363 pp., 2007 Loved it! It's got blowing up Glen Canyon damn (yeah!), near over-topping of Hoover dam (wow), the humiliation of high level bureaucrats (yeah), rescue by number crunching functionaries (yeah), clandestine activity (!), rafting! (actually very little), the Grand Canyon (yeah), sex (actually none), and water flowing to the Colorado River Delta (yeah!). This is an easy read and one I recommend for everyone who a one time or another has dreamed of Glen Canyon damn going away. show more Hayduke lives!!! show less

Excellent plot and great background information, but the characters were pretty much one-dimensional. But the plot did keep me turning the pages.