Back
Steven Hawley: Cracked (AudiobookFormat, 2023, Patagonia) 3 stars

The ugly truth about dams is about to be revealed.

During the first two decades …

A polemic for the already convinced

3 stars

The author proffers that dams are the cause of earthquakes, nuclear proliferation & radiation poisoning, and the devastation of wildlife and culture. He's not wrong exactly, but he presents everything from the worst possible case position while also arguing that dam benefits are meager at best. In other words, if you are already convinced, this book will solidify your position. And if you are worried about dams but not already convinced, you'll have a lot of "but what about ...?" type questions that you want answered. As I did.

The book is clearly written for the already convinced, because it includes a chapter on how to remove a dam. The chapter includes lengthy steps all the way from first organizing to actual dam removal. As an overview of just how much work goes into dam removal, it's a great chapter. As an actual how-to, people will need a lot more than a book chapter.