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When the Water Runs Out
A UK AMAZON BEST SELLER
Will water shortage result in the USA invading Canada? One person can stop a water war if he isn't killed first, but is he a hero or a traitor? When two very different worlds collide the outcome is on a knife-edge.
California and the Southwest are fast running out of water. Drought threatens to destroy the livelihood of millions and result in the biggest forced migration in history.
The President needs to find a solution quickly while keeping the true scale of the problem secret to avoid panic and his plan confidential to prevent opposition to it.
Witnessing a murder, Angel Tarak discovers he now has become a target. He embarks on a dangerous quest to reveal the truth to try and change the future.
Events spiral out of control propelling America and Canada towards war.
A thriller that flows from Arizona to Northern Canada and DC to Ottawa, with conspiracy, murder and a hunt through uncompromising wilderness.
Set only a few years in the future, a novel of what could happen. Will the water run out?
Will water shortage result in the USA invading Canada? One person can stop a water war if he isn't killed first, but is he a hero or a traitor? When two very different worlds collide the outcome is on a knife-edge.
California and the Southwest are fast running out of water. Drought threatens to destroy the livelihood of millions and result in the biggest forced migration in history.
The President needs to find a solution quickly while keeping the true scale of the problem secret to avoid panic and his plan confidential to prevent opposition to it.
Witnessing a murder, Angel Tarak discovers he now has become a target. He embarks on a dangerous quest to reveal the truth to try and change the future.
Events spiral out of control propelling America and Canada towards war.
A thriller that flows from Arizona to Northern Canada and DC to Ottawa, with conspiracy, murder and a hunt through uncompromising wilderness.
Set only a few years in the future, a novel of what could happen. Will the water run out?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2015
610 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
David Canford
20 books43 followersWriting historical fiction, David Canford is able to combine his love of history and travel in novels that take readers on a rollercoaster journey through time and place with characters who face struggle and hardship but where resilience, love and forgiveness can overcome hatred and oppression.
He has also written two novels about the future, and a travelogue.
David has three grown up daughters and lives on the south coast of England with his wife and their dog.
For news about new releases and more visit www.davidcanford.com or visit him on Facebook or Instagram.
He has also written two novels about the future, and a travelogue.
David has three grown up daughters and lives on the south coast of England with his wife and their dog.
For news about new releases and more visit www.davidcanford.com or visit him on Facebook or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 6, 2022
A Great Adventure with a Message
I wasn’t sure if I would like this book but since it was about our water situation in the world, I wanted to give it a try.
Well, it was quite an adventure as well as a warning. And it takes place in America. After reading it, I could very easily believe that what was written, all of it, could happen here.
It began with a couple running through a desert trying to get away from a helicopter that was chasing them, trying to kill them. The man saw some mountains, sot they ran for them. Squeezing through a crack in the boulders, they thought that they were safe. Then they realized that there was no ground under their feet. At which point, they both fell, ending up in a large pool water with no way out.
The scene changed to our government, and the lies that were being told to keep the people from realizing that the water was running out faster than expected. I grew bored with this part of the book, but it didn’t last.
Soon, there was another scene taking place: An Indian is heading for a powwow to warn his people as to what was going on with the water situation. The action returned, and I was once again enjoying this book, in spite of its being a warning.
I had even looked up on the internet to check out the truthfulness of his story, that is, how long it would take for the water to run out. Arizona and New Mexico and Southern California are running out fast. Maybe they have two years. The Ogallala reservoir has maybe 50 years, but if the water runs out in the Southwestern States, people will be moving to where they can have more water, and then the water will run out faster. If we think that Canada is going to give us their water, think again. Texas has been fighting for Oklahoma’s water for years, and so far, they have not won. People need to wake up, conserve their water and quit having so many children. Still, it might be too late. It reminds me of the song, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die.” I know, I can get so pessimistic about climate change, so I will end my review here.
I wasn’t sure if I would like this book but since it was about our water situation in the world, I wanted to give it a try.
Well, it was quite an adventure as well as a warning. And it takes place in America. After reading it, I could very easily believe that what was written, all of it, could happen here.
It began with a couple running through a desert trying to get away from a helicopter that was chasing them, trying to kill them. The man saw some mountains, sot they ran for them. Squeezing through a crack in the boulders, they thought that they were safe. Then they realized that there was no ground under their feet. At which point, they both fell, ending up in a large pool water with no way out.
The scene changed to our government, and the lies that were being told to keep the people from realizing that the water was running out faster than expected. I grew bored with this part of the book, but it didn’t last.
Soon, there was another scene taking place: An Indian is heading for a powwow to warn his people as to what was going on with the water situation. The action returned, and I was once again enjoying this book, in spite of its being a warning.
I had even looked up on the internet to check out the truthfulness of his story, that is, how long it would take for the water to run out. Arizona and New Mexico and Southern California are running out fast. Maybe they have two years. The Ogallala reservoir has maybe 50 years, but if the water runs out in the Southwestern States, people will be moving to where they can have more water, and then the water will run out faster. If we think that Canada is going to give us their water, think again. Texas has been fighting for Oklahoma’s water for years, and so far, they have not won. People need to wake up, conserve their water and quit having so many children. Still, it might be too late. It reminds me of the song, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die.” I know, I can get so pessimistic about climate change, so I will end my review here.
March 5, 2020
I was very excited at the premise of the book, the southwest running out of water, and maybe going to war with Canada for the freshwater we needed. Plus, the first chapter was very exciting.
I was surprised when an Arizona Indian and a Canadian Indian both entered the story. But you quickly see why. The President of the United States, three governors, the Canadian Government, a few Indians, the CIA, the press, and the U.S. Military with a cameo role.
It’s got a little of everything, big issues, murder, adultery, and Native Americans. There were a few things it was hard to believe, but it is fiction.
The Indian in Canada living off the grid, with dog sleds and fighting the elements were all interesting.
This book with the premise had the potential to be great. It wasn’t, but it was still very good, I do recommend it for something a little different.
Mike Slavin
Author of award-winning Kill Crime
I was surprised when an Arizona Indian and a Canadian Indian both entered the story. But you quickly see why. The President of the United States, three governors, the Canadian Government, a few Indians, the CIA, the press, and the U.S. Military with a cameo role.
It’s got a little of everything, big issues, murder, adultery, and Native Americans. There were a few things it was hard to believe, but it is fiction.
The Indian in Canada living off the grid, with dog sleds and fighting the elements were all interesting.
This book with the premise had the potential to be great. It wasn’t, but it was still very good, I do recommend it for something a little different.
Mike Slavin
Author of award-winning Kill Crime
October 15, 2018
Review
The book was well written and really shows that if we do not control our natural resources they will run out. It also shows how we need to get along with our neighboring countries. We are all on this planet together and we need to take care of each other.
The book was well written and really shows that if we do not control our natural resources they will run out. It also shows how we need to get along with our neighboring countries. We are all on this planet together and we need to take care of each other.
September 13, 2019
A fast read, interesting. Thought provoking with a smidge of propaganda. A few surprises. Worth reading.
February 23, 2019
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
February 22, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This novel has an interesting but not completely believable premise. It does explore a number of issues which Americans should think about. For instance, would we support an invasion of Canada to save the lifestyles of Southern California and the Southwest? I certainly wouldn't. There are other places to grow food in the United States. Most of which don't involve diverting water to a desert. If the water were really running out, there are ways to gradually reduce the population in the affected areas. It would be a hardship and the economy would suffer but it could be done without disaster. Of course in this novel, there is no time for a gradual solution. And the politicians aren't interested in the best solution. They are interested only in clinging to power.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
February 22, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This novel has an interesting but not completely believable premise. It does explore a number of issues which Americans should think about. For instance, would we support an invasion of Canada to save the lifestyles of Southern California and the Southwest? I certainly wouldn't. There are other places to grow food in the United States. Most of which don't involve diverting water to a desert. If the water were really running out, there are ways to gradually reduce the population in the affected areas. It would be a hardship and the economy would suffer but it could be done without disaster. Of course in this novel, there is no time for a gradual solution. And the politicians aren't interested in the best solution. They are interested only in clinging to power.
August 20, 2019
The President of the United States is informed that California and the southwest will run out of water in less than two years. So he bullies the Canadian Prime Minister into allowing the U.S. to build a pipeline from one of their lakes to bring water to the southwest.
But everything must be kept secret to avoid pandemonium and anything that amy jeopardize the President's chance of re-election.
The plot was ok, but there were way too many character that were built up but then quickly killed off. Made it hard to keep everyone straight. The story also ended abruptly. Not a fan.
But everything must be kept secret to avoid pandemonium and anything that amy jeopardize the President's chance of re-election.
The plot was ok, but there were way too many character that were built up but then quickly killed off. Made it hard to keep everyone straight. The story also ended abruptly. Not a fan.
July 5, 2019
A cautionary tale for our times
We tell our children to think about what they want, when we should be insisting they think about consequences.
This is a tale about the consequences of unfettered greed and the inevitable corruption that arises when too much power is given to someone who is selected by means of a popularity poll instead of an investigation into their honesty, integrity, intelligence and understanding that we exist at the whim of the natural world in which we evolved.
It is also a story about a future of water wars that have already begun in several places and are only going to get worse.
After an exhaustive introduction to the many actors in this thriller, the story takes off on a wild ride that makes it difficult to put down. The secretive machinations of various levels of government; the belief in violence as a valid means of getting what you want, the agony of losing loved ones all get a mention as we race from the desolate mountains of Arizona to the frozen wilds of Saskatchewan to the corridors of power in Washington – everything expertly described.
It would be nice to think stories like this might cause enough people to reconsider the way they live so they demand change, but of course that's not going to happen. Ever since humans learned to speak, wise men and women have warned about controlling our natural instincts, but it is clear nothing can stop us from lurching stupidly towards our own extinction like all top predators before us.
We tell our children to think about what they want, when we should be insisting they think about consequences.
This is a tale about the consequences of unfettered greed and the inevitable corruption that arises when too much power is given to someone who is selected by means of a popularity poll instead of an investigation into their honesty, integrity, intelligence and understanding that we exist at the whim of the natural world in which we evolved.
It is also a story about a future of water wars that have already begun in several places and are only going to get worse.
After an exhaustive introduction to the many actors in this thriller, the story takes off on a wild ride that makes it difficult to put down. The secretive machinations of various levels of government; the belief in violence as a valid means of getting what you want, the agony of losing loved ones all get a mention as we race from the desolate mountains of Arizona to the frozen wilds of Saskatchewan to the corridors of power in Washington – everything expertly described.
It would be nice to think stories like this might cause enough people to reconsider the way they live so they demand change, but of course that's not going to happen. Ever since humans learned to speak, wise men and women have warned about controlling our natural instincts, but it is clear nothing can stop us from lurching stupidly towards our own extinction like all top predators before us.
November 21, 2018
Frighteningly real
This story could be non-fiction someday. We really need to understand climate change and how to preserve our natural resources. Great read... Makes you think.
This story could be non-fiction someday. We really need to understand climate change and how to preserve our natural resources. Great read... Makes you think.
June 21, 2019
Hits on a very relatable topic.
A great read. All tied nicely together by the end.
But it's such a fantastic topic. Very relevant in today's culture and scenarios.
We need water just as we need air to survive!
Really good thriller!
A great read. All tied nicely together by the end.
But it's such a fantastic topic. Very relevant in today's culture and scenarios.
We need water just as we need air to survive!
Really good thriller!
June 25, 2019
A gripping read
A very believable read. Unfortunately, given the world in which we live and the leaders who have emerged in the major nations, too believable
A very believable read. Unfortunately, given the world in which we live and the leaders who have emerged in the major nations, too believable
June 21, 2019
When the Water Runs Out review
When the Water Runs Out is a fast paced, action packed thriller written by author David Canford. I highly recommend it.
When the Water Runs Out is a fast paced, action packed thriller written by author David Canford. I highly recommend it.
July 22, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not the usual type of book I would read but couldn't put it down !
July 3, 2019
Good read
Enjoyed this book immensely, good storytelling and a definite wake up call to us all. I recommend a good choice for your holidays. I will certainly be reading his other works.
Enjoyed this book immensely, good storytelling and a definite wake up call to us all. I recommend a good choice for your holidays. I will certainly be reading his other works.
July 5, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. The story line kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. It's a great conspiracy theory that I can imagine happening in real life.
August 17, 2019
Big picture
This story saw the moving parts and characters being moved into position and suddenly it all started with links being made between people and situations. There was a story about people but I liked the big picture, the dealing with a situation that could not be contained.
This story saw the moving parts and characters being moved into position and suddenly it all started with links being made between people and situations. There was a story about people but I liked the big picture, the dealing with a situation that could not be contained.
October 17, 2018
Interesting premise. Water in the Southwest and Southern California is going to run dry much faster than the models have indicated. The governors of California, Arizona and Nevada, along with the president, come up with a plan to tap Canada's vast lakes in the Northern Territory.
To avoid a financial panic, this must be done in absolute secrecy. Anyone not in the core group of insiders is a target for murder to keep them quiet.
Book is okay, but not great. Fast moving.
To avoid a financial panic, this must be done in absolute secrecy. Anyone not in the core group of insiders is a target for murder to keep them quiet.
Book is okay, but not great. Fast moving.
June 25, 2019
Proofreading is important
This book could be very exciting. It is based on a great idea. I was off put by many parts of the book which, had they been edited and rewritten just a smidge the sentences would have more power and the story even more punch.
This book could be very exciting. It is based on a great idea. I was off put by many parts of the book which, had they been edited and rewritten just a smidge the sentences would have more power and the story even more punch.
July 9, 2019
The premise is good but the execution is poor, the principle character comes across as incredibly dumb, and somehow, despite this, he manages to save the day through a series of ridiculously unlikely events.
June 21, 2019
When the Water Runs Out (Kindle Edition) by David Canford
Imagine, if you can, that water is running out in the Southwest. There's only a few months supply of it before California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada run out. You're the President of the US and you're running for re-election. What would you do?
Ted Jackson is a first-turn Democrat who is presented with just that. His administration comes up with a plan: build a pipeline from upper Canada to the southwest and keep it quiet until it's completed. His argument is that the economic collapse of the country if this were reality is too big; nothing should step in the way. In doing so he starts bending the law, forming shady deals with Michael Beaumont, the Canadian Prime Minister and goes as far as to kill any person who gets in the way, even if they are US Citizens. He's even willing to go to war with Canada to get his precious water!
Canford's thriller takes us through this path, using Angel Tarak--an Apache-- and a set of characters all of which create a book that reads itself. I finished it in two days.
Narrated from the third person point of view, the characters come alive and we go on a roller coaster with them. I enjoyed it a lot. It also points to a reality that we all seem to forget: "Nations have fretted often about oil running out and fought many wars to obtain and protect their supplies, but the liquid gold of this century is water. There is simply not enough of it to meet the needs of the world's population and, as many have predicted, the wars of the future will be about water."
To be fair, he should work on his point of view: it changes sometimes within a paragraph and it might be a little confusing. Nevertheless, I recommend the book highly!
Imagine, if you can, that water is running out in the Southwest. There's only a few months supply of it before California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada run out. You're the President of the US and you're running for re-election. What would you do?
Ted Jackson is a first-turn Democrat who is presented with just that. His administration comes up with a plan: build a pipeline from upper Canada to the southwest and keep it quiet until it's completed. His argument is that the economic collapse of the country if this were reality is too big; nothing should step in the way. In doing so he starts bending the law, forming shady deals with Michael Beaumont, the Canadian Prime Minister and goes as far as to kill any person who gets in the way, even if they are US Citizens. He's even willing to go to war with Canada to get his precious water!
Canford's thriller takes us through this path, using Angel Tarak--an Apache-- and a set of characters all of which create a book that reads itself. I finished it in two days.
Narrated from the third person point of view, the characters come alive and we go on a roller coaster with them. I enjoyed it a lot. It also points to a reality that we all seem to forget: "Nations have fretted often about oil running out and fought many wars to obtain and protect their supplies, but the liquid gold of this century is water. There is simply not enough of it to meet the needs of the world's population and, as many have predicted, the wars of the future will be about water."
To be fair, he should work on his point of view: it changes sometimes within a paragraph and it might be a little confusing. Nevertheless, I recommend the book highly!
July 20, 2019
Okay, so I thought this was really interesting. I know it's a novel, but it is filled with facts. Since I live in the affected area, I have long realized the importance of water and this book takes us one step further. The end of our water is coming. The next war will probably be over water, I had not thought it would be with Canada, but that certainly is a possibility. If we continue to over-run our waterless areas with people and their water needs, it will come to this. These areas can only sustain so much development and all the water saving plans, while they will help, in the end will not be enough. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the writing needed to be better I thought, but it kept me involved right to the end. Good luck to our residents in the affected areas!
May 22, 2018
eeee to manually restart the he to e to restart e to go through the tedious operate
A good listen, for a blind person, just a shame youngest to voice does stop frequently and you have to restart the text to voice again..
It's a big let down by Kindle the their Accessibility process is so complex. Worse once the text to voice option finally appears the page goes small and had to ask a sighted person where the tiny start admo button was.
Unlike Audible books were voice or read options can be set.at at start of membership.
THAT IS VERY GOOD ACCESSABILITY. Unlike Kindle.
Hope you. Read this Kindl
A good listen, for a blind person, just a shame youngest to voice does stop frequently and you have to restart the text to voice again..
It's a big let down by Kindle the their Accessibility process is so complex. Worse once the text to voice option finally appears the page goes small and had to ask a sighted person where the tiny start admo button was.
Unlike Audible books were voice or read options can be set.at at start of membership.
THAT IS VERY GOOD ACCESSABILITY. Unlike Kindle.
Hope you. Read this Kindl
October 20, 2018
I really hate writing negative reviews because I know how much work goes in to crafting a novel. Those who are in love with Political Correctness will probably like this novel. All the Native Americans and illegal aliens are pure as the driven snow, while most all of the whites, especially the politicians are positively oozing slime. Now, I don't object to the characterization of of politicians as self-absorbed narcissists but it gets old quickly. By page 91 I wanted to gag.
I've never met anyone who was all good or all bad. You want to meet them, read this book.
I've never met anyone who was all good or all bad. You want to meet them, read this book.
November 30, 2022
This book has a message that left me asking questions of myself. That's always a positive, right?
I'm not entirely sure how, but this book combines politics and thriller in a way that is neither overbearing or flippant. There's a huge cast of characters & this book moves at breakneck speed, dipping into their lives & grabbing the pieces of story that combine to become raised novel. And even with that, I cared about characters.
I'm not entirely sure how, but this book combines politics and thriller in a way that is neither overbearing or flippant. There's a huge cast of characters & this book moves at breakneck speed, dipping into their lives & grabbing the pieces of story that combine to become raised novel. And even with that, I cared about characters.
August 7, 2020
A scary and crazy story but possibly true
This was a great book to read and consider all the possibilities that this could really happen in the future. The characters were developed nicely making the story believable and captivating. I did have some difficulty following the cast of characters and how they were all involved. I liked the story though.
This was a great book to read and consider all the possibilities that this could really happen in the future. The characters were developed nicely making the story believable and captivating. I did have some difficulty following the cast of characters and how they were all involved. I liked the story though.
March 22, 2021
Brisk plot line that moves along with quick, choppy descriptions and skeletal structure. Two Dimensional characters. Exciting things do happen, but expect quick changes, lots of ultimatums, and simplistic reactions to and descriptions of complex problems. I did enjoy the correct and knowledgeable geography, and the wau the settings moved around.
June 27, 2019
An Original dystopian story
A logical if farfetched string of events make for an interesting plot. The characterizations seem sketchy and cliche as the many plot strings seem to be populated by too many similar people.
A logical if farfetched string of events make for an interesting plot. The characterizations seem sketchy and cliche as the many plot strings seem to be populated by too many similar people.
July 4, 2019
America is ...
Interesting story that was a little too " big brother is not only watching you but killing you". The conflict between Canada and the U. S. was a little too "America's the bad guy." for me.
Interesting story that was a little too " big brother is not only watching you but killing you". The conflict between Canada and the U. S. was a little too "America's the bad guy." for me.
July 21, 2019
A glimpse into potential future
Pretty quick read, and an interesting take on the potential future of the US. I’m interested in how the author researched the lives of the indigenous people to represent them to the best of his ability.
Pretty quick read, and an interesting take on the potential future of the US. I’m interested in how the author researched the lives of the indigenous people to represent them to the best of his ability.
August 5, 2019
DNF. I forced myself to chapter 7, but the poor grammar/proof-reading, and the unbelievability of characters' speech of actions did me in. (It didn't help that I'd recently finished the excellent "Dry" by Neal Shusterman, which ends rather as this one begins.)
August 28, 2019
more propaganda posing as truth.
don't need to be lectured. got ut in the 70s when we were going to enter a new ice age within 20 years. Now we might have to declare war on Canada. hohummm
don't need to be lectured. got ut in the 70s when we were going to enter a new ice age within 20 years. Now we might have to declare war on Canada. hohummm
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews