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For anthropology graduate student Sam Delgado, headed to the wilds of Wyoming, this is his last chance to save his graduate career. He and his urban classmates see this as the adventure of a lifetime: They are going to horse-pack in the wilderness to map and test a high-altitude archaeological site.

Until a cyber attack collapses the American banking system, and an already fractured nation descends into anarchy and chaos. All credit frozen, Sam and his archaeological field school is trapped in their high-altitude camp. With return to the East impossible, Sam, the woman he has come to love, and the rest of the students must rely on hard-bitten Wyoming ranchers for their very survival.

Guided only by an illusive Shoshone spirit helper, Sam will discover the meaning of self-sacrifice. Even at the cost of his life.

Haunting, provoking, frightening and prescient - in the end, all that stands between civilization and barbarism is one young man's courage and belief in himself.

470 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2021

474 people are currently reading
232 people want to read

About the author

W. Michael Gear

176 books725 followers
W. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.

It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.

Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.

It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!

Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.

That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Bam cooks the books.
2,274 reviews317 followers
August 2, 2021
*4.5 stars rounded up! I have a not-so-secret love of apocalyptic fiction, especially when the doomsday scenario is all too plausible. In this novel, a cyberattack on the American banking system quickly brings down life as we know it.

The plot: Sam Delgado, an anthropology grad student from NYC, is on his way to Wyoming where he and a group of students will horse-pack into the wilderness for two months to map an archeological site. Sam is hoping to find inspiration there for his PHD dissertation.

The students are traveling in a 3-vehicle caravan into Wyoming when they hear the 'breaking news' that the FDIC has ordered closures of the baking system due to a cyberattack. It's the beginning 0f the long Memorial Day weekend so everyone is sure the banking problems will be solved by the time things reopen on Tuesday. But for now, only cash can be used--no credit cards!!--and there are signs that panic is already spreading at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores. The students have to pool their cash to pay for gas, food and motel rooms for one more night before they reach the Tappan family ranch.

Their hosts are local ranchers and outfitters and they have been contracted to provide the horses, camping equipment and food for the students so at least there are no worries on that front. But up in the mountains, cell phone service is spotty at best so they have very little contact with the outside world. What reports do get through seem to point to things going from bad to worse. How can this be happening? Should they try to head back home or stay where they are relatively safe for now?

Interspersed between the chapters of the current happenings are journal entries from Breeze Tappan, who has been studying economics at a university in Denver. She gives a wider view of what is happening and why, including commentary on the forces that have caused divisions among the American people--COVID, politics, the 2020 election--so that our faith in the system was already broken.

It's not a perfect book by any means but there's a lot to chew over and discuss. What you would do in this situation? I zoomed through it in just two days; once I got into the story, I couldn't put it down. It's a believable plot brought to life with interesting characters, dramatic tension and plenty of action. Many thanks to my husband for saying, 'Hey, you've got to read this book!' We're both eager to read more in this series.
Profile Image for Theresa.
8,230 reviews130 followers
April 30, 2021
As a long term fan, I can only hope that Michael Gear is not precognitive, although his prior books make you really really hope that he doesn't follow form. Dissolution, the breakup of the American way of life is extremely detailed and very frightening. The idea that life in the US is bound by a thin thread of trust. That we can break that thread easily and find that we are more vulnerable from internal conflict than anything outside. We are on a precipice of collapse because of the divisions in our society. The eternal blame game accentuates what divides us. Dissolution is a dark dark warning of what we can be if we don't find trust, unity, and responsibility. I stayed up last night finding that I could not sleep until I finished the story, the connection to the characters wants you to see it through. Like many of Michael Gears stories, when you turn the last page you want to know what happens next. I hope that they consider looking into writing another book. Can't wait for you to meet Sam.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,641 reviews62 followers
June 3, 2021
W Michael Gear – Wyoming Chronicles Bk 1 - Dissolution – Reviewed 6/2/21 – Read 5/31-6/1/21

What do you do when all credit freezes? Young anthropology students find out while on a dig!

Sam Delgado, an anthropology graduate was accepted for a new dig in Wyoming. He needed to find a subject for his dissertation and thought this would allow him to find it. On the drive from New York, he is paired in the same car with the woman that he is sure is the most wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman that he has ever known. Arriving in Wyoming they decided to gas up before they headed to the ranch that is hosting them for the dig. As they pulled into the station, they all looked up to something they had never seen before, signs that stated, “CASH ONLY”. Inside they inquired as to why the signs and the clerk told them that he did not know, but they could not get through and when they did all cards were declined. Everyone figured that because it was Memorial Day weekend, that the system would be cleared up when the banks opened on Tuesday. You have to realize that they are college students that survive only with the little plastic card that they carried. Cash was something that they rarely had seen. They pooled together their cash and gassed up, then continued to the Tappan ranch.

The dig site was near the ranch and the rancher had arranged everything for them, setting up a base camp and stocking it with supplies. Now they could get started working on the newly discovered ancient Native American village. They had decided to go on up to the base camp and start their work, figuring that the screw-up with the credit cards would be cleared up soon. Sam had been chosen as crew chief, which meant that he needed to make sure everyone did as Amber assigned to them. She was the co-Principal investigator under Dr. Evan Holly, a professor at the University of Wyoming. None of these kids had ever seen a horse up close and personal, much less ridden one. Now they were going to ride to the base camp, a trip of about seven miles. Dr. Holly had a surprise for everyone, as in addition to the village site, he had also been told about a spectacular cave, or so he said. They had barely gotten started flagging and laying out the outline of the village when the first storm hit them. They packed up and returned to the base camp, but shortly later they heard riders arrive. Bill Tappan, his son, Frank, and grandson, Brandon arrived with the news. The country was under martial law, the world as they knew it, computers, cell phones, electricity, and anything with a computer chip in it was dead! The east coast had been attacked and possibly the west coast, as they could not tell with no news broadcasts. Now they understood why ALL CREDIT WAS FROZEN!!!

Join Sam in discovering his spiritual guide, the love of his life, and a world out of a nightmare, all the while trying to find his way…

What did I like? Well, the last book I read made me open my eyes to the travel/hotel industry, immediately this one has hit me smack in the head. Now, first off, I know this is a fictional book, a what-if look, but what if????? Then I realized how much of my world depends on just the things that disappeared in this storyline. I have so many smart things around me, I am not sure I know how to turn on a light with my own hand, LOL! Well, then there is the computer that I spend a great deal of time in front of, telling you about the wonderful books that I read/listen to on my little electronic Ereader. I think my solar backup just moved up on my list of things to do!!! This is one GREAT BIG EYE OPENING read that should be a must for everyone. But the other thing that popped into my mind was an old movie, with one of my favorite actors, dearly departed Patrick Swayze! You got it, ‘RED DAWN’!! At least in that movie the kids knew how to handle weapons, these are city kids, and guns in their lives were used by criminals, not for protection, and food. The other thing I loved about this book was the look into Native American spiritual beliefs. Based on my background, it was most interesting.

What will you like? After you get over the shock of what I said above, you can start this read with the understanding that it is a look at the WHAT IF? Knowing that the author, also a physical anthropologist that studied at the Colorado State University Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, will help you understand why the storyline contains such excellent details. Colorado is a cowboy state, and I am sure that he has ridden a horse or two. His bio told us that he had a BMW motorcycle, a tent, a Sheltie dog, and spent time in Wyoming. He knows the area and it shows in his descriptions and details, he knows the people, the horses, the mountains, and most of all he knows how to put together a book that people should sit up and take notice of. The storyline may be just a fictional story, but the characters come to life under his pen, making this whole book more like a memoir. An excellent read that should be in your library for more reasons than one.

• ASIN: B08SHKQHXK
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 6/2/2021
• File Size: 5832 KB
• Print Length: 471 pages
• Genre: Western Science Fiction, Disaster Fiction, Teen & Young Adult Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic eBooks
Profile Image for Kymber Jones.
376 reviews6 followers
April 19, 2021
Dissolution by W. Michael Gear is an absolute phenomenal breakout book in a brand-new series!!

Dr. Gear is usually the second half of an outstanding anthropological husband and wife team that writes The First Americans series, but Dr. Gear also has several books of his own, and Dissolution of The Wyoming series is proving to be just as amazing an anthropological story as those he writes with his wife.

If you are a fan of Dr. Gear's prior work, you have to give Dissolution a chance. This story is a true symbol of the human heart and the struggle we face in our almost daily decisions of whether or not we are going to "follow the light or turn to the dark side" and the indomitable human spirit as the people refuse to give up and allow themselves to sink into despair.
61 reviews
June 9, 2021
Good Read

I’m a huge fan of this author and have spent many enjoyable hours reading his books on Native American culture. But a book that combines archaeology, native and western Americana, together with a standard TEOTWAWKI tale how can you go wrong? The characters are well crafted and the setting in the intermountain west was perfect. Everything is covered from Shoshone spiritualism to federal agent bad monsters and the heroes who take them down. It was an enjoyable read and I hope there will be a lot more volumes added to this series. The only shortcoming was the proofreading which fell WAY short of where it should have been for an author of this caliber. Hopefully future volumes will correct that problem. Highly recommended nonetheless.
Profile Image for Maya.
681 reviews12 followers
Read
August 18, 2024
DNF at 6 hours down, 7 hours left to go: slightly over 40 percent. I wasn't sufficiently interested in the characters or storyline to feel enriched or engaged.

Was vaguely uncomfortable the whole time with how people were described based on race and ethnicity, especially the women. That could just be me, but a further investment of 7 hours is best spent elsewhere.

I have a policy of sidestepping books with white people on the cover (although the man pictured here is likely the character Sam Delgado). This policy tends to hold true and when I bend it, it shows.
40 reviews
March 27, 2023
Modern version of Red Dawn with am emphasis on interpreting the social tensions of modern america
9 reviews
June 8, 2021
A novel for today

The author exposes the dangers inherent in our current situation and explores a set of possible consequences if we do not deal with our situation. The excerpts from Breeze’s journal do a wonderful job of turning an otherwise ordinary story into a soul searching encounter.
Profile Image for Sally Mander.
819 reviews24 followers
June 6, 2021
5 stars, Devolving of society

DISSOLUTION: THE WYOMING CHRONICLES, BOOK 1
by W. Michael Gear

This book has a little bit of everything, cyber-attacks, nuclear explosions, emp strikes, invasions, devolving of society as we know it, powerful people trying to take over a state or nation, and the people who fought back.

I received a complimentary copy of #dissolution with #thecowboy from #netgalley I was under no obligation to post a review.
55 reviews
June 7, 2021
Superb!

I have read all of the prehistory novels he and his wife have written, but never one of his. I enjoy post apocalypse novels. I was very please. He combined his archeology and native American knowledge in a very believable near future event. As an anthropologist having been on many field digs, I truly enjoyed it!
Profile Image for David Crow.
Author 2 books950 followers
March 1, 2023
This wonderful book is a great combination of archeology and dystopia with fabulous characters. A scary and great read. Very poignant.
Profile Image for S..
54 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2022
Thank you to DAW books, author, Michael Gear, and Theresa Hulongbayan, admin of Gear fan club: book series First North Americans and Gear fan club: Book series First North Americans. The former is the archived page. But both are in use.
I won this book in the monthly drawing.
Did I expect to be crying by page 27? No, I did not.
One of my favorite genres is Dystopian literature. One of my favorite authors who writes such literature is the late Shari S. Tepper. Why? Because her novels all end happily. BEAUTY is my favorite book of hers and the first book, other than the Bible, which I immediately re-read after finishing.

Well, I won DISSOLUTION in May and am currently on my third (fourth?) read. I told myself on this read that I would go at it with highlighters and scribbles in the margin. But, I haven't done that because AS USUAL I have become too engrossed. Tomorrow I will do it! (Maybe.)

You know how people say, "Oh, I relate to so-and-so" while reading a book? I rarely have that happen. Well! I was relating to everything by page 1~ !~ It is the story of a group of students from the East Coast heading to Northwest Wyoming to conduct an archeology dig on private land. The book begins on the Friday before Memorial Day. Did I mention I won this in the May drawing? Guess when I started reading it. The Tuesday before That Friday! Paranoid much?

On their way to Wyoming; the banks collapse. Oops. Gotta get gas? Want to use your credit card? Nope! Happy that somehow some of you have enough cash to pool your money to buy enough gas to get to your destination? Yep.

One of the students, Shanteel, is from what I would consider a ghetto. She is angered by the sight of a man driving a big pickup truck on I-80 along Lincoln, NE. I am not yanking your chain when I say, "I have seen that pickup!"

How do you get to Northwest Wyoming from I-80? You get off on I-25. Have I driven this road? Yep. Have I ever stopped for gas at a Flying J? Yep. Am I now getting goose bumps? You betcha.

And then...Sam Delgado. The son of restaurant owners: Sam grew up as free labor starting when he was old enough to reach the sink. Huh. I grew up as free labor starting at five. The woman he is in major lust with is Shyla. Way too close to my name for comfort.

And then there is Breeze Tappan. She is one of the Tappans that own the ranch where the students are headed. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from her journal. She is living in Denver when the banks crash. She is studying finance. Each entry deals with explanations on why the country collapsed. And how people are surviving or dying.

The Gears, W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear are archeologists who use their novels to teach. I appreciate that. But, man, this is all too close for comfort. Michael says I am emotionally invested. Yep.

Thankfully, Book Two: FOURTH QUADRENT is out. I am begging for Book Three. And hoping for Book 18.

Blessings!
Profile Image for Brett's Books.
378 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2022
Engaging, but Flawed

I’d recommend Mr. Gear’s apocalyptic read; mostly on the strength of gov characters. Mr. Gear created a few characters that are interesting and I as a reader, I became invested in them, I wanted to see where their stories led. The descriptions of Wyoming and it’s environs was very fascinating, I really enjoyed it. Additionally, I found The elements of Indian spirituality interesting. I can tell the author respects those belief systems and his introduction of Indian belief system helped build the world, and enriched the book. This point leads me to the first flaw of the work: the author’s respect of Faith doesn’t appear to extend to any other belief system. That bias is explicit through nihilistic statements from the characters (i.e. G*d’s dead) and also implicitly based on the absence of any other Faith. So while I appreciate the author’s inclusion of Indian beliefs, meaningful acknowledgment that other types of believers exist, and would turn their belief systems in just the type of crisis the book is set in, is a glaring omission. Another flaw, Mr. Gear’s lack of finesse in dealing with emotional trauma, much of the emotional pain the author described felt ham fisted or forced. The main character Sam falls in love with Shyla during a crisis and their brief romance ends traumatically. Fine. The worlds falling apart, characters pair up for support, totally human and a traumatic end is a legitimate source of pain. The author could (should) acknowledge that the pain stems both from the crazy apocalyptic setting and the loss of a new love, to make the characters expression of pain seem authentic. Instead our author fails to build the basis for the pain, describes Sam’s repeated histrionic agonies, and they just ring hollow, I mean he’s only known Shyla a couple of weeks… Mr. Gear did not do the work period, the emotions feel cheap because the foundation isn’t there. There are other mild quibbles (the opposites attract romance between Shanteel and Brandon felt equally unbelievable, see above) (the good guys executing the bad guy in a court room, laughably over the top) but those were the biggies. “A” for engaging characters, and which is the most element of any work of fiction. A strong recommend.
Profile Image for Monique.
207 reviews
September 6, 2021
Dissolution follows a group of anthropologists who are one their way to a dig site in Wyoming when banking system crashes. They manage to make it to their dig site where they meet survivalists who help them survive the coming storm.

The beginning of the novel was amazing. I loved the diary entries at the end of each chapter that talks about the impact the banking crash had on society and the average person. I liked how social media was discussed as I know social media affects everyone but I didn’t realize how entrained in everyday life it has become.

The last third of the novel wasn’t as good as it felt too much like a shooter game. They were plenty of action, gun battles, and a war against the bad guy. I could see this happening, but not so soon after the fall of a country. I could see warlords rising but not in the weeks portrayed in this novel.

The characters were okay but far too cliche. Characters from cities were hipsters and characters from the country were hicks.

I loved the dystopian fall of the country and then the world. I could see this actually occurring as the safety measures we have in place to prevent this aren’t as strong as we think.

Unlike some dystopian novels the reader learns what has occurred in the rest of the world, which I LOVE. I only wish Canada was mentioned as we do share a border with the USA.

I would suggest this novel to action/dystopian fans as it takes on a different angle form the world ending.

Thank you to Wolfpack Publishing LLC and NetGalley for this ARC.
92 reviews
December 14, 2022
well written, just my cups

I reasonably well written story, good pacing, good editing, solid layout, reasonable storyline.
The authors been paying attention to author 101. Almost every character has some defect to make them more interesting, which pretty much works.
Also the author is also not afraid to take chances and make irrevocable character decisions, and I find that to be very refreshing.

That said, on the topics I know things about details were wrong, from guns, to religion, to history. Everything was slanted to an agenda. For example, no competent scholar translates the commandment as “thou shall not kill”, instead it’s translate as “thou shall not commit murder.” that’s two very different things. If the author had done this as an advanced technique, where different characters viewed the world from different lenses, I would be fine with that as it’s just great writing. But that’s not how I saw it come across.

Without revealing any spoilers, the male protagonist tendency to fall instantly in love easily, truthfully and completely is simply not plausible. Similarly, the surprise reveal for a female protagonist at the end about why she broke with her family in no way, improves the storyline, and instead causes us to wish that she and Amber had exchanged rolls.
Overall book was technically well executed, but felt depressing. If I want books this depressing, I’ll read classic Russian literature. My preference in fiction is uplifting interesting and entertaining with a little bit of learning built-in.
This book was just not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Vic.
455 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2022
Ever wonder about how fragile our cyber infrastructure really is? Ever consider what would happen if the entire national banking system was shut down due to malware? How about how we might survive an attack on American soil given how divided and fractured American society has become? How the state you live in would handle any of these disasters? If not, buckle up for a clear eyed look in, Dissolution (The Wyoming Chronicles #1).

W. Michael Gear, as he so often does in his writing, once again lays out in painful detail, the human cost involved in surviving a calamity. A conflagration. A war. A revolution. A nation without a functioning government. The lawless acts of greedy men overreaching for power. Nation states willing to risk annihilation in pursuit of their quests for power and domination.

His story, Dissolution, makes it obvious that we, contemporary America, will not fare so well. Tens of thousands of years or development as human beings and nothing changes. People are wired to react in predictable ways when threatened, scared or attacked: fight or flight. Some will give up, some will rise to the challenge, most will follow a strong leader in hopes of salvation. Most of us have no idea how we'll react to extreme hardship, stress or whether our survival instincts will kick in to give us a fighting chance.

Gear's characters are put in exactly that situation as America is brought to its knees. Denied financial credit. Loss of everything of value including wealth, food, property and propriety. When laws fail to protect. When government fails to provide a solution. When individual moral compasses are tested. When people are forced into impossible situations. When someone with a moral code to respect life, to not kill another human, is faced with the final choice: me or him.

Like with all of Gear's writing there is an element of teaching that fits seamlessly with his fiction. But one of the things he excels most at is reducing the amount of speculation, misguided thinking and lack of understanding about the basics. About a population that has mostly grown soft with expectations that some things will always be available: food, electricity, fuel, shelter, the safety of a strong government that is supposed to protect its citizens. The other is pointing out that we can and will adapt when pushed to the limit. That human beings are strong, resilient and will fight to survive and it has been that way since the we first stood upright and began the fight to stay alive in world that wanted to kill us.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,928 reviews66 followers
September 3, 2021
This book starts with a good-sized group of characters heading for a summer anthropological dig and they are replete with diverse backgrounds. Early on we are provided with a laundry list of each person and a bit about their bio, almost like the prologue to a play or movie script, so you get an idea as to who is who. It was a bit dry. I do like that the author made some points about what a beautiful state Wyoming is, though less about the homogeneity of the p0pulation. I was worried that we would be faced with some right-wing, MAGA ranch people who would hold in contempt the more liberal college students, but thankfully, that really didn't happen. The author made some attempts to have both sides of the political divide try to see the other and in the end, they had to work together to survive. I was a bit surprised that the ranch family seemed tepid about how to respond to the idea that some governmental emperor-wannabe would take their guns and property. I would usually expect a strong hell-no response. Sam's constant internal musings started to bog down the story and I don't really buy that a few ranch people and college students could successfully attack an isolated citadel with well-armed security. The Native-American mysticism was interesting, though the intent seemed a little erratic. Nonetheless, I generally enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Tyler.
795 reviews16 followers
August 23, 2023
Dissolution is the first book in the Wyoming Chronicles by W. Michael Gear. A group of anthropology students head to the hills of Wyoming for field work, while a cyber attack on the banking system leads to chaos and a breakdown in society.

This was easy to read and well written, and the author does a great job of capturing the characters' gradual realisation of what's happening in the cities; their dismay and disbelief. On the flipside it also shows the positives of the group working to a common goal, and living for hope rather than disillusionment.

It also realistically described the beautiful countryside (the author lives in Wyoming) and straight-talking way of the locals - reminded me a lot of Yellowstone. I was also a bit surprised (and heartened) that the author didn't represent all the local people as far right wingers, with balanced views on many topics.

There were similarities to the Donovan books - strong female characters, big what-if questions asked like would you sacrifice a few to save many - but also differences, with the Donovan books being more positive (and the completely different setting).

A good read overall, fairly slow paced (and average cover) but that was OK - though not as good (or SFnal) as the Donovan books, which have become a favourite recently.
Profile Image for JLG.
74 reviews
November 9, 2021
This was a good story in the sense that it was a new and refreshing take on the end of the world. But alas, this book's failure was in the characters and their development. Most of the women are manlier than the men, have big, bulging muscles (the author's description, not mine), and are incredibly smart about anything and everything, far beyond the story's stated place in the world. The men, on the other hand, with the exception of the cowboys and ranchers, are wimpy, stupid, borderline effeminate and do such weird things as become horrified and weep openly at the sight of a military flight of warplanes headed west. The women are all incredibly knowledgeable about weapons and the men are clueless. I mean no disrespect to women in any manner in writing this review. The way the author designed the characters annoyed me to the point I almost closed the book many times. The university funding the student's archeology trip even pays for non-archaeology students to join the fun, which in my experience, would not be likely. The author's description of places and people in the beautiful state of Wyoming (my home all of my life) is very thorough and accurate, and is much appreciated. But the story's characters just kill an otherwise wonderful book.
Profile Image for Lyndi (mibookobsession).
1,518 reviews47 followers
May 8, 2023
I've read several of this author's early North American series and love the level of detail and imagination he puts in his writing, but this book was completely different from what I expected. I love apocalyptic books and this one just blew me away! Our main character, Sam Delgado, is a graduate on a research trip that he plans to use as the topic of his dissertation. Along with his classmates, they're headed to a ranch in Wyoming that's agreed to host their trip, providing supplies and horses to travel to the archeological site where they'll do mapping and testing. Their first idea that something's wrong comes when they stop at a gas station accepting cash only. Being a holiday weekend, they assume everything will be fixed the next week and continue on. Being in the wilderness with very little reception, they continue to be oblivious until some ranch hands come to tell them that the country has been hit by a cyberattack and the nation has descended into chaos.
I'm so glad this book is only the first in a series! I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Theresa.
8,230 reviews130 followers
October 23, 2022

Dissolution (The Wyoming Chronicles, #1)
by W. Michael Gear
As a long term fan, I can only hope that Michael Gear is not precognitive, although his prior books make you really really hope that he doesn't follow form. Dissolution, the breakup of the American way of life is extremely detailed and very frightening. The idea that life in the US is bound by a thin thread of trust. That we can break that thread easily and find that we are more vulnerable from internal conflict than anything outside. We are on a precipice of collapse because of the divisions in our society. The eternal blame game accentuates what divides us. Dissolution is a dark dark warning of what we can be if we don't find trust, unity, and responsibility. I stayed up last night finding that I could not sleep until I finished the story, the connection to the characters wants you to see it through. Like many of Michael Gears stories, when you turn the last page you want to know what happens next. I hope that they consider looking into writing another book. Can't wait for you to meet Sam
67 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2021
Great read BUT

The beginning of this book really passed me off. I struggled through and as the main character became rational while reality slapped him in the face he grew to hnow social media isn't social but destructive. But the author cannot hide his content for trump.
Another falicy the author pushed that still has me reading that two people from different backround can have the same woke experience of the police. # one her mother was killed by them (never did explain why they had to most likely a career criminal )and #2 He was in some mysterious way violently maybe harassed by police just by reading the FBI STATS We find this interaction to be preposterous and why the author decided to create it invalidates a really good story. He should not only write but learn from his own stories. Lies can become truth. Like author as a writer as a man? A true American i have my doubts
Profile Image for Karen J. Mossman.
Author 46 books208 followers
January 28, 2022
This is a large book of 394 pages, probably a little larger than I like to read, but that pales into oblivion when the story is as good as this one.

It’s the first time I’ve read this popular author and I must say, what a joy to read. Every word counted in moving the story along as to why society broke down. There is no natural disaster, no big bang and it all happened with one simple action. The banks closed. The effect was like a line of dominoes crashing into each other.

Sam Delgado, a normal every day guy is suddenly thrown into an abnormal situation. Forced to fight the crisis he and his friends found themselves in, Sam has a tough time, both mentally and physically.

I found myself swept along with everybody else, feeling their panic and fear. I held my breath devouring the words to find out what would happen. How would they cope? What would they do?

The story absorbed all my downtime and when it ended, I knew it had really only just begun.
Profile Image for Jon.
983 reviews15 followers
February 7, 2022
Scary as hell.
There's a "diary entry" in this book that talks about how, when the triggering event occurred, our politicians and media had done such an effective job of setting Americans at odds with each other that there was not enough trust left between factions, and society by and large simply imploded. Doesn't require much in the way of science fiction's "willing suspension of disbelief" to accept the premise, I'm afraid.
I've often said over the last decade or so that money is a ficitional concept, based on nothing but the agreement to treat it as a valid form of exchange between consenting adults; a bunch of ones and zeroes in cyberspace, for most part. Our fiat currency, the US dollar, used to be backed by an actual "hard" asset, gold, but that was done away with around fifty years ago, so Gear's story about hackers taking down the banking system and destroying, first, the US, and later the world economy could happen at any time.
Do you have faith that your fearless leaders in the free world actually understand economics and could rapidly restore or rebuild our system without running roughshod over our liberties? Better read Gear's book to see how things could all end up in the crapper.

I've been reading Gear's books for decades, and this author hasn't disappointed yet.
35 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2021
I wish everyone in America would read this book. I rooted for these characters all the way through. It is the most realistic apocalyptic book I believe I have ever read. I don't think we realize just how easy it would be for one of our enemies to do something like this. We are so focused on things that won't actually matter in the long run and so divided because of those things. We think we are invulnerable, or perhaps we truly believe our enemies won't ever act against us. This book does a marvelous job putting all of that into perspective. If you've ever wondered what might happen in America if those hackers decided to do something really big, this is the read for you. I am looking forward to Book Two. I want to find out what happens with Sam, Breeze, Thomas, Brandon, Shanteel, etc.
Profile Image for Cynde.
740 reviews23 followers
August 24, 2021
While the book is as brilliant as all his writings, this one was really hard to get through because it was real and could happen to us at any time. This book is just too real, I had to put it down and walk away. The emotions he evokes, the characters he built are just like people you know and the threat and the reactions are all too real. That said it is a timely book and needs to be read much like "One Second After" by Wm. Forstchen. They are books that show possible real realities. It makes you think and wonder how you would react. We came close with Covid world wide panic.
This is an excellent book that has to be read with perseverance and fortitude. This is not happening in a galaxy far far away where the consequences are fantasy. This is so real ,it smacks you in the face!
Profile Image for ernest Lohberger.
16 reviews
May 15, 2023
clever premise

A well written story although the premise that everything will collapse if the banks cannot issue atm credit is a bit too farcical. Recently the major and in most areas here, only bank, had a computer malfunction which cancelled the data of its 1.5 million customers. No-one could get money out but within days a semi barter system evolved and life went on until the glitch was fixed 2-3 weeks later. However it is a third world country [PNG] Some scenarios were a bit lacking in details and the idea that two groups of people with inadequate clothing and no food could traverse a mountain on foot, which took three days on horses, in terrible weather is also a bit unrealistic. But on the whole a good and interesting book.
Profile Image for Kate Rhoads.
Author 1 book3 followers
July 6, 2021
I think I will have to re-read this one before I move on to the next

Maybe I can describe this book more by what it wasn’t. It wasn’t a laundry list of things you need to survive an apocalyptic event. It wasn’t a nonstop crush of horrific moments, descriptions of men declining into barbarism. It wasn’t an unskilled storyteller journaling and unemotional. It wasn’t an unbelievable extinction event with a killer of the human race though it was definitely a believable world changer.
I do recommend this book, and I applaud the author in his talent. Not without flaws, but filled with … Hope for a world that is seemingly unraveling.
13 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2021
One of the most compelling books I've read in years

I read a lot, I mean like a book a day. I've been doing this for several years now and my taste ranges from post apocalypse to historical non-fiction and scientific fiction with many things in between. This is an amazing experience! Once you start reading you get drawn in and can't put it down. The character development is solid, it has lots of action and suspense as well as a wealth of information from our monetary system to Native American beliefs. Throw in a little romance and suspense and what you get is an amazing novel. Well worth reading.
4 reviews
April 29, 2023
And I thought the"People" series was good!

I have read many, but not all, of the "People " series the author and his wife produced. Everyone of them were engaging and an incredibly entertaining read.
"DISSOLUTION" is an absolute masterpiece. I have read much dysoptian fiction over the last 15 years, beginning with One Second After. Mr Gear's story telling, ability to craft a mind visual to match the reading is amazing. Wear as the previous mentioned title did the same, Mr Gear brought out emphatic feelings in me for the story and it's characters.
Could not put this book down for 2 full days. And I am extremely pleased that there is more to come in it's sequel.
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