"Cadillac Desert" is a detailed exploration of the water crisis in the American West. The book delves into the history, politics, and environmental impact of water development in this region, highlighting the role of government policies and engineering projects. It also discusses the unsustainable use of water resources, the impact on local ecosystems, and the potential consequences of continued mismanagement, providing a comprehensive overview of a critical environmental issue.

Set in the American West during the era of the transcontinental railroad, this novel follows the story of a Chinese-American assassin, Ming Tsu, who was forcibly taken from his homeland and trained by a crime boss. After falling in love and marrying a woman against the wishes of his boss, Ming is separated from his wife and sent to work on the railroad. He escapes and embarks on a quest for vengeance against the men who wronged him, using his lethal skills to exact justice. Along the way, he gathers a posse of outcasts, and together they navigate the harsh realities of a landscape marked by violence and racism. The narrative weaves elements of Western genre with magical realism, exploring themes of love, revenge, and the search for redemption in a lawless land.