Linehand [Paperback]

Clay Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2003

Eighteen-year-old Glade Elliott stands among a group of men, gazing up at a daunting sight, a narrow pole, planted in the ground shooting straight up into the sky. The gruff superintendent in charge holds up a set of 'climbers' and a belt. 'Who's first?' he asks. After watching several men awkwardly attempt to climb the pole and struggle to get back down, Glade accepts the challenge. With youthful agility and swiftness, he gallops up to the top of the pole and carefully climbs back down. Little does Glade realize that this skillful display will change the course of his young life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I entered the electric power construction business at the age of nineteen and retired after forty years. Along the way I came to realize that the lives of linemen are like belonging to a secret society - a real band of brothers.

Most people know something of the work of linemen, but have little concept of the training or dangers. I met many unique characters and saw how dangerous incidents brought them together. I felt a need to write about the lives of these men and women. This is it...

About the Author

Clay Brown graduated in nineteen fifty-three. After a year of college, he had to look for work, and by coincidence, found it at an electric utility. He began on a construction crew. He also enrolled in night classes at the local community college to study engineering. Later, he joined another utility as an engineer, advancing to District Engineer, then moved back to construction as an Assistant Superintendent. He held titles of District Line Superintendent, Division Line Superintendent, Division Operations Manager, retiring as Area Operations Manager.During his years, he served on many committees. The Public Safety Committee, the Washington State Code Committee, sub-committees for the National Electrical Safety Code, on labor negotiations committees, and as chairman of Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403366020
• ISBN-13: 978-1403366023
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #986,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about the lives of powerlinemen, March 9, 2003

By 

Dale Jenkins (Brighton, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linehand (Paperback)

This effort has been due for a long time. The author has written a wonderful story, and has given the reader a glimpse into the little known world of high voltage linemen. I particularly enjoyed the characters in the book and felt they were interesting, but real. I could picture each of them while the author allowed me to view them through my own eyes. I really enjoy a fun and captivating story that also helps me to visit the world of these linemen. I'll be waiting for another from this author. The illustrations are also outstanding.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine book and a great tribute, February 24, 2003

By 

George Jenkins (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linehand (Paperback)

I do not read a lot of books, but I would if I could find more like this one. It kept my attention and I could not set it aside until I read the last page. I even read it the second time and it was even better. Never read any book over like that.

Clay Brown has created (or described) a group of people that I feel I've met myself, and wound them into a spellbinding story that will live with me forever.

The hero, Glade Elliott, shares the spotlight with the old lineman, Mecham, and many of those he meets along the way. I especially liked the wisdom of Cecil Spaudette and I think I know Duke Driscoll personally. I can sure relate to him.

Glade is the kind of a person I could really like, but he's not able to deal with women. Then, who is?

I will wait impatiently for the next book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, February 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Linehand (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book and story more than any I can remember. The hero is an example of what people can and should be. I learned a lot about powerline construction as I enjoyed this engrossing tale of mid-century America

This novel will undoubtedly become a classic in the line of work of linemen averywhere and will introduce the world to their lives and characters.

Young Glade Elliott starts the journey as he meets the man that will set a new life path for him. Mecham, a strong character in any setting, adopts the recent high school graduate and gives him the basics for learning how to be a lineman. Glade then departs for the gypsey-like life of the tramp lineman. Work experiences mix with life and love along the way.

Glade grows steadily throughout the book, from the first page to the last, and the reader shares his frustrations and elations as he learns the hard way about the hazards and dangers of working power lines.

Again, it is a truly great story about a great band of men.