Loving Little Egypt: A Novel (Phoenix Fiction) [Paperback]

Thomas McMahon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226561097 | ISBN-13: 978-0226561097 | Publication Date: October 15, 2003 | Edition: 1

In the early 1920s, nearly blind physics prodigy Mourly Vold finds out how to tap into the nation's long distance telephone lines. With the help of Alexander Graham Bell, Vold tries to warn the phone companies that would-be saboteurs could do the same thing, but they ignore him. Unfortunately, his taps do catch the notice of William Randolph Hearst, who hires Thomas Edison to get to the bottom of them—and the chase is on!

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Imagine E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime rewritten by a mellower, comically more benevolent Thomas Pynchon and you might have a novel something like this one. Real peopleAlexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, William Randolph Hearstare involved in imagined events, and historical facts counterpoint fictional themes. Mourly Vold, a nearly blind student, discovers how to make free telephone connections and creates a communications network of blind people called the Party Line. Hearst, hearing of this, fears a conspiracy of Bolsheviks or Mexican anarchists, and enlists the aid of his old crony Edison in catching the dangerous miscreant. All is resolved in a broadly farcical (though perhaps too hurried) conclusion, with many chuckles along the way and some interesting speculations on the nature of scientific investigation. An intriguing and enjoyable romp by the author of McKay's Bees . Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

In the early 1920s, nearly blind physics prodigy Mourly Vold finds out how to tap into the nation's long distance telephone lines. With the help of Alexander Graham Bell, Vold tries to warn the phone companies that would-be saboteurs could do the same thing, but they ignore him. Unfortunately, his taps do catch the notice of William Randolph Hearst, who hires Thomas Edison to get to the bottom of them—and the chase is on!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (October 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226561097
• ISBN-13: 978-0226561097
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 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: #1,500,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll love Loving Little Egypt, March 9, 2000

By 

L. Lang (Bay Area, California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Little Egypt (Hardcover)

Loving Little Egypt is a fascinating tale of Little Egypt, a blind young man who finds adventure wandering the phone network with his friends, an early "phone phreak" or a forerunner hacker. A rich emotional tapestry, set off with vivid cameo appearances by Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford. The novel resonates for years to come, so I'm puzzled that this book and other McMahon novels have gone out of print. If you can find it, read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story in a Fascinating Historical Setting, January 17, 2008

By 

T. Steinborn "Dr. T" (Prescott AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Little Egypt: A Novel (Phoenix Fiction) (Paperback)

Loving Little Egypt tells a rollicking good story that makes a seemingly unlikely series of events seem very plausible. The situation of a bunch of blind and nearly blind kids taking on some of the industrial giants of the 1920's is handled well with very plausible depictions of Alexaznder Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, William Randolph Hearst and host of addtional "cameo appearances" by other well-known figures of the time. The book contains enough historical accuracy to make it all seem possible. The book reminded me a bit of Thunderstruck by Erik Larson. It was a very enjoyable read!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Novel With A Thought Provoking Premise, February 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Loving Little Egypt (Hardcover)

The underlying premise of "Loving Little Egypt" is a little far-fetched but intriguing: a sight impaired young man in the early part of the 20th Century finds friendship (with Alexander Graham Bell, among others), a sense of purpose and self confidence through his ability to manipulate the telephone system of the day to his own means and ends. I read (and re-read) this marvelous novel a long time ago, so I do not recall all its details. But now, so many years later, I am still left with the distinct feeling that I had partaken of something very, very special. "Loving Little Egypt" is not an easy book to come across, so if you find it in some second-hand book shop, be sure to buy it and read it. I guarantee that you will love it, and its characters, as much as I did.