Name: Highways in Hiding by George O. Smith
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (11 reviews)
Author: Smith, George O. (George Oliver), 1911-1981

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Highways in Hiding by George O. Smith

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By Grayson Williams Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Freelancing

Authors: Smith, George O. (George Oliver), 1911-1981 Published By : Smith, George O. (George Oliver), 1911-1981

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever driven down a highway at night and wondered what's really out there in the dark? George O. Smith's 'Highways in Hiding' takes that feeling and runs with it. It's a classic sci-fi mystery that feels surprisingly modern. The story follows Steve Cornell, a man who gets into a car accident and wakes up in a strange, hidden world that exists parallel to our own, accessed through secret points on America's highways. He discovers a whole society of people with psionic powers—telepathy, telekinesis, you name it—living right under our noses. The big question is: are they hiding from us, or is someone or something hiding them? Steve has to figure out who he can trust in this invisible war, all while grappling with his own emerging abilities. It's a fast-paced, clever thriller that makes you look at the open road a little differently. If you like the idea of secret societies and psychic powers wrapped in a good old-fashioned adventure, this is your next read.

File: Highways in Hiding by George O. Smith

I picked up this 1950s paperback expecting a fun, pulpy ride, and it delivered that—but it also gave me a lot more to think about than I bargained for.

The Story

After a bad crash, Steve Cornell is rescued and taken to a mysterious hospital that doesn't appear on any map. He soon learns he's stumbled into the 'Hideout,' a secret network of communities for 'psis'—people with psychic talents. This hidden world uses the vast, anonymous system of American highways as its cover. But this isn't a peaceful sanctuary. Steve gets caught in the middle of a cold war within the Hideout itself. One faction believes in total secrecy and isolation from normal humanity. Another, more aggressive group wants to use their powers to control the outside world. As Steve's own latent abilities awaken, he has to navigate this maze of loyalties, figure out who the real enemy is, and prevent a hidden war from spilling onto the highways we all travel.

Why You Should Read It

First, it's just a really fun premise. Smith builds his hidden society with clever, logical details that make it feel plausible. The use of the highway system as a literal and figurative framework is brilliant. But what stuck with me were the themes. This isn't just a story about cool powers; it's about fear, prejudice, and the desire to belong. The psis are hiding because they're afraid of how 'normal' people would react to them. That metaphor—for any group that feels they have to hide a part of themselves—still resonates powerfully today. Steve is a great everyman guide, confused and skeptical but fundamentally decent, which makes the wild concepts easy to follow.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for fans of classic sci-fi who enjoy a mystery with their futurism. Think of it as a blend of 'The Fugitive' and 'X-Men,' written with the crisp pacing of a 1950s detective novel. It’s for anyone who loves a 'what if' story grounded in a familiar setting—you'll never pass a rest stop the same way again. A smart, speedy read that proves old-school sci-fi can still feel fresh and relevant.