Salvation on Sand Mountain

Salvation on Sand Mountain is a 1995 nonfiction book by Dennis Covington.[1] The storyline follows the author as he goes from covering the trial of Glenn Summerford to experiencing a snake handling church in Appalachia. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Salvation on Sand Mountain
Cover of the first edition
AuthorDennis Covington
Cover artistJim Neel
LanguageEnglish
SubjectSnake handling
PublisherAddison-Wesley
Publication date
1995
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover · paperback)
Pages272
ISBN978-0-14-025458-7

Writing style

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The book, which is written in the first person, begins in a neutral, journalistic style and becomes more emotional as the author is drawn to the people and practices of the church. It can be described as a memoir of the author's experiences with the snake-handling Church of Jesus with Signs Following and his temporary participation in their church.

Covington submerged himself into this congregation, and began to care tremendously for their beliefs.[page needed] That then forms into caring for Summerford, himself.[2]

Reception

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Salvation on Sand Mountain was a non-fiction finalist for the National Book Award.[3] Publishers Weekly described the text as "a captivating glimpse of an exotic religious sect."[4] Booklist described it as a "fascinating work [that] catches the essence of a place, southern Appalachia, its people, and the author's personal journey into his past."[5]

References

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  1. ^ Covington, Dennis (1995-01-01). Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia. Addison-Wesley. ISBN 9780201622928.
  2. ^ Covington, Dennis (1995). Salvation on Sand Mountain. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.
  3. ^ 1995 National Book Awards. https://www.nationalbook.org/awards-prizes/national-book-awards-1995
  4. ^ Publishers Weekly Review. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0140254587
  5. ^ Booklist Review. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0140254587
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