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.
Author | Dennis Covington |
---|---|
Cover artist | Jim Neel |
Language | English |
Subject | Snake handling |
Publisher | Addison-Wesley |
Publication date | 1995 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (hardcover · paperback) |
Pages | 272 |
ISBN | 978-0-14-025458-7 |
Writing style
editThe 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
editSalvation 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
edit- ^ Covington, Dennis (1995-01-01). Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia. Addison-Wesley. ISBN 9780201622928.
- ^ Covington, Dennis (1995). Salvation on Sand Mountain. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.
- ^ 1995 National Book Awards. https://www.nationalbook.org/awards-prizes/national-book-awards-1995
- ^ Publishers Weekly Review. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0140254587
- ^ Booklist Review. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0140254587
External links
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