Salvation on Sand Mountain is a 1995 nonfiction book by Dennis Covington. 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.
 Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | Dennis Covington |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jim Neel |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Snake handling |
| Publisher | Addison-Wesley |
Publication date | 1995 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover · paperback) |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 978-0-14-025458-7 |
Writing style
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.
Reception
Salvation on Sand Mountain was a non-fiction finalist for the National Book Award. Publishers Weekly described the text as "a captivating glimpse of an exotic religious sect." 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."
References
External links