In the House of the Serpent Handler: A Story of Faith and Fleeting Fame in the Age of Social Media

Duin examines several families in Appalachia who attend churches that practice the handling of venomous snakes as part of their old-time religion. In the face of the deaths of members, they soldier on with the goal of proselytizing up and coming generations. Pastors and church members speak for themselves in her book about their work of bringing their traditions to the public—like their earlier attempt--the TV series Snake Salvation. They enlist social networking in their attempt to capture converts. Upon the death of yet another member, the life of the last Pastor standing took on a definite downward trajectory that included prison time. No matter, he remains determined to take their death-defying tradition to others. Annotation ©2018 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)