The Author: Thomas Burton has produced three documentaries on serpent handling and is a retired professor of English at East Tennessee State University.
Melding oral history with scholarly research, this remarkable book explores the controversial practice among some Christians of handling poisonous serpents as an act of faithful obedience. Dramatic photographs and interviews introduce readers to some of the devoted practitioners. Burton's respectful approach does not prevent him from asking hard questions, however, as he analyzes the history of the practice and accompanying ethical and legal issues. Having produced three documents on serpent handling, Burton (English, East Tennessee State Univ.) here, too, distills the salient issues while giving readers a glimpse of the serpent-handlers' culture, as they understand it. Highly recommended.-- Cynthia Widmer, Downingtown, Pa.
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