re: #19 iceweasel

Speaking of fringe Christianity, I forgot to recommend Salvation on Sand Mountain, by Dennis Covington. An inside look at a group of snake-handling Pentecostal congregations in north Alabama. Absolutely riveting, with not a hint of tabloid-esque or exploitation. It’s stayed in my mind for years.

Also partly a murder mystery, as one of the pastors is charged with attempted murder after supposedly forcing his wife’s arm into a cage of snakes. Moments of unexpected humor, including my favorite line, a witness testifying in the trial:

Attorney: “Reverend, you and your wife breed these snakes, am I correct?”

Witness: “No, sir. They do that by theirselves.”