A Sledgehammer Swing on the Rock of Religious Superstition

During the 1970s Adam Heath was hated by thousands in America’s Bible Belt. As a struggling Nashville songwriter turned professional ‘wrassler’, Adam adopted the ring persona of THE HEATHEN. His sacrilegious ring antics encouraged by a publicity hungry promoter infuriated fans throughout the Midsouth. Soon the KKK, a group cloaked in a virulent strain of Christian fundamentalism, viewed his popularity as an existential threat to Southern culture. They plan a spectacular and deadly event designed to trigger a national cleansing as well as jump-start America’s return to a God-fearing white nation. While the book examines the dark and superstitious impulses of religious bigotry, it also shines a spotlight on the seeds of white nationalism planted decades ago, now blossoming in today’s poisonous political atmosphere. The novel beautifully weaves the hard-scrabble world of Nashville songwriting with the sleazy underbelly of regional Southern wrestling. At the same time, it carefully documents the main character’s slow renunciation of his tenuous faith while embracing the rational philosophy of free-thinking Humanism.

Excommunicated Catholic.. Nashville’s most “unsung” songwriter (literally). Basketball prime was after the sky hook but before the alley-oop. Still undefeated on the heavy bag after forty years. Perfectly happy to send thoughts but not prayers. Astounded by the Earth’s rotation. Loved teaching Macbeth. Grateful to the players who bought into the dream. This flicker of consciousness is heaven enough for me.