American Savage

Insights, Slights, and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love, and Politics

By: Dan Savage

Narrated by: Dan Savage

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Celebrated sex advice columnist and founder of the Emmy-winning It Gets Better campaign, Dan Savage delivers “powerful messages for both the head and heart” (Entertainment Weekly).

From the moment he began writing his syndicated sex-advice column, "Savage Love", Dan Savage has never been shy about expressing his opinion on controversial topics - political or otherwise. In the height of his activism, he addresses issues ranging from parenting and the gay agenda to the Catholic Church and health care. Among them:

• Why straight people should have straight “pride” parades, too
• Why Obamacare, as good as it is, is “still kinda evil”
• Why what passes for sex-ed in America is more like “sex dread”
• Why the Bible is “only as good and decent as the person reading it”

Speaking to a broad range of subjects with brutal honesty and irreverent humor, American Savage is a pivotal piece that cements Dan Savage’s place as a provocative and insightful voice in American culture.

©2013 Dan Savage (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"America’s most in-your-face sex columnist and gay-rights activist comes out swinging in these pugnacious, hilarious essays.... Underneath Savage’s scabrous, bomb-throwing exterior beats the heart of a softie." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"An extraordinarily personal, deeply felt book about traditional marriage, authentic and healthy religion and a traditional sex life." (The Washington Post)

"Savage's essays on fatherhood, cheating, and the subset of Americans, in American Savage, who still think sexuality is a choice are powerful messages for both the head and the heart." (Entertainment Weekly)

Full Disclosure...

Would you consider the audio edition of American Savage to be better than the print version?

Only because he's reading it. If you can't stand audio books get thee to a bookstore and get a copy.

Which scene was your favorite?

Discussion of the Gay Pride parade...fabulous.

Any additional comments?

I've been a fan of Dan Savage for several years. He's funny, forthright and gay (with a really hot hubby). It's good to see a new book from him and even better to hear him read it. If defense of gay rights & marriage and reality in general doesn't offend you then you will love this.

This book is a must!

I love Dan Savage. I started reading his column in the 90s and now I am a devoted listener of his podcast. He is witty and personable as well as well educated, common sensical, and fully researches his arguments. He writes of his own personal experiences from the heart and seamlessly weaves his own life stories into the important issues of today. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Great Listen

Great reflection on Dan's career and the LGBTQ movement. Funny and thought provoking and Dan's got a great reading voice.

when does a rant become a screed?

Any additional comments?

As one who agrees with almost every point Savage makes in his essays, he reads too fast , too loud. Some of his bitchy asides leave a harsh and nasty aftertaste. In print, the essays probably seem more moderate. But then, Savage wants to be anything but moderate. Okay, okay, I get it. Embrace change. Move forward. Let me out of here.

Dan Savage at his finest

Loved this book and Dan's narration. Funny and insightful, I couldn't stop listening! Dan Savage really knows his stuff.

Entertaining and moving

Loved this book. It was full of really touching stories, struggles and experiences of Dan's life and it is read perfectly. It's not going to convert anyone to his side of things so I wouldn't recommend it if you aren't like-minded but it sure made me laugh and cry and I even came away with some relationship tips for my own life.

YES!!!

Any additional comments?

If you're a fan of Dan Savage this is a must read... If you're not a fan of Dan Savage or have no idea who he is.. This is a must read!

Absolutely Excellent!

I'm straight, and I've learned a lot about the LGBT communities,
which helped me dissolve some false paradigms in my head.
Also Dan is a really good writer and narrater.
This audiobook is mostly funny and just makes you want to keep listening.
I should note the second half is mostly about American issues and policies,
but hey, it says "American" in the title, was still interesting.

Highly recommend this one!

Gotta Love Dan Savage

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, wholeheartedly. Why? Because Dan Savage is doing what he does best-- talking candidly-- often hilariously-- about issues. Not just LGBT issues, but religion, politics, and culture as a whole. Yes, he talks about LGBT issues, but he makes the argument very well that LGBT issues are "straight" issues.

If nothing else, his offer to the "choicers" is CLASSIC.

What did you like best about this story?

Dan Freaking Savage.

What about Dan Savage’s performance did you like?

He played Dan Savage REALLY convincingly.

Seriously, though, he does this well-- he's clear-spoken, entertaining, and he doesn't sound like he's reading from the book. He's just talking to you.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Rather a lot, actually. Him talking about his parents as he was growing up, and about his mother's death in particular.

You can't have opinions about truth.

What did you love best about American Savage?

His moving accounts of struggles with his Catholic roots. He is able to separate the ridiculousness of dogma from the power our upbringing has on our adult beliefs and perspectives. His writing about his mother, her faith, and her dying is stunning!

What other book might you compare American Savage to and why?

Christopher Hitchins, Sam Harris. Not everyone can pull off a rant. Just being angry and screaming about it is not winsome. Well-balanced arguments based on truth combined with rant do not appear frequently in our public discourse. We need more liberal rant, god knows we hear it too often from the EvangeloCatholicMorons.

What does Dan Savage bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His familiar voice - his persona. Love it. He's way sexy too.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

There were many. But more than compelling details regarding topics of our mutual interest is insight to Savage's unique personality. I'm very engaged by memoirs of our great queer icons. I can imagine a magnificent conversation with him in my library or his living room.

Any additional comments?

I said to my husband while listening to Savage: "How could anyone listen to this and not agree with him?" His arguments are informed and logical, and his anger is appropriate to the discrimination we have faced - and will continue to fight until it stops.