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)

My first 5-star to any book - this one deserves it

What did you love best about American Savage?

As someone who doesn't necessarily share all of Mr Savage's views, this book had me question many of my beliefs, and gave me great ammunition for future debates with friends. While many of the points he raises are defensive and come as a rebuttal to an assumed "Republican" or "Christian" attack, you can hardly help but agree and enjoy the entertainment value of this book.

Still great, still relevant 11 years later

Dan Savage is a treasure. Finally got a chance to listen and while I had hoped I would see that we’d moved past many more issues than we have, sadly this book is just as relevant today, even if some of the bigoted hateful players and topics have changed slightly.

You will laugh, you may cry and will probably fume

Dan Savage is a polarizing kind of guy, he’s one of the bogeymen for the religious and political right, a leading LGBT rights activist and tireless campaigner for marriage equality. He’s also a funny, clever enormously readable and (a characteristic quite rare nowadays) wise writer. This well written and frequently quite moving book will likely particular appeal to certain constituents.

If you are GGG with the whole LGBT marriage equality message this book is a handy guide to your positions and arguments. If you are a Fox News aficionado who thinks that women should not have control over their own reproductive health and two people of the same gender being married threatens your marriage then you may still find this book entertaining and it will give you something to shout at in the car.

Dan calls out the misogynist, homophobic, anti-science and bigoted vocal crowd led by Bachmann, Palin and Cruz one topic at a time. He gives the arguments for issues, many of which aren't even regarded as topics worthy of debate in the rest of the civilized world.
It’s a little depressing to hear the level of stupidity that Dan calls out and answers so succinctly. If you follow Savage Love (his excellent weekly podcast) you will be familiar with his brand of pithy and frequently very funny common sense, this is a must read for you. If you have seen Dan speaking on LGBT issues as the “Token Gay” on shows like Bill Mahr or even Fox News you might have noticed how approachable and funny he is. This book gives him room to explore and explain in much more depth but always with that wry good humor we have come to expect from him. This is a well thought through, well structured, well informed and enormously entertaining exploration of the social and political questions which most divide our country…if you care about these issues (from either side) you should read this book.

Biased much?

Dan Savage can do no wrong! I'm an avid follower of his podcast, I love his take on relationships and sex, so maybe, I'm just a little bit biased. But who cares, right?

American Savage: Short Review

There are many who have never had a mentor/life coach for the various types of relationships and situations one may encounter as a member of the LGBT community.

To this day one is still hard to find, until you have herd/read the work of Dan Savage.

Learn what Dan thinks about ______

Fans of Dan Savage probably already know his opinion on a far range of subjects, as he is not one to hide his opinion. But this books details his opinion with nuance and details on not always provided to him in shorter formats.

Dan's book has some interesting anecdotes and stories, but it is more of an editorial than a biography. His views are thoughtful, and his tone is engaging. The book is a fun listen with Dan's original wit, humor and irreverence that people both love and hate him for.

A Book of Realities

If you could sum up American Savage in three words, what would they be?

Truth-Telling

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

A rational argument for the simple moral truths

If you could give American Savage a new subtitle, what would it be?

A moral path to understanding life

Any additional comments?

This book is a must-read. It should be a high school textbook and read by all adults. It would relieve so much grief in our moral dilemmas and lead to happier relationships.

Straight Talk (get it?) on Hot Button Topics

Unabashed and scathing at times, Dan shares his nearly-unadulterated opinion on topics ranging from gun violence to marriage equality. He does so while giving you a glimpse into his life as a father and "huhsband" which seems rather normal and not so "gay."

A good listen as Dan is a skilled orator and delivers the text with nuance and a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Great addition to the fight for a more liberal Us

Love the book and it was great to have Dan himself as the read for all the little inflections and reminiscences that make the book come to life as though it were a live reading. For anyone who is of a liberal mind this book will resonate deeply with you and the injustices that are a part of the current struggle for a better society.

Didn't expect it to be THAT good!

Informative, touching and witty.
I loved this book and even thinking now about subscribing to his podcast.
Dan's story and reasoning are exceptional and simple.