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)

Some great essays, but a bit repetitive

Any additional comments?

Damn, I had no idea Dan Savage was such a good writer. I'm a weekly listener to his Savage Love podcast and reader of his column, but this was the first time I've read/heard one of his personal essays, and they were very powerful. I sobbed my way through his essay about his mother's death, for example.

Other chapters, however, were rote and predictable to those familiar with his work. Some of the lines he uses I could recite word for word. You should roll your kinks out like they're a fun thing you get to do, not like they're *what*, kids? Let's say it all together now. Leukemia! His thoughts on cheating, open relationships, why women shouldn't be offended that he refers to pussy as "canned ham dropped from a great height" (still offensive no matter how much you like canned ham) are nothing new for regular readers or listeners.

Yet the new chapters were strong enough that I still think this book deserves four stars. In addition to the essay about his mom's death, the essay about going back to the Catholic church — at least physically — is poignant and insightful. The chapter about the It Gets Better project is interesting as well as brutally sad. I learned some new stuff in the health care chapter (for instance, I will never eat at Jimmy John's again). And last but certainly not least, Bigot Christmas is almost worth the price of the book alone.

Like a chat with friends over dinner

I have been reading for listening to Dan Savage for a number of years. I picked up this book because he mentioned it on one of his podcast, and it did not disappoint. the book was delivered in a very conversational style that has plenty of humor to balance out some very serious discussions, in a way that I've come to really appreciate about Dan Savage. It was honest, it was serious, and it was funny. I didn't learn many things that I hadn't heard him say in bots and pieces before, but the way he said it in this book was cleaner, with and with additional depth. I really enjoyed it. and did I mention already that I love the fact that Dan Savage was narrating his own work? Because that was, for me, what really made it.

Yes, yes, yes!

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

I laughed, wept and shouted YES more times than I can count while listening to American Savage. Dan Savage has an honest and eloquent way of explaining common sense to the masses. He is extremely likable and I could listen to him day and night. I'm ashamed to say (especially being somone from the Seattle area going on nearly 50 years) I didnt know much about Dan other than seeing him on a few of my favorite late night shows recently. I'd like to thank him for this wonderful eye opening book. I learned so much and am even more open minded now than I thought possible. American Savage helped me clarify many areas I wasn't fully knowledgable about and gave me a new perspective on my own incredibly satisfying heterosexual monogamous marriage of 20+ years. It makes me proud to live in this time when the gay community has such a smart witty beautiful voice to advocate for them. A great read for teens on up. I will definitely be sharing this with my teenage kids and husband.

I am glad I stuck it out.

Would you listen to American Savage again? Why?

No, but it was good the first time.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved when he moved on from his usual topic, to things of more substance.
He is so good at crafting a compelling argument! I loved the part of him having over for dinner, a person who so adamantly apposed his views to have the freedom to marry. I think it is so important to have dialogue! instead of being angry or mean to each other.

What about Dan Savage’s performance did you like?

I love when Authors read their books, it is so impactful to the story. Hearing the pauses and inflection at just the moment it is intended is so wonderful!

Dan Savage does it again

If you're a fan of Savage Love, equal rights or the Daily Show/Colbert Report you'll enjoy listening to AMERICAN SAVAGE.

Dan does a great job of educating us all on the injustices that the LGBT community has faced and continues to battle all while making us laugh and cry.

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.

If you love Dan Savage, you will love this book.

If you love Dan Savage, you will love this book, if you don't, then use your money for something else. This book won't change your mind. This is Dan at his purest. This is a book of random topics and for followers of Dan, we all knew what would be in this book but it was a good read to hear it pulled together. My favorite parts were his memories of his mother and the chapter on the church. Each listener will make their own conclusion as to where they stand with faith. There were parts of this book that caused me to laugh out loud. Other parts made me smile to myself. If you read, you should take time to watch the YouTube video he references in the book. In the end, it was a good laugh and reminder that I can like people I don't agree 100% with.

“Surprisingly delightful!”

Would you listen to American Savage again? Why?

No, once was enough. It was a great read and I definitely recommend it.

What did you like best about this story?

The story itself, I had to put it down at times because I was furious.I felt inspired at times. I am one who can listen to others and consider their opinions with an open mind. I cried listening about his Mother. I laughed when he was describing the dinner with Brian Brown. Do I agree with all of Dan's beliefs? NOPE! Nor Mr. Brown's but overall it was a good read

What about Dan Savage’s performance did you like?

I enjoy when authors narrate their own work! This is huge for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Nah...

Liked Dan before ... LOVE him now

I was a fan of his podcast and always enjoyed listening to him help/challenge people to reconsider traditional notions of love, relationships and sex. This book turned me into an even bigger fan of Dan Savage. His intelligence, wit, humor, sincerity, in-your-face advocacy, and even warmth (yes, warmth) all work together to teach, inspire, provoke and feel. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended. Thanks Dan ... keep on keepin on!