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)

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.

Engaging

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

A regular person.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dan's story of his mother.

What about Dan Savage’s performance did you like?

Usually authors are not the best person to read their books but Dan hits it out of the ballpark.

Any additional comments?

A book that makes you really try to treat each person with more humanity.

a great summary of Savage's recent work

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

I'd push this book on anyone who is not familiar with Dan Savage's writing-- but who should be! If you're a regular reader/ listener of his column/ podcast, well, it's a fine summary of his writings/ rantings over the past 5-10 years, and totally worth a listen for a (relatively) concise summary of his more poignant points, and astute perspectives.

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.

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.