Preview
  • 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
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,194 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

American Savage

By: Dan Savage
Narrated by: Dan Savage
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.75

Buy for $15.75

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

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)

What listeners say about American Savage

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    850
  • 4 Stars
    281
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    858
  • 4 Stars
    174
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    738
  • 4 Stars
    252
  • 3 Stars
    62
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Personally meaningful

What did you love best about American Savage?

The author is quite accomplished in stating an argument, voicing his opinion and defending his stand. Very well done and totally convincing. He brings much of his personal experiences into the discussions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of American Savage?

The chapter on the right to assisted death. His depiction of his mother's death had many parallels to my own mother's death and it further affirmed my conviction that assisted death should be a choice. He makes the argument for it in a very eloquent way.

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

Not necessarily. Each chapter stands on its own and can be listened to separately.

Any additional comments?

This was the first book I have read by this author and I am looking forward to his other books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must read for all Americans!

Even if your already a loyal acolyte of Dan Savage you need to check this book out. Such an informative read on American politics!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining and thought provoking book...

Would you listen to American Savage again? Why?

Yes, it was such a good book. I found the delivery very good and the arguments and points that Dan was making very easy to agree with. There was humor throughout the serious and Dan's voice was very easy to listen to and understand. I would recommend this book to anyone. Even those opposing LGBT's, you may learn something.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I just came away from this book feeling like we are all human, no matter who we are attracted to. We should treat each other with respect and dignity along with the fact that everyone should have the same opportunities in life.

Have you listened to any of Dan Savage’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to Dan Savage before, but after listening to this book, I believe I will look for more of his work.

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

The story of his mother's death and the epilogue were both very moving. I really felt for him as he explained his mother's death. I had a tear in my eye listening, so I'm not sure how he was able to tell it with such a clear voice. It was obviously an emotional time. I really like the epilogue. It is great to see our country finally starting to realize that love is love and marriage should be allowed by all. I do hope the men from the park were also able to celebrate that day.

Any additional comments?

I really got a kick out of the introduction. Really, why do you need to introduce a book that someone already purchased with the intent to read? Great way to start a very enjoyable book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Refreshing

I live in Alabama. Well, not really…..but they say that my geography (PA) is Phila. & PGH with Alabama in between. And there's really no debating (if one wants to maintain one's sanity) on so many of these issues in my locale. My heart felt vindicated by the sound articulation on topics such as the Affordable Care Act and LGBT rights concerning gay marriage. And being a 50-something catholic heterosexual woman, I learned a few things about a demographic I don't have much contact with. I'm going to read chapters 16 & 17 over many times so I don't get tongue tied in my next debate on these issues. Overall the book was personal, funny, moving (your Mother's death), smart (agains chapts. 16 & 17). Thank you for this. Am now going to tune into your podcast.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

Dan has been a name around town ever since I moved to Seattle. I've never met him, and I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read a lot of his work before picking up this book. I find myself laughing from the opening words of the forward and got pretty emotional by the end. This book touches on something deep which makes it very moving. I've lived through many of the events he talks about and grown in my understanding in a similar way, but had not distilled it into words myself. If I ever do run into him on the hill, coffee's on me....because this is a great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dan Savage is always brilliant!

I love reading his books, columns & listen to his podcast, religiously. I look forward to the next one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Real Men write books.

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

Strong, honest, and illuminating. Because this book is all three.

What did you like best about this story?

This book makes me a fan of Dan Savage, who I've read in passing. This man is honest and has a wonderful view of the BIG picture.

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

Author brings himself to the offering.

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

I portioned this out.

Any additional comments?

This book is a snapshot of humanity.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!