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American Savage: Insights, Slights, and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love, and Politics by Dan Savage
kristinisreading's review against another edition
4.0
I loved The Kid, and while this isn't as strong a personal narrative, it provides a nice topical overview of some contemporary issues. Plus, I kind of like the "attitude", it is a nice vicarious thrill.
heykstan's review against another edition
3.0
I would have given this more stars, but as someone who reads most of his columns and has listened to way too many of his podcasts, I felt like most of this book was Dan Savage 101. I know what GGG means already, I didn't need a whole chapter on it. But there was some new stuff in here too, so overall the book was enjoyable. I really liked the last chapter about the debate. If you're a Dan Savage beginner, I'd totally recommend it.
eososray's review against another edition
2.0
Not to say that I don't like the author, I think his advice column is great and his views often admirable. But this book was just a series of rants, not bad rants per say, just not interesting rants to me. And to some extend, very American rants and at this moment in time, I'm a little tired of US politics.
niniane's review against another edition
4.0
Dan Savage wrote this book to express his strong political beliefs, unlike previous books which were more humorous. It is interesting to hear his take on various political issues. He outlines his position in an articulate and interesting way.
antidietleah's review against another edition
4.0
I had a difficult time getting into this book at the start. I picked it up because it was a local journalist that founded It Gets Better which I have a lot of respect for. He started the book with what his main career is - sex advice, and advice that pertains to gay, straight, and everything in between. While I agreed with his insights, it wasn't really the draw for me so I was a bit ho-hum on it.
Gradually, the book gets more and more politically (and religiously) focused. This is what hooked me which I find strange when I think about it because I'm not really a very political person. I'm not well read, I don't really pay attention to the news, I'm not politically savvy. But I know what I believe in my heart. I believe that women should have the right to decide to have an abortion, or use contraceptives. I believe that any adult should have the right to marry who they want, regardless of sex, and have access to all the benefits and responsibilities that come with that. I believe that the church and state should be separate but that isn't the case. Lucky for me, all my beliefs and feelings line up nicely with Savage's. He did a great job at stating the oppositions case than neatly tearing it apart. He is funny, charming, smart, a bit raunchy, and highly (and rightly so) opinionated.
My only critique was that I found a few thing to be a bit of a stretch... namely the chapter on Halloween as "The Straight Pride Parade". And on occasion, he ran the risk of appearing one sided though he typically did a good job of engaging the debate but I think that with this subject matter and his position, it would be hard not to.
I think that my favorite part of the book is debunking the idea that if you are Christian, you are anti-gay. It doesn't have to be that way.
I'd recommend this to any of my marriage equality, tree hugging, Democratic friends and any open minded Republicans, and all Washingtonians. :) And yes, the book is a lot about gay rights but it also touches on subjects such as gun control, adoption, and Obamacare.
Gradually, the book gets more and more politically (and religiously) focused. This is what hooked me which I find strange when I think about it because I'm not really a very political person. I'm not well read, I don't really pay attention to the news, I'm not politically savvy. But I know what I believe in my heart. I believe that women should have the right to decide to have an abortion, or use contraceptives. I believe that any adult should have the right to marry who they want, regardless of sex, and have access to all the benefits and responsibilities that come with that. I believe that the church and state should be separate but that isn't the case. Lucky for me, all my beliefs and feelings line up nicely with Savage's. He did a great job at stating the oppositions case than neatly tearing it apart. He is funny, charming, smart, a bit raunchy, and highly (and rightly so) opinionated.
My only critique was that I found a few thing to be a bit of a stretch... namely the chapter on Halloween as "The Straight Pride Parade". And on occasion, he ran the risk of appearing one sided though he typically did a good job of engaging the debate but I think that with this subject matter and his position, it would be hard not to.
I think that my favorite part of the book is debunking the idea that if you are Christian, you are anti-gay. It doesn't have to be that way.
I'd recommend this to any of my marriage equality, tree hugging, Democratic friends and any open minded Republicans, and all Washingtonians. :) And yes, the book is a lot about gay rights but it also touches on subjects such as gun control, adoption, and Obamacare.
leahtee's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. Then again, I'm a Dan Savage fan and a reader of his column. I agreed with mostly everything in the book, which made it a belief-affirming read, more than an interesting read. I was lost a little with some of the names of some of the American pundits, since I'm Canadian, but overall, I quite enjoyed the book.
dja777's review against another edition
5.0
One could say I enjoyed this so much because it's "preaching to the choir," but I liked his humor and his passion.
lisaeirene's review
1.0
I'm a big fan of Dan Savage but if you listen to his podcast, this book is stuff you've already heard a million times.