American Savage audiobook cover - Insights, Slights and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love and Politics

American Savage

Insights, Slights and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love and Politics

Dan Savage

★ 4.1 / 5(37 ratings)
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Society & CultureSex & Relationships

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American Savage
Religion & Hypocrisy+
Sex & Relationships+
Sex Education+
LGBT Rights & Equality+
Activism & Liberation+
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Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
Why does Dan Savage argue that using the Old Testament to condemn homosexuality is hypocritical?
  • A. Because the Old Testament was originally written in a different language and mistranslated.
  • B. Because modern Christians often ignore other Old Testament rules, such as those advocating slavery and stoning.
  • C. Because the New Testament explicitly overrides the Old Testament's views on marriage.
  • D. Because the Catholic Church has officially renounced the Old Testament entirely.
Question 2 of 10
What does the acronym 'GGG' stand for in Dan Savage's relationship advice?
  • A. Genuine, Gentle, and Generous
  • B. Grateful, Grounded, and Growing
  • C. Good in bed, Giving pleasure, and Game for anything
  • D. Gay, Gender-fluid, and Gregarious
Question 3 of 10
Under what specific circumstance does Dan Savage sometimes recommend extramarital sex (cheating)?
  • A. When a couple has been married for more than ten years and wants to experiment.
  • B. When one partner's libido has completely died but they want to keep a loving family intact.
  • C. When a partner wants to punish their spouse for financial infidelity.
  • D. When a couple is preparing for an open divorce and needs a transition period.
Question 4 of 10
According to the text, what is the primary flaw of 'comprehensive sex ed' classes in American schools?
  • A. They focus too heavily on abstinence and ignore the use of contraceptives.
  • B. They encourage teens to become sexually active before they are emotionally ready.
  • C. They are only offered in private, religious institutions and not public schools.
  • D. They instill a fear of sex by focusing entirely on risks and STDs while ignoring sexual pleasure.
Question 5 of 10
How does Dan Savage counter the conservative 'natural law argument' that marriage exists solely for males and females to produce offspring?
  • A. By pointing out that many opposite-sex couples are infertile or choose not to have children, yet their marriages are still legal.
  • B. By arguing that overpopulation makes reproduction an outdated societal goal.
  • C. By citing historical texts where same-sex marriage was legally recognized.
  • D. By showing that same-sex couples can reproduce through surrogacy and IVF.
Question 6 of 10
What is one of the main benefits of public BDSM fairs and kinky street festivals, according to the author?
  • A. They provide a safe space for conservative politicians to secretly explore their desires.
  • B. They generate significant tax revenue to fund local LGBT charities.
  • C. They act as a political protest against the commercialization of holidays like Halloween.
  • D. They promote safety by allowing people to share skills rather than practicing dangerous kinks alone.
Question 7 of 10
According to Dan Savage, while being gay is not a choice, what is a choice?
  • A. Who a person is physically attracted to on a daily basis.
  • B. Deciding to remain a closeted adult and living a life of shame and hypocrisy.
  • C. Whether a person's children will also grow up to identify as LGBT.
  • D. The specific age at which a person's sexual orientation becomes permanent.
Question 8 of 10
What tragic event prompted Dan Savage and his husband to start the 'It Gets Better' project?
  • A. The assassination of a prominent gay rights political leader.
  • B. The passage of a bill banning same-sex adoption in their home state.
  • C. The suicide of a 15-year-old boy named Billy Lewis who endured relentless bullying.
  • D. A violent attack at a local Pride parade.
Question 9 of 10
What is a common misconception about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that the book highlights?
  • A. It was originally designed to completely eliminate private health insurance companies.
  • B. It is an act of socialism, despite actually originating as a conservative idea.
  • C. It guarantees free healthcare for every single American citizen regardless of income.
  • D. It was primarily authored by religious institutions to provide care for the sick.
Question 10 of 10
What is Dan Savage's 'actionable advice' regarding disclosing kinky sexual preferences to a new partner?
  • A. Wait until after marriage to ensure the partner is fully committed before revealing kinks.
  • B. Reveal them on the very first date to avoid wasting any time.
  • C. Keep them secret permanently unless the partner explicitly brings up the topic first.
  • D. Disclose them within the first three months, before making any major life commitments.

American Savage — Full Chapter Overview

American Savage Summary & Overview

American Savage (2014) explores some of the most contentious social and political issues in the US today, ranging from religion to gay rights, and from health care to education. It offers a fresh, humorous and unconventional perspective on today’s most divisive subjects, while also sounding a rallying cry to fight oppression and stand up for human rights.

This is a Blinkist staff pick

“Podcast fans will no doubt know Savage from shows like This American Life and his own wildly popular podcast, Savage Love. His unflinching, playful style provokes honest thought about gender, orientation, love, sex, and why we all have a blinkered view of what constitutes a healthy relationship. Read, think, enjoy — and never, ever Google “Santorum”. ”

– Carrie, Managing Editor of Blinkist Magazine

Who Should Listen to American Savage?

  • Advocates of LGBT issues
  • Partners looking for relationship and sex advice
  • Readers interested in health care, gun laws and gay rights

About the Author: Dan Savage

Dan Keenan Savage is the man and voice behind the nationally syndicated sex and relationship advice column “Savage Love” and its podcast version, the Savage Lovecast. A vocal gay rights activist, Savage is also the editorial director for the weekly Seattle newspaper, the Stranger, and the author of a number of books including The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family and The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant.

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