Train Tracks: Family Stories for the Holidays

by Michael Savage

A #1 New York Times bestselling author and superstar radio personality, Michael Savage is admired by millions for his tough talk and no-punches-pulled common sense about the state of our union and its leaders. In Train Tracks, a more personal side of Savage shines through in this marvelous collection of American Stories for the Holidays. Like Glen Beck’s blockbuster, The Christmas Sweater, Michael Savage’s poignant, personal stories of home, family, and the holidays will resonate with readers everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Christmas

258 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2012

About the author

Dr. Michael Savage is a multimedia icon in the conservative movement. The Telegraph in the U.K. ranked him as one of the most influential conservatives in the United States, and with 10 million weekly listeners, the Berkeley Ph.D. is the third most listened to conservative talk show host. Recently featured in The New Yorker and Playboy, Dr. Savage is the author of many books, including the political thriller Abuse of Power and four New York Times bestsellers. His media presence and profile earned him the coveted Freedom of Speech Award from Talkers magazine in 2007.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Dr. Savage holds a master's degree in medical botany and a second in medical anthropology. Additionally, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in epidemiology and nutrition sciences. He is an ardent conservationist, is dedicated to his family, and is a proud patriot of his country.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/michae...

Reviews

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy of Train Tracks by Michael Savage, the wildly popular host of a radio show, The Michael Savage Show which claims it is family stories for the holidays. I was hoping for a book geared along those lines but this one is merely a sampling of Michael's personal memoirs from his life and those people who he believed has a great impact on the person he became and how he arrived at his current lot in life. With that said, I believe the title is a bit misleading. While reading through his collection of stories from his harsh and cold upbringing in the 1950's, these would NOT be stories I would share with my family members. There is a story from the chapter, Boy in the Basement that tells of remembering a man named Charlie who used women in exchange for providing them with rag dresses, a different form of prostitution in my opinion and one that does not make for a story to tell family members or even appropriate for the holiday season.

If you are looking for a personal memoir of the life of radio personality and storyteller, Michael Savage than perhaps this is the book for you. It is not in my personal opinion a story suitable for family's or for the holidays. I received this book compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and have to say based on the misleading information not only on the cover but inside the book jacket as well, the reader will be confused when they pick this one up. There are some forms of profanity as Michael shares certain stories and others offer questionable content. In this case, my review rating of this book is 1 out of 5 stars. The story collection starts in his childhood and then move back and forth without a rhyme or reason. It's kinda of confusing.

[Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although, for the most part, I really enjoyed this collection of stories, I missed Dr. Savage’s deep radio voice and genuine laugh. I’m spoiled to it I suppose. Still, I really enjoyed the majority of his tales in the book. Die-hard fans will recognize many characters; especially his mother and I especially appreciated the story of his younger brother, Jerome.

Unfortunately this book is a not put together well. A few stories told in the first half of the book are repeated with more detail in the second half. Those include his start in radio and the story of Louie, his monkey and the bending nail trick. Most of the stories are 1 – 4 pages long. Only two stories are more than 10. Dr. Savage manages to throw in some politics in a few, but not much.

The big problem with the book is not with the content, but the subtitle “Family Stories for the Holidays”. That is so wrong and terribly misleading. The stories of his family, yes – stories for the holidays, no. There are no heartwarming tales about Thanksgiving or Christmas – NONE. This is not similar telling of the classic film A Christmas Story. I think Thanksgiving is mentioned twice and Christmas is mention once. (Mentioned not discussed)

I wish Dr. Savage had written a straight out autobiography and found a superb editor that could pull it together. I suppose you could share some stories with children to show them how different life was for an immigrant family and a kid growing up in New York City during the 40’s and 50’s. Not recommended if you are looking for a holiday story.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I'd give 1.5 stars. It didn't completely suck, but it wasn't just OK either. I've listened to Michael Savage's show on the radio a few times. He is an interesting guy. And I'll admit, I do like to the sound of his voice. It's like he's talking directly to you & telling you stories. Which is great live. However, Dr. Savage writes the way he talks. My husband hit the nail on the head simply with this description; "He wanders". And it is 100% accurate. Michael starts with one subject & then goes in a completely different direction. It works on the radio, but it's hard to read that way. Most of his life stories in the book are interesting, but this is not the holiday book the cover markets it to be. So that was disappointing.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of mostly very short biographical anecdotes; interesting. Not at all "holiday" themed.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savage is one of my favorite people, any fan of his show will enjoy his personal stories

[Tibbara's Den · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know I didn't read all of this (made it to page 49 and DNFd), but what part of this is "family stories for the holidays"? Past that everything about this book isn't for me. The political aspect, the fact that it is written by an older man who thinks that in 2012 (when this was published, clearly not when I am reading it), it is still okay to use the derogatory term for gay men and speak in a derogatory way about women, and seems to reflect in a way that gives the impression he doesn't see violence as a problem. Then you have just the random rambling nature of this book. I mean the chapter on food, what even was the point of that one? I can understand the references to trains and the tracks given the title of the book, but he also is very into and references ships and cars as well. Keep in mind I only made it to page 49, and I am sure there is more throughout the rest of the book. At that point, I was over the disgusting commentary and ready to no longer spend my time reading something so horrible.

[Michele Pfrogner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even for Savage fans, this book is mainly a regurgitation (Chapters 17- 45) of his 2008 Psychological Nudity. Although this reprinting is acknowledged in the "Credits and Notes" at the end of the book, this story collection is still somewhat deceiving. Chapter 16, which was actually "new" material, was so tedious to read through--Savage writes about himself in 3rd person, and the specifics of commodity exchanges. What was the point? I forgot. And, as another review pointed out, several of these chapters are NOT "family" stories. I was extremely disappointed in this collection ... not "Savage" quality.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this around the holidays because I thought they were "family stories for the holidays," but I think the only story that took place around the holidays was the first one. Otherwise, the book has nothing at all to do with the holidays so I'm really confused as to why it was billed as such.

Other than that, I enjoyed the book well enough. I wouldn't call it a keeper. Savage writes as if he was talking to you... I like that part, but I don't really like the way he talked about everyone and some of the stories he told were a bit uncomfortable. I got a few laughs and smiles out of it. It wasn't boring, but not a must read, and definitely not a holiday book lol

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've recently become interested in reading memoirs, and picked up this book expecting an entertaining read for the holidays. Well, it wasn't that. I did find some of the chapters entertaining, interesting, or eye-opening, but some others were just disturbing or difficult to get through. And I don't understand the sub-title "family stories for the holidays" at all. I have never listened to the author on the radio, so his fans may feel differently about the book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories of family and growing up. The things that shape and make us are brought out in these stories. And yes...the holidays are often a time to reflect more on family as we sometimes only see certain people around holidays. Yet it is the everyday things that we do and see that really make us who we are. A reflectful book that could be read quickly but I chose to savor the pages and let the stories soak in and stay awhile.

[Robert Harrold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read but really good.

[Joanne Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book with great insights. A breath of fresh air.

[Jam_ggx7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the family stories. Kinda like having a grandpa tell you stories about his childhood

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband is a huge fan of Savage, so he bought me this for my birthday since it says "Family stories for the Holidays," and I really liked a holiday type book that Glenn Beck wrote. But this book... what made it stories for the Holidays? I don't even know. I didn't like Savage's writing in this book. Everything was short, vague, somewhat repeated, the writing seemed almost illiterate in many places. So I'm confused... my husband likes this guys's writing? My husband will be reading this next to compare it to the writing in his books so that I know if I'm crazy or not. Either way, meh... not worth reading.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories from Michael Savage’s past. Stories of his childhood and the people who influenced him and what made him who he is. What it is not, is a holiday book. Although, some of the stories of growing up in the 50s and 60s were interesting, I was hoping more in the holiday theme as the cover suggested.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have a clue who this guy is so his anecdotes about his family held zero interest for me. That, and the stories made no sense in any context of the book. There was no linear or circular narrative. Just a bunch of unrelated stories about people the author knows or knew in his life.

[TW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting and entertaining stories if you are familiar with Dr. Savage, but this is NOT a book for the holiday season.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

puts forth good thoughts - do the best you can and the train you are on will take you where you belong.

[Wisty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book. Sad about his brother, though.

[Harout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may not agree with him on many of his political views but I think he is a very gifted story teller.

[Sharon]

he may be brilliant, but he can't write for squat.. done. enough said.

[Steven Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.