You can save the world in sweatpants

You Can Save the World in Sweatpants is a novel written between 2006 and 2009 that covers a road trip between New Jersey and California written by Scott Laudati and illustrated by Drew Alexander Ennis. Selected chapters were first xeroxed and distributed throughout independent bookstores and punk rock shows around 2009 before being released as a book in mid 2010.
The initial chapters focus on the positive aspects of the American ideals which the two main characters, Ernest and an unnamed narrator, feel need to be restored in order to achieve the American Dream. The central story regards a movie script the narrator has written which Ernest and he decide can save the world. A script reading is organized in Los Angeles and the two must battle through a series of mishaps to arrive on time.
Plot summary
The novel opens with a seemingly juvenile scene at a hometown going away party. The two main characters are inebriated attempting to map out a game plan for their trip. Initially they each think romancing woman and taking drugs will be the highlights of their trip. However, once they get on the road Ernest and narrator quickly realize girls and drugs are the opiates of the masses, and the book takes a more mature turn into radical politics. Racial tensions, government regulated drug addiction, love, the loss of innocence after 9/11, Bohemian Grove, the Bilderbergs, globalization, poverty, the New Jersey punk scene of the early 2000's, pop culture, the New World Order, and the war crimes of the Bush Administration are all reoccurring issues.
Upon their arrival to the west coast their outlook on America is bleak. They have not only accepted the death of the American Dream, but realize it has become a corporate commodity, and has been hijacked and sold to an entire nation of citizens. While the book takes a nihilistic turn the ending message is positive, that Americans can demand their freedom anytime they want to.
===The "9/11 Passage"===
9/11 is a reoccurring theme throughout You Can Save the World in Sweatpants. Laudati's proximity to New York City and his fathers near death on the day due to his profession as a firefighter all heavily shape the tone of the novel.
Title
Several working titles were initially scrapped. You Can Save the World in Sweatpants is a satirical/sarcastic quip at the lazy, consumer driven culture of the early 20-somethings throughout the reign of the Bush Administration. Basically meaning that while sitting on your couch watching TV you can still say "NO".
Reactions
While the novel has been rejected by mainstream publication it has gained a significant online following. You Can Save the World in Sweatpants was first readable for free on Google Books starting in late summer of 2010. Since November of 2010 it has also been available on the website SlaughterHaus.com where it has received 5,648 hits to date.
Musician Cisco Adler posted on his twitter in the summer of 2010 that he was reading the book.
Scott Laudati has a blog where he discusses the publication industry and frequently posts his rejection letters.
Influences
The book is highly reminiscent of past American novelists. Primarily Upton Sinclair for the insight into politics and descriptive language. The novel, at least initially, moves at an incredibly fast pace sytlistically like Hunter S. Thompson. Also, a loss of innocence is obvious in vein of J.D. Salinger.
Audiobook
Laudati has recorded an audio version of You Can Save the World in Sweatpants which is usually available on bittorrent websites or upon request.

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