Reborn in the USA

An Englishman’s Love Letter to His Chosen Home

By: Roger Bennett

Narrated by: Roger Bennett

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

One-half of the celebrated Men in Blazers duo, longtime culture and soccer commentator Roger Bennett traces the origins of his love affair with America, and how he went from a depraved, pimply faced Jewish boy in 1980’s Liverpool to become the quintessential Englishman in New York. A memoir for fans of Jon Ronson and Chuck Klosterman, but with Roger Bennett’s signature pop culture flair and humor.

Being a teenager isn’t easy, no matter where in the world you live or how much it does or doesn’t rain in your hometown. As an outsider - a private-schooled Jewish kid in working-class, heavily Catholic Liverpool - Roger Bennett wasn’t winning any popu­larity contests. But there was one idea, or ideal, that burned bright in Roger’s heart. That was America - with its sunny skies, beautiful women, and cool kids with flipped collars who ate at McDonald’s. When he embraced American popular culture, the dull gray world he lived in turned to neon teal - a color which had not even been invented in England yet. Intro­duced first through the gateway drug of The Love Boat, then to Rolling Stone, the NFL, John Hughes movies, Run-DMC, and Tracy Chapman, Roger embraced everything that would capture the imagination of a teenager growing up Stateside. When he made a real, in-the-flesh American friend who invited him over for the summer, he got to visit the promised land. A month in Chicago, and a life-changing night spent in the company of the Chicago Bears, was the first hit of freedom, of independence, of the Roger Bennett he knew he could be.

(Re)Born in the USA captures the universality of growing pains, growing up, and growing out of where you come from. Drenched in the culture of the late ’80s and ’90s from the UK and the USA, and the heartfelt, hilarious sense of humor that has made Roger Bennett so beloved by his listeners, here is both a truly unique coming-of-age story and the love letter to America that the country needs right now.

©2021 Roger Bennett (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Wonderful

Wonderful read. Much of Rogers life mirrors mine. School life in the UK. Finding your place in place. Love of American football. Moving to the USA. Brought back many happy memories.

Hilarious and heartfelt

A joyous romp through 80s Liverpool but also 80s American pop culture - told with a vision of hope and wanton to be who and where you went to be.

Roger Bennett consummate wordsmith.

Roger is a voice that inhabits my world. Twice weekly he and Davo fill my brain with all the wonderful an and not so wonderful news from the greater world of soccer. It was fabulous to take in his origin story, warts and all. Never a dull moment. I’ll raise a first third Bud to you Rog, Courage!

Laugh out loud funny, a must read for Americans!

I binged this audiobook in 2 days, couldn't get enough of it. Not only was it laugh out loud funny but it also gave me an immense pride to be an American. This is one of those books that is likely better listened to than read because Bennett's narration added incredible depth to the storytelling. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be inspired, a little embarrassed at times, soaked in sensational metaphors and occasionally roll on the floor laughing.

Very enjoyable and engagimg

I was thoroughky entertained by the narration and story. There are many laugh out loud moments. I highly recommend it.

Amazing!!

Just finished the audiobook after reading the hardcopy last week. It’s an amazing tale and a story of a great human that fulfills his dream of becoming an American. The audible book is even better to hear it in his own words as he shares the tales and stories of his great adventure and his quest for the American dream. Courage

Hilarious Angst Overload!

He loves America in spite of the way we've been behaving! Might not be the place we dreamt, but you keep dreaming to make it possible.

The American Ideal is Work

His life story is interesting. Liverpool was good to learn about. Thank you very much.

Rog is amazing

I loved this book and I loved it from his point of view. I grew up in America but was born in the 80's and I truly yearn for the decades I couldn't relish in. I'm so happy he shared his story.

Absolute unit

Rog’s life story is so unique, and he’s such a good story teller. This book made me want to be more American than I already am, and buy a Walter Payton jersey while I’m at it. Cannot recommend it enough, especially if you’re a Men in Blazers fan. 10/10, courage!