(Re)Born in the USA

(Re)Born in the USA is a memoir written by ½ of the duo from the soccer podcast and TV show Men in Blazers. In it, Roger Bennett chronicles his love of America growing up in Liverpool in the 1980s. “Rog” portrays an indelible contrast between the darkness of Thacher-era north-England and the optimism and idealism of 80s American pop-culture The Breakfast Club, John Mellencamp, Miami Vice and the Beastie Boys. As an American soccer fan, I’ve listened to the Men in Blazers podcast for years. The podcast and related shows, events and books have emerged as a culture in-and-of itself. Roger’s waxing lyrical about his love of America, Tracy Chapman and Budweiser has always been an ongoing schtick of sorts. I see now how genuine it always was, even if the America he found when he eventually emigrated was more complicated and imperfect.