pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
Growing up in Liverpool, the future star of Men in Blazers (TV soccer commentary) dreamed of being an American. This book is his story of growing up, how that dream emerged and manifested itself, and how he achieved it. Entertaining, with his dry and self-deprecating humor, and strong Liverpudlian accent.
zackgraff's review against another edition
4.0
Part memoir, part “coming of age story”, and mostly a love letter to Americana pop culture.
This was such a fun read from someone who I’ve been watching for a long time on the Men in Blazers show.
Rog has worked hard on articulating, and identifying with, his emotions and he does an incredible job conveying all of that into this book. Somewhere between The Breakfast Club and Neil Diamond he’ll have you wrapped up in whatever excitement, despair, hopefulness, or dread he’s feeling as he grows up admiring America for what it could, and should, be rather than only being damned by what it is.
If you want to reignite a passion for pop culture, fall ironically (and hopelessly) in love with Liverpool, or even just see yourself through someone else’s eyes for a little while then this book is certainly for you.
(Side note: While Rog is clearly in love with an American dream that likely doesn’t exist the way we were all sold he doesn’t spend any time propagandizing. His post scripts show a clear understanding of the lens his experience has been lived through, but he does a wonderful - and fun - job of enjoying the facets of American life that are certainly worth enjoying)
This was such a fun read from someone who I’ve been watching for a long time on the Men in Blazers show.
Rog has worked hard on articulating, and identifying with, his emotions and he does an incredible job conveying all of that into this book. Somewhere between The Breakfast Club and Neil Diamond he’ll have you wrapped up in whatever excitement, despair, hopefulness, or dread he’s feeling as he grows up admiring America for what it could, and should, be rather than only being damned by what it is.
If you want to reignite a passion for pop culture, fall ironically (and hopelessly) in love with Liverpool, or even just see yourself through someone else’s eyes for a little while then this book is certainly for you.
(Side note: While Rog is clearly in love with an American dream that likely doesn’t exist the way we were all sold he doesn’t spend any time propagandizing. His post scripts show a clear understanding of the lens his experience has been lived through, but he does a wonderful - and fun - job of enjoying the facets of American life that are certainly worth enjoying)
doublearon4321's review
2.0
Took a bit to get through. Parts were slow reading then fast and bits seemed confusing.But overall I believed I loved it. Give it time Roger brings the whole thing in to land at the end. New Zealand is between both cultures and I remember a member of my theatre company who was totally besotted with the USA.
jpbooks13's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
Slow at times, but overall fun and redeeming. I’m not a soccer fan, but still really enjoyed it. Make sure you read the acknowledgments at the end
pdkauffmann's review
2.0
I hadn’t much looked into what this book was about and it’s mostly a memoir of his time growing up in Liverpool, with occasional anecdotes about his yearning for America. The parts about being bullied or cutting class (much of the book) weren’t what I was hoping for. Beautiful descriptions as you’d expect from Rog but I found it hard to stay interested in parts.
meredithw20's review
5.0
absolutely loved this book, and holy shit you won't believe what happens to mike nagel