Men in Blazers Present Encyclopedia B..., Roger Bennett
Men in Blazers Present Encyclopedia B..., Roger Bennett
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Men in Blazers Present Encyclopedia Blazertannica
A Suboptimal Guide to Soccer, America's "Sport of the Future" Since 1972

Author: Roger Bennett, Michael Davies

Narrator: Roger Bennett, Michael Davies

Unabridged: 3 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/15/2018


Synopsis

Soccer has been America's Sport of the Future since 1972. Propelled by the rise of the World Cup, Premier League, the glory of the United States Women's National Team, Lionel Messi's DemiGod-esque talent and repeat exposure to Cristiano Ronaldo's preening abs, that Future has finally arrived.

The Men in Blazers are two English-born, soccer-obsessed broadcasters who have savored the dizzying growth of the game along with millions of Americans, as if it was a rollicking, sporting telenovela playing out in real life. Written in such a way that fully immerses Americans in the history and culture of the world's game, their Encyclopedia Blazertannica relives the careers of such greats such as George Best, Maradona, Beckham... and Alexi Lalas. It examines fan culture, from the tactical variations of scarf tying, to the pathos of England's classic, yet doomed, World Cup theme songs, and explores the complex physics and ethics of both celebratory knee slides and fights between players, along with such burning questions as how professional footballers deal with hair loss. Any listener will feel as if they've had a front-row seat for the classic matches--seeing every dive and missed penalty kick, and hearing every vulgar chant--and will emerge with a deeper appreciation for the dodgy haircuts and ill-judged neck tattoos that populate world football.

Includes bonus material exclusive to the audiobook: an extended clip from the Men in Blazers podcast

About The Author

ROGER BENNETT was born in Liverpool and moved to the United States after university, under the thrall of Ferris Bueller, Hart to Hart, and Diff'rent Strokes. A writer, broadcaster, and filmmaker, Bennett began at ESPN and moved with Men in Blazers to NBC Sports to become the go-to interviewer for the biggest names in soccer, making films with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. MICHAEL DAVIES was born in London and educated in Scotland and the United States. For twenty-eight years he has worked as a television executive and multiple Emmy Award winning producer of many shows, including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Davies started writing for ESPN.com in 2002 before partnering with Bennett on Men in Blazers in 2010. In addition to their podcast and television show on NBC Sports, the duo have a weekly show built into the phenomenally popular EA Sports FIFA game, and have developed a large live following.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Liz

Entirely sub-optimal. The final nail in the coffin of the publishing business as we know it. Courage to all readers who embark on this heartless work, devoid of all human emotion and clearly ghost-written by Zlatan.......more

Goodreads review by MH

So much more than a well-illustrated collection of jokes about pie and hair loss, the encyclopedia format serves as a backdoor biography for the two men, "an optimistic Londoner who believes everything is possible" and "a negative Liverpudlian who sees Cossacks lurking behind every door" (x), told t......more

Goodreads review by Joyce

While I can't say I'm a fan, I was familiar with Rog and Davo before I came across this delightful recording. Honestly, there's no point in bothering with the print version, unless you're a real soccer/football fan, because, as they meander through the alphabet in their encyclopedia, they offer a ta......more

Balds win! Balds win! BALDS WIN!......more

Goodreads review by Tim

From "Accents" and "Achilles Feet" to "Zaha" and "Zidane" this book is as lively and weird as its authors. If you've listened to the podcast or watched the show, a lot of this material will be familiar to you. Best suited for those who find themselves on the verge of soccer enthusiasm but in need of......more