4.76

5

May 16, 2018

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.

5

May 20, 2018

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 through entries on family, football collectibles, and especially childhoods in England spent dreaming about America. There are plenty of jokes for GFOPs and football fans, of course, but there's also a 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 through entries on family, football collectibles, and especially childhoods in England spent dreaming about America. There are plenty of jokes for GFOPs and football fans, of course, but there's also a lot more genuine emotion than I expected: Rog wearing his heart on his sleeve (his beautiful speech at his son's bar mitzvah, his deeply uncomfortable collection of teenage shames and heartaches); Davo remembering his complicated, very British father while dropping lessons learned in a frankly aspirational life; and the whole thing has more sincere World War I poetry than you'd expect from a book that also has a guide to tying ties like Kyle Martino. I expected it to be funny - I didn't expect it to also be so honest, moving, and memorable. What is this world twisted. ...more

0

May 15, 2018

I am barely able to properly convey how essiiiiiited I am to read this. I am barely able to properly convey how essiiiiiited I am to read this. ???????????????????? ...more

4

Jul 04, 2018

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 taste of their favorite sport--the athletes, the teams, the highs and lows--and personal recollections and witty byplay as they go. The encyclopedia--and their performance--is quirky, smart, and 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 taste of their favorite sport--the athletes, the teams, the highs and lows--and personal recollections and witty byplay as they go. The encyclopedia--and their performance--is quirky, smart, and insightful. Anyone interested, even vaguely, in the sport might enjoy this vastly entertaining performance (and book too, no doubt), especially if they also appreciate anecdotal story telling and good fun. ...more

4

Jul 01, 2018

This book is a delightful accompaniment to any English Premier League (EPL) or World Cup soccer viewing experience, as it provides a source of much needed entertainment during the 89.5 minutes of tedium generally on display during a typical 90+ minute “football” match. The short A-Z entries are mostly amusing and informative, but unfortunately (for the authors and their creditors) the book was published in the the US market at almost the exact moment when the American team failed to qualify for This book is a delightful accompaniment to any English Premier League (EPL) or World Cup soccer viewing experience, as it provides a source of much needed entertainment during the 89.5 minutes of tedium generally on display during a typical 90+ minute “football” match. The short A-Z entries are mostly amusing and informative, but unfortunately (for the authors and their creditors) the book was published in the the US market at almost the exact moment when the American team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Accordingly, and with US fan interest in this year’s Copa Mundal lagging, the good news for stateside consumers is that this book will soon fill the bargain bin at your local bookstore just in time for the holiday season when an inexpensive but meaningful gift is needed for your nephew/niece or millennial colleague who inexplicably loves Chelsea, Tottenham and/or Barcelona. Speaking of the holidays, I did notice the absence of an entry about Boxing Day EPL matches, my favorite soccer tradition, so does that suggest a suboptimal Volume II is in the works? This GFOP, for one, would buy it! ...more

5

May 23, 2018

Rog and Davo have outdone themselves here. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any more suboptimal than the podcast and the tv show, they release this book that is as crap as the rest. And I couldn’t have possibly enjoyed it more.

5

Sep 07, 2018

Listen to it on audio! While they don’t read every entry, I could listen to Rog and Davo talk soccer to me any day of the week.

2

Jun 08, 2018

Bennett and Davis' show and podcast are consistently entertaining, but unfortunately Blazertannica feels as though it was hastily thrown together to ride the wave of the duo's popularity. The jokes are inconsistent, and the "encyclopedia" is a smorgasbord of largely dull and superfluous entries. Much of what makes the comedic pair so strong is their delivery and ability to feed off one another on air; unfortunately this formula isn't replicated in this book.

4

Jun 20, 2018

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 a nerdy, humorous nudge.

5

May 11, 2019

'Encyclopedia Blazertannica' by Roger Bennett and Michael Davis, better known as the "Men in Blazers", have for more than a decade, stood at the center of Americas' growing national obsession with soccer or as an Englishman, I would say 'football. Hundreds of thousands of fans, including my self, tune in weekly to their podcast and television broadcast to get their analysis of the previous week's matches and soccer/football news. Rog and Davo fill in all the gaps with this hugely entertaining 'Encyclopedia Blazertannica' by Roger Bennett and Michael Davis, better known as the "Men in Blazers", have for more than a decade, stood at the center of Americas' growing national obsession with soccer or as an Englishman, I would say 'football. Hundreds of thousands of fans, including my self, tune in weekly to their podcast and television broadcast to get their analysis of the previous week's matches and soccer/football news. Rog and Davo fill in all the gaps with this hugely entertaining and idiosyncratic guide to the sport that America is beginning to love. Growing up in England, I have followed football and my team for almost 50 years. This humorous and informative book on the culture of English football will only serve to educate the American fan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! ...more

4

Oct 29, 2018

An absolute must if you are a GFOP or fan of them on TV. If you are not, some of it will be lost to you. Still, it has some heartfelt stories of growing up in the U.K. in the 70's and 80's with a yearning to come to America.

3

Jun 09, 2018

Fun build up to the World Cup.

It brings me more joy to have than it does to read, if that makes any sense. Consuming tons of the Men in Blazers podcasts and tv episodes creates value for this as a piece of merchandise. It’s like a really cool concert poster.

If you are a GFOP, it’s worth getting.

3

Jul 25, 2018

I am a fan on Men in Blazers even though I don't follow English football, they are knowledgeable and funny, just getting a chance to hang with them as they talk football is worth it. This book is a collection of all the inside jokes and repeat bits from the last 6 years of the show, along with a few new essays and stories. Whenever they get to jingoistic it really bogs down, and much of the book will not hold up as the years pass by but it was still fun and well designed to the point that my I am a fan on Men in Blazers even though I don't follow English football, they are knowledgeable and funny, just getting a chance to hang with them as they talk football is worth it. This book is a collection of all the inside jokes and repeat bits from the last 6 years of the show, along with a few new essays and stories. Whenever they get to jingoistic it really bogs down, and much of the book will not hold up as the years pass by but it was still fun and well designed to the point that my father-in-law who does not speak much english picked it up and read a good portion of it. My favorite section was on Alexi Lalas and specifically what happened when they ran a FIFA simulation where he was involved with other all-time greats. Beyond hilarious. ...more

2

Nov 28, 2018

A good companion book to GFOP. Encyclopedia Blazertannica is ideal for someone who can't get enough Men In Blazers. For a wider audiance, this books lacks enough substance or laugh-out-loud moments to be worth more than a casual glance at Barnes & Noble before moving elsewhere in the soccer section.

4

Sep 23, 2018

In the words of Davo, this is a brand extension. A hilarious and comedic one at that, explaining many of the tropes and quips of this soccer commentary duo. The only knock is that if you don't know the show, this won't make nearly as much sense as it does to a GFOP like myself who listens regularly. That's OK though. If you like soccer, particularly the English Premier League, these gents are top-notch crap (by their own admission and branding, of course).

5

Jul 06, 2018

Absolutely hilarious!! To be fair, I’m biased. I like their podcasts, their shows, their commentary, their humor, and I LOVE the sport of soccer. So, it’s easy for me to score this one highly, but they do such a great job of intertwining real history with their own differing opinions while still sharing detailed personal stories that endear the reader to the authors as well as to the sport. If you’re a soccer/football fan with a sense of humor, this is a must read.

5

Sep 21, 2018

To all who embark on reading this sub-optimal pile bald winning schlock, I say courage.

Is that your analysis?

Read this one when it came out in advance of the 2018 World Cup. Although I have heard a lot of these stories and thoughts as part of their podcast, the book was well worth the read. About fandom and what makes one a soccer fan (day drinking) and about life, love, and life lessons. And also redheads and sad naps and grief bacon. Could not ask for more.

5

Jun 10, 2018

This felt like part memoir, part love letter to GFOPs everywhere. Much of the content will be familiar to long time listeners, but there is lots of behind the scenes photos and stories that let you get even more inside the mind of Rog and Davo. I enjoyed learning more about 70s and 80s England football culture and fandom, like the part on Subbuteo and Bobby Moore. Best book for prepping for the 2018 World Cup out today.

4

Nov 16, 2018

This is the Men in Blazers at their finest. It's a coffee table book. If you're a diehard listener or viewer, you won't find much new here. There are a lot of jokes and references you've heard before, but that's ok -- that's why we come back every week. If you're newer, you'll enjoy getting the background on a lot of the usual sayings you've gotten used to. These guys are hilarious as always. You'll get sports and culture, history and present, fictional and real, and you'll laugh all the way This is the Men in Blazers at their finest. It's a coffee table book. If you're a diehard listener or viewer, you won't find much new here. There are a lot of jokes and references you've heard before, but that's ok -- that's why we come back every week. If you're newer, you'll enjoy getting the background on a lot of the usual sayings you've gotten used to. These guys are hilarious as always. You'll get sports and culture, history and present, fictional and real, and you'll laugh all the way through. A must have for any GFOP. War pig. Is that your analysis? WHO WANTS TO SEX MUTOMBO. Courage. ...more

5

Mar 20, 2019

I've been listening to the Men in Blazers podcast for years now so I was totally in the tank for this book even before it was written. But I have to admit that I'm surprised just how good their comedy encyclopedia on soccer turned out. There's some great stuff about the history of the game, some surprisingly inspirational life advice (Davo's work, no doubt), and of course, the same sense of humor that brings me back to their podcast every week. I don't know if I would be half the soccer fan I am I've been listening to the Men in Blazers podcast for years now so I was totally in the tank for this book even before it was written. But I have to admit that I'm surprised just how good their comedy encyclopedia on soccer turned out. There's some great stuff about the history of the game, some surprisingly inspirational life advice (Davo's work, no doubt), and of course, the same sense of humor that brings me back to their podcast every week. I don't know if I would be half the soccer fan I am if it weren't for these guys. ...more

4

Oct 16, 2018

I love the show Men in Blazers. If you do too, then you have to pick up this book. The humor is the same. The book is formatted like a real encyclopedia. It starts with A and ends with Z. There are tons of photos and drawings through out the book. You also get to learn more about Roger and Michael. You can read every entry in this book or just skip to the bits that you are interested it. You will enjoy this book either way. This book will make a great addition to any futbol or soccer fan's I love the show Men in Blazers. If you do too, then you have to pick up this book. The humor is the same. The book is formatted like a real encyclopedia. It starts with A and ends with Z. There are tons of photos and drawings through out the book. You also get to learn more about Roger and Michael. You can read every entry in this book or just skip to the bits that you are interested it. You will enjoy this book either way. This book will make a great addition to any futbol or soccer fan's bookshelf.

~April ...more

5

Jun 08, 2018

Nothing I say will persuade you to or dissuade you from buying this book. If you don’t know or like the Men in Blazers, you won’t get most of the jokes, and the humor will seem bizarre. If you are a Men in Blazers fan (as I am), you will relish the sub-optimality and understand that reference. I laughed out loud many times while reading this, and I smiled or chuckled countless others. Their ability to blend soccer, comedy and pop culture is an art, as are the accompanying illustrations. Size the Nothing I say will persuade you to or dissuade you from buying this book. If you don’t know or like the Men in Blazers, you won’t get most of the jokes, and the humor will seem bizarre. If you are a Men in Blazers fan (as I am), you will relish the sub-optimality and understand that reference. I laughed out loud many times while reading this, and I smiled or chuckled countless others. Their ability to blend soccer, comedy and pop culture is an art, as are the accompanying illustrations. Size the day, and this book. ...more

5

Aug 18, 2019

This a suboptimal book full of crap.

And if you are a fan of Men In Blazers, you will love it.

p. 28: The Game of Our Lives by George Turnbull
p. 32: Chelsea fans will respond by bellowing "Speak F--king English! Why don't you speak F---king English?"
p. 35: Chelsea: "There are also some less savory connections to do with anti-Catholicism, pro-Ulster unionism, loyalist tendencies, fascism, racism and gang-related violence."
p. 40: "You can change your husband or wife, you can change your underpants, This a suboptimal book full of crap.

And if you are a fan of Men In Blazers, you will love it.

p. 28: The Game of Our Lives by George Turnbull
p. 32: Chelsea fans will respond by bellowing "Speak F--king English! Why don't you speak F---king English?"
p. 35: Chelsea: "There are also some less savory connections to do with anti-Catholicism, pro-Ulster unionism, loyalist tendencies, fascism, racism and gang-related violence."
p. 40: "You can change your husband or wife, you can change your underpants, but you can never, ever change your team."
p. 40: April 9, Churchill Day
p. 71: The Ball Is Round, Soccer in Sun and Shadow, Among the Thugs
p. 77: Gary Lineker: "Football is a simple game in which 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end the Germans win."
p. 99: "Football is an Italian game that just happens to have been invented in England."
p. 179: "Tennis players"
p. 197: Great story about England vs. Argentina in 1986 World Cup ...more

5

May 28, 2018

I have loved soccer for a long time. In the buildup to the last World Cup in 2014, I discovered a podcast by two English gents call "Men in Blazers". I immediately fell in love with Rog and Davo, their football knowledge, their incredible sense of humor, and of course, their delightful accents. I haven't missed a Men in Blazers podcast in the past four years. Not only have they brought more enjoyment to the World Cup and subsequent international tournaments, but they have provided thorough I have loved soccer for a long time. In the buildup to the last World Cup in 2014, I discovered a podcast by two English gents call "Men in Blazers". I immediately fell in love with Rog and Davo, their football knowledge, their incredible sense of humor, and of course, their delightful accents. I haven't missed a Men in Blazers podcast in the past four years. Not only have they brought more enjoyment to the World Cup and subsequent international tournaments, but they have provided thorough education about the English Premier League, which has grown to become perhaps my favorite sports league. (My son Ben and I cheer for Tottenham). Anyway, I was excited to hear that Men in Blazers were publishing a book. Honestly, I didn't have high expectations, thinking it might be a short book that only rehashed a few things they have discussed on the pod. However, I greatly underestimated Rog and Davo. I absolutely loved this book. It was part serious soccer history, part biographies according to MiB, and part hilarious anecdotes and encyclopedia entries. I enjoyed every entry in this book and laughed out loud several times throughout. While it might not be as enjoyed or appreciated by readers not familiar with these gents, for anyone who is a fan of Men in Blazers, they are sure to love this book. ...more

4

Aug 13, 2018

This book was fun. It made me laugh a good number of times, and I shared many of the best stories with Nick. It's full of stories not just about soccer, but also about Rog and Davo's lives, where they come from, what makes them up as people. Highlights included a diagram of best penalty kicks that was all iconic missed penalties, a new soccer vocabulary, and new and better knowledge of world and English football. I can't blame it too much for its Western focus naturally, or its jokes at the This book was fun. It made me laugh a good number of times, and I shared many of the best stories with Nick. It's full of stories not just about soccer, but also about Rog and Davo's lives, where they come from, what makes them up as people. Highlights included a diagram of best penalty kicks that was all iconic missed penalties, a new soccer vocabulary, and new and better knowledge of world and English football. I can't blame it too much for its Western focus naturally, or its jokes at the expense of non-English-speaking nations, or its general bias towards ignoring colonialism and framing England as the great and only nation etc. It's a soccer book, and they're Premier league fans.

What really took a star off for me was lack of women's soccer. It almost hurt more that they so lightly and poorly engaged with women's soccer—I almost prefer they would have left it out all together. Not one mention of the NWSL. A light sprinkling of female soccer players, but very light: Megan Rapinoe got two fewer paragraphs than Molly Ringwald. And one of those very few mentions of women's soccer listed a World Cup semi against Germany erroneously in 2014—it was 2015, as that's when the Women's World Cup was. Not surprising, as their coverage of the 2015 Women's World Cup consisted of a cute fun movie poster that was very entertaining but said little about the match. Perhaps I shouldn't have expected much about women's soccer in a book about soccer from 2 male English soccer fans, but I admit I got my hopes up, and still found their lazy engagement with the USWNT disappointing, especially considering that the Chicago Bears got nearly a page, or that they had room for a "best bald team" of all time. ...more