By: Evie Beaumaster

In the book ‘John Cleese Saved My Life… and Other True Tales of Pop, Politics and Prayer’, Berndt combines memories with past global events and songs, to teach not only his personal experience but the experiences of countless people. The book follows Berndt through many different times in his life and the spiritual and mental journeys that led him there.

I haven’t ever read a memoir quite like it. I believe that there are two types of memoirs, ones that share just experiences and ones that share experiences and wisdom. This book definitely shares wisdom more than just life experiences. All of the experiences that are shared here are shared in insightful ways that lead to us learning more about the bigger picture of the time period and the world. Berndt shares memories followed by quotes and song lyrics to help the reader grasp the bigger picture of the memory or the point that he is trying to share.

This book also gives insightful opinions about religion and religious beliefs, it also questions religion at its core. This book combines memory with facts about the time period and impacts of certain events, locally and globally. I think that Berndt successfully captured part of himself in the book.

This book was great, it was quick paced and cut up into short memories, and facts. This book took me approximately 3 hours to read and I finished it the same day I got my hands on the copy of the book that is available in the school library. This book is hard to put down and I only found myself stopping to eat, before I sat down and finished the entire book in one night. It was such an attention grabbing book and was an easy read.

Overall, I would recommend this book and in terms of memoirs, it is a great one. Berndt’s unique writing style helps capture the reader’s attention. I was skeptical at first, but I found myself captivated by the mix of songs, quotes and memories. Unlike some other memoirs, Berndt included research for timely events that relate to the book and this helps the reader think more deeply about the time period. I would recommend this book to older, less sensitive readers, as there are descriptions of violence and racism, as well as religious content and profanities that some readers might find offensive.

Overall, it is an excellent book that you should totally read!

For more information, please visit these websites:

• You can follow Mr. Berndt at http://scottberndtauthor.bsky.social/
• Mr. Berndt’s website: https://www.scottberndt.com/