By Scott Carlson
Scott Berndt is a proud resident of St. Paul’s Como Park neighborhood, drinks lots of coffee and is prone to nostalgic daydreams.
Berndt is also partial to history, research and writing. He just published his first book, “John Cleese Saved My Life! …And Other True Tales Of Pop, Politics, And Prayer.” He calls his first tome “a Gen X mash-up where memoir meets history book.”
Set in Ronald Reagan’s America in the 1980s, Berndt unravels his adolescence and the political and pop culture forces that shaped his character and transformed his religious faith, he says on his website.
From the time he was a fourth grader, Berndt said he has wanted to write a book. Fifteen years ago, Berndt realized he wanted to leave behind a story that he could share with his children, one that leaned on his own experiences, reflecting his love of music and history.
“In the end it became what I like to call, ‘a Gen X mash-up’ where memoir meets history book,” Berndt told the Bugle.
A native of Anoka, Berndt graduated from Anoka High School in 1991, then enrolled at Hamline University. After college, he joined the St. Paul School District in 2003, where he has spent most of his career as a history teacher at Highland Park Senior High.
Berndt said he spent 10 years researching and writing his book, then spent another eight months carrying out the publishing process.
“Since my book is firmly situated in the 1980s, I listened to a lot of ‘80s music to place me in the mindset of my younger self,” Berndt said. He has a lengthy music playlist to explore the cultural significance of events in his book.
Some of Berndt’s playlist includes: Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie; The Boy in the Bubble by Paul Simon; Jammin’ Me by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers; Sign ’o the Times by Prince; All She Wants To Do Is Dance by Don Henley; Undercover (Of The Night) by The Rolling Stones; Allentown by Billy Joel; Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp; Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band; and The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby and The Range.
Besides gaining inspiration from a wide selection of rock ‘n roll music, Berndt pays homage to John Cleese, an internationally known English performer, comedian and presenter whose credits include the Monty Python comedy troupe. Cleese helped organize the Secret Policeman’s Ball benefit show for Amnesty International — reviewers credit him with creating a template for celebrity activism.
Cleese’s work had a profound impact in shaping his life, Berndt said.
Despite taking a decade to write his book, Berndt said the hardest part of this project has been promoting and marketing it.
“I am not a salesman so that is a challenge,” Berndt said.
Still, he is pushing forward, looking to schedule book signings and readings.
Published by Luminare Press in Oregon, Berndt’s book can be found online at Amazon.com and many booksellers. For further information, contact Berndt at [email protected].
Scott Carlson is managing editor of the Bugle.
Front cover of the book and a headshot with the following photo cutline:
Scott Berndt, a Como Park resident and St. Paul public school history teacher, published his first book this year. Photo by Dave Crawford.