Adrian Berger (born 1952) is an American historian, history teacher and lecturer, now living in the United Kingdom. He is famous for his numerous historical works, most notably on the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is currently working on a new publication entitled 'Hays for the Defence,' a biographical work detailing the life and cases of Arthur Garfield Hays, a prominent lawyer in the 20th century civil rights movement.

Berger now lives in Essex, Eastern England and works at two educational establishments; King Edward VI Grammar School, where he is a teacher of GCSE and A level history, as well as the Institute of Education, University of London, where he lectures PGCE students on effective teaching methods. His eccentric teaching style has attracted much interest from students and teachers alike, and has also been imitated by many.

Career

Berger currently teaches at both King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford and the Institute of Education, University of London.

Adrian Berger has previously worked in a Kibbutz (Where he nearly shot a pool cleaner with an Uzi) and several other less interesting food manufacturing industries.

Name

Berger has often been mocked - although most would argue in a joking fashion - because of his name, which is pronounced in the same way as the English word 'burger.' He frequently has to explain that it is not pronounced 'berjer.' Furthermore, he stresses that his first name is "neither ham, nor cheese, nor please eat me I am a...."

He has no middle name, despite constant speculation, due to a long serving family tradition on his father's side.

Accusations of anti-Semitism

Despite having a Jewish background (being brought up in a Jewish household; his mother being a Jew), Berger has during his career been accused of anti-semitism. The most notable case of this was during his period as teacher of history at Westcliff High School for Boys in 1995. A young jewish boy, a pupil in his class, was failing to pay attention to Berger's teaching, preferring instead to draw pictures of flying Rabbis on his work. Seeing this, Berger reprimanded the student, who returned home and told his father - a devout Orthodox Jew - who, the next day telephoned Berger at the school. Having been accused of being anti-semitic, he assured the young boy's father that he had strong links with Judaism himself, thus rendering any argument of anti-semitism void. However, on the back foot, the boy's father stated that Berger was in fact "the worst kind of Anti-Semite." Berger repeatedly denies this claim.

Although this is the only known case of this kind, Berger's outspoken views have often led to strong reactions, for example his view that teachers have a moral duty to instruct students of the unethical nature of Nazism.

Presidential aspirations

Berger, a strong supporter of the United States Democratic Party has announced his ambition to become Democratic candidate for the 2012 United States presidential election. Berger has never before held political office, and also currently lives in the United Kingdom. However, this has not stopped him beginning his preparations for the contest. He predicts that he will be running against John Travolta, only after Arnold Schwarzenegger has been denied permission to stand, as a result of his Austrian descent. Furthermore, he has created a number of campaign slogans, which he hopes will set him apart from the Republican Party nomination, such as:

"You can go further with Berger"

"You'll have no beef with Berger"

Despite his confidence however, commentators have doubted whether Berger will be selected for the Democratic nomination. The reasons for this are unknown. It is evident, however, that the alleged violent conduct (anonymous witness) following a King Edward VI Grammar School staff Christmas Party has severly damaged his reputation amongst the American public, who follow his actions closely in his local British newspaper the Essex Chronicle

Mr Berger is no stranger to electoral success; alleged reports have come to light claiming that he was infact voted 'Best Baby' at a local competition in his early youth. Many of his supporters have stated that this may be the key to him winning the next American Presidential Election. He is to this day congratulated on his baby-like features.

The 'Double V'

One of Berger's most effective teaching methods is his use of memorable actions and quotes to ensure significant events and concepts are recognised and remembered by his students. Of these actions, the most memorable to date is his visual presentation of the 'Double V (left), which involves Berger standing with his arms outstretched and both hands enacting the 'peace' symbol, making the shapes of two Vs. This presentation was made during a lesson illustrating the Double V Campaign of African-Americans post World War Two.

Future plans

Despite declaring that he gains enormous enjoyment and satisfaction from both of his current jobs - something many argue is reflected in his teaching - it has been Berger's plan for quite some time to quit his job and go travelling around the world on his motorcycle, which he rides frequently. This is currently a 2002 BMW R1150RT, of the touring variety, ideal for this purpose.
With this intention Berger - in both of his jobs - is on a rolling one year contract, stating that when his contract is not renewed he will fulfill his ambition.

However, many current and former students have expressed their dismay at such plans, making clear that such an occurrence would be detrimental to the study of history within the UK. Others, though, point out that previous journeys with a historical emphasis, such as Berger's visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia and 'Little White House' - also in Georgia, former retreat of Franklin D Roosevelt, have led to the enriching of Berger's historical knowledge, which he has since been able to impart to his students.

'Berger Minutes'

One of Berger's most successful teaching techniques is his ability to completely dominate the class and cause it to be subject to his will. Indeed, he is even able to manipulate time during his lessons, through use of 'Berger Minutes.' Although on some occasions Berger minutes appear to be remarkably similar to "Earth minutes," (commonly thought to resemble GMT) they vary in length, according to Berger's mood and the standard of the task set. For example, before asking students to complete an activity he will announce that the class has "Ten Berger minutes" to provide a suitable answer.

When asked where the concept of Berger Minutes stems from, Berger, amused, replied "From the Planet of Berger." A captivated student then prompted the question, "Sir, does that make you Berger King?" (a reference to the popular fast-food restaurant chain Burger King.)

Trivia

Berger has claimed that:

He served in the FBI during the Cold War, and he was instrumental in the downfall of the former USSR

During the 1960s was a member of the Communist Party of the USA, and was put on the FBI's black list (note the contradiction with the above statement).

He served as a member of the Green Berets during the Vietnam War, once taking out a whole platoon of Vietcong soldiers using only one clip of ammunition. It was his role in this conflict - particularly through coming into contact with napalm during his periods on the front line - that led to him sustaining a facial injury requiring operation during the early part of 2006.

He is an 'FOB' (Friend of Bill), thus declaring his allegiance to former President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

Alaska's inhabitants consist only of two eskimos and a husky, and thus do not deserve two members of the United States Senate.

In the 1980s was involved in a production of hit musical Guys and Dolls where he played the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson, thus exhibiting his vocal prowess.

He has, during the course of his eventful life, either lived (or had a relative live) near a direct descendant of Joseph Stalin himself; this may, or may not, be related to his 'alleged' connections with the Russian Communist forces in America during the 1980s.

He knows every word to The Battle Hymn of the Republic which he has proved by reciting the song on a number of occasions. However, he has strong objections to the use of the tune in popular culture. For example, when students have sung an adaption of the tune; "Glory Glory Man United," he has proceeded to become highly irritated.

Digressions during lessons can be caused quite easily through a student suggesting that Adolf Hitler was either not as maligned in intentions or actions as history would suggest, or by voicing the unorthodox argument that the Holocaust was in fact caused by the malicious actions of the Jews. Berger abhors both these opinions.

A self styled "humanist" Mr Berger often states his deep seated dislike of anything fun. Such events can include [but not be limited too] Christmas, Easter, New Year's celebrations and even the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Reputedly he will spend Christmas 2006 marking essays for his University classes and 'may' indulge in a small bowl of icecream in order to mark the birth of Christ. This often brings to the surface past allegations that Mr Berger has a passing likeness to the mythic 'Grinch' the self-styled Anti-Christmas. Further, he has on occasions limited students to completing their Christmas Holiday homework only on 25th December and between the hours of 20:00 and 23:59 on New Year's Eve.

Many of the above statements are unlikely to be true, and have been difficult to verify. It is commonly acknowledged that these statements are used more often as teaching aids rather than actual pieces of historical narrative.

References

A Berger: Memoirs - Adrian Berger, Defton Press 2006 ISBN 0-441-59445

External links

Adrian Berger at the Institute of Education