NF

U2 vocalist, celebrity activist and one of the world's most outsized rock stars, Bono symbolically takes off his habitual shades to reveal the relatively normal guy behind the flashy (and occasionally bombastic) public persona in this series of wide-ranging conversations. Readers familiar with the Irish singer won't be surprised that he comes off as both earnest and quick minded, but the book's long-form q&a format also reveals an acerbic sense of humor and genuine humility. Topics shift and flow in a fairly nonlinear fashion; anecdotes jump around from 1979 to 1998, from Dublin to Africa, from music to father-son relationships. Presuming that most readers are intimate with U2's history and discography, interviewer Assayas gives little background information other than the dates and location of each discussion. The lack of context or clear chronology is at times frustrating, but Assayas, a French journalist and longtime friend of the group, compensates by steering the conversations into difficult territory: politics, religion and the personal dynamics of a successful rock band. This is sure to appeal to completists; more casual fans may snap it up after seeing one of U2's forthcoming concerts for their album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Agent, Ed Victor. (Apr. 21) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reservedRead less (Puplisher's Weekly)

Although others will say that this is not true, I can honestly say that I do not believe I have ever heard a U2 song. Since starting this book, I've listened to snippets of their songs on the iTunes store, and really do not recognize any of them...although I certainly have not listened to all of them.

So, that being said, this book taught me so much about Bono. I was drawn to it because I read a brief article about him in the Wall Street Journal, which talked a bit about his Christian faith.

I really enjoyed the format of the book - a transcript of conversations he had with the author over several years. This worked so much better than many "celebrity" written books..."And then when I was 10 I went here...and when I was 22 I said this...and when I had my first platinum record...". Those books seem so novelized as to make you wonder if they are really true or not. Now, of course, you could say the same with this book if you believe Bono was making things up about his life and beliefs.

But, the conversational style also allows the questioner to follow-up to discern out the BS if its there.

So, as I said, I enjoyed this book a lot. I have much respect for Bono since reading it, even though I would say that I am on a different location in the spectrum of politics than he is. But I have to admit he forced me to question my positions a bit about trade issues and Africa in particular, bringing in the colonial history aspect (although I did thoroughly enjoy when he stated that it was the political left/liberals who kept the free trade barriers up in order to protect their own countries' farmers from competition via products from Africa!).

It was also impressive that Bono speaks so easily about his Christianity. I'm not sure if that comes through significantly in U2's concerts, not ever being to one. But I would be curious to know how those in attendance react to it if it does...of course, it's possible for his fans to say they respect him, and yeah, "I am spiritual, but not religious"...and then go home and go about not practicing their supposed faith, having been burned at some point in their past with formal churches, or remembering the hassle from their youth and assuming that experiencing their faith as an adult will be exactly the same...or that by never trying a different church than their youth, that all are the same. Here is a man that freely admits issues with his youth while in the church, and yet never let it destroy that faith. A very respectable perspective...

Overall, I urge you to read the book, regardless of your political or faith/lack of faith position. I know I learned something - perhaps you will too. ( )

Interesting insights given. I'm full of admiration for Bono's boundless enthusiams, and a little surprised at his candid megalomania.

I liked the conversational format, but found the questioner far too sycophantic, which reflected badly on Bono. ( )

Rock is not my scene, but I was deeply impressed with this book. Bono has a passion for justice rooted in the Bible, and some profound thoughts about religion. He is a Christian believer without being dogmatic or the least bit intolerant of people who think differently. ( )