mrpatperkins's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
It took me months to finish this book. Bono writes well when he tells stories, but he spends most of the book philosophizing, name dropping, and justifying his ego.
The only exception is the chapter “Beautiful Day,” where he writes about his father’s passing. He had a troubled and conflicted relationship with his “da,” and he tries to reconcile that relationship here. After I finished reading the chapter, I listened to the song “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own,” and I sat on the couch sobbing. Listen to what he’s saying, especially during the bridge, and you realize how powerful a tribute this song is. I’ll never hear it the same again.
But all in all, the book isn’t worth it. Buy one of U2’s albums instead.
The only exception is the chapter “Beautiful Day,” where he writes about his father’s passing. He had a troubled and conflicted relationship with his “da,” and he tries to reconcile that relationship here. After I finished reading the chapter, I listened to the song “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own,” and I sat on the couch sobbing. Listen to what he’s saying, especially during the bridge, and you realize how powerful a tribute this song is. I’ll never hear it the same again.
But all in all, the book isn’t worth it. Buy one of U2’s albums instead.
angelasunshine's review against another edition
4.0
I'm saying 3.5 rounded up... This was an interesting and entertaining book for the most part. I loved to hear about all of the amazing activism things he's participated in; clearly he's a good guy. It was a bit long though, and around page 425 I was losing some steam. He's a great storyteller though.
carolynlovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
jerzgrl626's review against another edition
4.0
As a fairly big fan of U2, I was very excited to read this book and, for lack of a better description, it was so cool. I loved how each chapter was named for one of their songs and how Bono used each song to tell a chapter in the band's (and his) life story. I chose to listen to this book and it was the best decision I could have made. His lilting Irish brogue brought even more authenticity to the story and you could really feel the emotions that some parts of the story invoked in him while listening to it. I was surprised at how much religion and, specifically Jesus, played such a huge role in the band's thinking, feeling and song writing. They're an incredible band with an incredible history- one of those bands that sneaks up on you because you never realize how many of their songs you've known for most of your life and how much they've been a part of your life. Absolutely loved it!
dcumberland's review against another edition
4.0
Bono is no stranger to writing professionally. However, I was still skeptical when I heard he was switching mediums to tell his story in a different and new way. But man, he can write! Sometimes, like earlier U2 tracks, the message comes across a little bloated or unfocused. But it finds it’s way soon after. The real star of this book is how self aware Bono is in his honest recollection of the past. He expressed his thoughts not only clearly, but in a full and impassioned way. My appreciation for U2 grew. My respect for Bono grew. This book was a fun ride through the history of the band, the life of the man, and greater meditations on life, passions, and existence in the ever changing music industry.
sfletcher26's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not normally a fan of autobiography, I much prefer the more dispassionate, removed comments the biographer has about his/her subject. That said, this is actually one of those rare autobiographies that is really good. In fact, I'd go so far as to say its one of the best autobiographies I've read. Engagingly structured and on the whole well written.
It's not without its faults though. It's overly long and Bono is a little overly loquacious and poetic at times (then again, this is Bono, so of course it is). And I have to admit that the last chapter is just far to pretentious for my tastes.
It's not without its faults though. It's overly long and Bono is a little overly loquacious and poetic at times (then again, this is Bono, so of course it is). And I have to admit that the last chapter is just far to pretentious for my tastes.