Reviews

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono

mikebarbre's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

taramarion's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I enjoyed the book until Bono wrote about the 1990s when U2 reinvented itself. Ironically, this is the same time I stopped enjoying U2's music.

dejeneratereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

Too long, might return to it someday

courtneyivaska's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

lis_allenwalker's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.75

As a fan of U2 this felt like required reading. That said there were so many incredible insights and wisdom on life and art and the power we have for change and activism. I finished feeling inspired and a deeper love for U2 and Bono then I had before.

davechua's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This was great when Bono reflected on the band's early years, but a lot of the other sections felt like too much name dropping and weren't engaging.

This is one instance where the audiobook is almost a necessity, with Bono doing the narration and of course songs.

kelly_inthe419's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I read this on audiobook (thank you PRH Audio) and loved Bono’s narration and the stories he told of 40 years in music and global advocacy. His Irish roots shine brightly and his commitment to his family, his friends, and his bandmates felt heartwarming and sincere.

I loved how he tied a moment (or moments) in time to each chapter named for various songs in U2’s vast repertoire. From Iris, dedicated to his mother who passed when he was barely a teen, to With or Without You, a heartfelt tribute to his wife of 40+ years Ali, each chapter brought a unique and candid perspective to the man and his work.

Bono talks about his youth growing up in Dublin with his taciturn father and older brother, including showing up for his first band tryout and the boys who grew into a cultural phenomenon. From making music and performing with superstars ranging from Bob Dylan to Luciano Pavarotti and from Sir Paul McCartney to Johnny Cash, I enjoyed the ride. And his commitment for more than 20 years to the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty across Africa has surely been shaped and influenced by all he’s seen and done.

While I loved hearing from Bono himself, it did start to feel long (20+ hours is a long audiobook!) especially when he veered off into politics and US politics in particular.

Otherwise, this was such a great memoir and highly recommend it especially for fans of U2. The audiobook is the only way to go here!

jasonpwrites's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

A must for any U2 fan. Bono is a great writer.

klhitt's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Audio is a must

snharcourt's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced

4.0