The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
jdh_ky's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
mrslush50's review against another edition
5.0
NOTE: Not a review. This is just random stuff I wrote down while reading the book.
1. It's amazing how often some Christians can dismiss God's plan because it doesn't fit their own preconceived idea about how God works. Or dismiss the obvious anointing on another person's life because that person doesn't look or sound like their definition of a Christian.
2. Bono has always been someone I've admired. For his talent yes, but also for his complete sincerity. He truly believes the things he says, and he truly believes in the causes he champions. And yes, he has sometimes been a bit of a dick. And yes, he can often come across as "holier than thou." Both traits that are byproducts of that sincerity, I think.
3. As a huge fan of The Edge and his guitar playing, I'm really enjoying Bono's insight and stories about his longtime friend and bandmate. I'd love to read Edge's memoir if he ever writes one.
4. Reading this book has inspired me to go back and learn a few songs. So far I've picked up "Out of Control", "One", and "London Calling" by The Clash. The last of which I've learned on bass rather than guitar. The bass line is cooler.
5. What an odd life rock stars live. It's a dangerous profession. So many of them die young. Bono says at one point that you're expected to die on the cross of fame by the time you're 33. It's almost as though we as a society have decided that an acceptable price to pay for the fame and glory of rock success and excess, is an early death.
6. The audio version of this book is incredible. It's exactly what a musician's memoir should be. New versions of songs have been recorded just for the book. Additionally, Bono is an excellent narrator. He even does passable impressions of many of the larger-than-life characters he encounters throughout the retelling.
1. It's amazing how often some Christians can dismiss God's plan because it doesn't fit their own preconceived idea about how God works. Or dismiss the obvious anointing on another person's life because that person doesn't look or sound like their definition of a Christian.
2. Bono has always been someone I've admired. For his talent yes, but also for his complete sincerity. He truly believes the things he says, and he truly believes in the causes he champions. And yes, he has sometimes been a bit of a dick. And yes, he can often come across as "holier than thou." Both traits that are byproducts of that sincerity, I think.
3. As a huge fan of The Edge and his guitar playing, I'm really enjoying Bono's insight and stories about his longtime friend and bandmate. I'd love to read Edge's memoir if he ever writes one.
4. Reading this book has inspired me to go back and learn a few songs. So far I've picked up "Out of Control", "One", and "London Calling" by The Clash. The last of which I've learned on bass rather than guitar. The bass line is cooler.
5. What an odd life rock stars live. It's a dangerous profession. So many of them die young. Bono says at one point that you're expected to die on the cross of fame by the time you're 33. It's almost as though we as a society have decided that an acceptable price to pay for the fame and glory of rock success and excess, is an early death.
6. The audio version of this book is incredible. It's exactly what a musician's memoir should be. New versions of songs have been recorded just for the book. Additionally, Bono is an excellent narrator. He even does passable impressions of many of the larger-than-life characters he encounters throughout the retelling.
85tarheel's review against another edition
4.0
“Punk rock slapped me on my naked arse and I just started wailing. Almost in tune” says Bono in this entertaining, if a bit long, memoir. He has organized it with the chapter titles being the names of U2 songs and generally this works well. You can tell he wrote it, it is so his voice and style. He is often self deprecating, noting things about himself like “people who openly profess faith can be—how shall I put this?—such a pain in the arse” as well as recounting how one person greeted him with “Sting! It’s so great to see you again!” The book is honest and often insightful, especially about how the band formed and worked, and about family and religion. He gets it, “A religion that can so punish and degrade people is likely not being honest to God.” I think it ended up being just a bit long, it gets meandering and there are ideas and sections that seem to be repeated, but as he notes in talking about U2’s change in musical styles, “You can’t force everyone to love your experiments.” Overall though, a fine memoir of an interesting person.
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.