Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for anyone who has grown up listening to U2, 12 May 2005
War was the first album I bought when I was about 12. I have always found Bono to be a fascinating character, full of passion and contradictions. Also, as a Christian, I have been intrigued and challanged by his often confusing professions of faith, both in the music and in the press.
This book answers so many questions, and raises many more. The book is in the form of an extended interview over a couple of years (2002-2004) by a French journalist/friend. In it Bono, sometimes reluctantly, usually candidly, discusses faith, family, celebrity, politics, aids, africa, the band, influences, aging, and so much more. I found myself completely engrossed, stirred, challanged and maybe even changed by this book.
Does it reveal the 'real' Bono? Who is the real Bono? I didn't come away with all the answers, but with a renewed respect for a man comfortable with himself, but restless to do more, be more and mean more in this life, while looking forward to the next.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, funny, well put together, 14 April 2006
Whatever you think of the man, Bono is something else. Here we get some genuine insight into what makes this extraordinary individual tick. The series of dialogues between the Irish singer and old friend French writer Michka Assayas covers just about everything you can think of with intelligence and humour. At one point they discuss that these conversations themselves may be some kind of therapy for Bono since the relatively recent death of his father.
From his troubled adolescence and the death of his mother, to his recent first-hand experiences of international economics and politics, to his relationship with God and Christianity, Bono reveals all. Meetings with the Pope, George W. Bush, President Gorbacev calls round for Sunday lunch, there are some fascinating bits and pieces! Just as he appears on the point of pomposity or pretentiousness, out comes a quote from Monty Python, or a self-deprecating U2 story.
For a millionaire rock star, Bono comes across as remarkably in touch with reality and with his feet firmly on the ground. In fact it is astonishing that he appears to be so in touch with so many different realities, and still have a healthy sense of perspective. One senses a clear-headed ambition to achieve an ongoing balance between idealism and realism.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Frenchman Drills for Irish Gold, 21 Sep 2005
Bono admits that he thinks best under the pressure of combative minds. Michka Assayas provides the foil for the intelligent and insightful musician. Despite having known U2 since 1980, Assayas is no sycophant and takes pleasure from pushing Bono into self analysis and revelation. What emerges is not your common autobiography but a deep and intimate portrait of the legend that is the U2 frontman, written in conversational and accessible style.My impression is that Bono's life has already contained 100 times as much as a normal person's, despite having only inhabited the planet for 44 years. He's slept in Brezhnev's bed, enjoyed cigars with Clinton, had Gorbachov turn up for Sunday lunch (and forgotten he was coming!), been chastised by Tutu, given sunglasses to the Pope, hung out with DJ'ing supermodels, taken advice from Johnny Cash and addressed the US Senate on perhaps the biggest issue of this century. Not bad for someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. The man is an impressive human being who oozes a deep rooted spirituality, yet admits that very religious people make him shudder. He seems to know his way around family life, good wine, real politik, music and art. What's not to like about him?! To read about his life, his energy, his desires and his humility will probably challenge you in at least seven different directions all at the same time. Even if you don't care for his music, any person who most admires grace as a characteristic, is probably going to be worth finding out more about. I felt uplifted by this book and I hope you do too.
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