U2 by U2 is the only definitive, official history of one of the most famous bands in the world, by the members of the band themselves. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen offer a unique, insightful account of everything fans want to know, from U2's birth 25 years ago and its evolution to become the biggest band in the world to their personal dramas and successes to the politics and emotions that drive them and their music. As cool, elegant, and exciting as the band itself, U2 by U2 is a must-have for any music fan's collection.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
In 1975, four teenagers from Mount Temple School in Dublin gathered in a crowded kitchen to discuss forming a band. The drum kit just about fit into the room, the lead guitarist was playing a homemade guitar, the bassist could barely play at all and nobody wanted to sing. Over thirty years later, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are still together, bound by intense loyalty, passionate idealism and a relentless belief in the power of rock and roll to change the world.
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In a epic journey that has taken them from the clubs of Dublin to the stadiums of the world, U2 have sold over 130 million albums, been number one all over the world, revolutionized live performance, spearheaded political campaigns and made music that defines the age we live in.
From the anarchic days of their Seventies punk origins through their Eighties ascent to superstardom with the epic rock of The Joshua Tree, the dark post-modern ironies of Achtung Baby in the Nineties and their 21st-Century resurgence as rock's biggest and boldest band, this is a tale of faith, love, drama, family, birth, death, survival, conflict, crises, creativity . . . and a lot of laughter.
Told with wit, insight and astonishing candour by the band themselves and manager Paul McGuinness, with pictures from their own archives, U2 by U2 allows unprecedented access into the inner life of the greatest rock band of our times. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
“Arguably the greatest rock band on the planet, U2 now offers the definitive version of how it got there.” (USA Today )
“Fascinating details.” (Entertainment Weekly )
“...a definitive retrospective based on more than 150 hours of interviews.” (Rolling Stone )
“The book is sure to satisfy even the truly dedicated.” (Vanity Fair )
“...U2 BY U2 sure feels a lot like gospel.” (Chicago Sun-Times )
“Recommended for all popular music collections.” (Library Journal )
“Fascinating details.” (Entertainment Weekly )
“...a definitive retrospective based on more than 150 hours of interviews.” (Rolling Stone )
“The book is sure to satisfy even the truly dedicated.” (Vanity Fair )
“...U2 BY U2 sure feels a lot like gospel.” (Chicago Sun-Times )
“Recommended for all popular music collections.” (Library Journal )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Hedden
Format:Hardcover
If anyone here owns the Beatles Anthology companion book to the TV series/CD's, this isn't much different. The story is "written" by the band, quotes culled from over 150 hours of interviews done for Neil McCormick. Every phase of the band's career, from it's earliest days straight through to "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" is told solely through quotes from each band member, making this is as definitive, brutally honest, unflinching and uncompromising a book on the band as we'll ever see. These aren't moments plagiarized from magazine articles or other books, but personal recollections.
The pictures were taken from the band's personal archives. As much as there is to read here there's just as much to look at. You can honestly say, "I have NEVER seen this shot before" over and over again. This is a beautifully laid out book.
Moreso than any other book on U2, this book can be accurately described in two words: "definitive" and "essential". The band has the last word on it's personal history and here it is. Now If only there were a Beatles Anthology style DVD set on U2 to go along with this....
The pictures were taken from the band's personal archives. As much as there is to read here there's just as much to look at. You can honestly say, "I have NEVER seen this shot before" over and over again. This is a beautifully laid out book.
Moreso than any other book on U2, this book can be accurately described in two words: "definitive" and "essential". The band has the last word on it's personal history and here it is. Now If only there were a Beatles Anthology style DVD set on U2 to go along with this....
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By BMK
Format:Hardcover
This book is a mind-blower for even the most fervent U2 fan. Read all the other books on the group? Well, this one adds to everything you already know about them, plus takes it to all-new levels and truly lets the fan inside U2's circle. The text is all written by the bandmembers themselves (and Mr. McGuinness, of course), and what comes through is an epic story of 4 humble, generous, talented -- and very different -- individuals who came together and jelled into a searching, spiritual (and occasionally stumbling) supergroup that has found a way to soar. The best aspect of the self-narrative by Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam is the great depth of feeling and respect for each other that comes through -- whether it's Adam and Larry discussing the bond they have on stage, or Edge expressing protectiveness of Bono in the face of myths that have grown up around him and how they make him (Bono) vulnerable. On top of all this is the incredible wealth of photos that span U2's great career. There's just tons of great stuff here. I loved the books on U2 by Flanagan, Corbin, Stockman, et al, but this one is far and away the best. It's like really, TRULY meeting the band for the first time. Wow.....wow.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Jen G.
Format:Hardcover
Owning this book is literally like owning their history. The pictures are just beyond amazing. Every U2 picture you've ever seen do NO justice to how beautiful and charming these four men really are. Page after page after page reveals a facet to their lives with new, never-before-seen views into their past with humorous commentary to go with it. Just when you thought you'd seen and heard everything about U2... oh no my friend, you ain't seen NOTHIN' yet.
Definitely a must-have for die-hard fans!
Definitely a must-have for die-hard fans!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
must buy
oh my goodness! this is a MUST BUY....i love it love it love it. i purchased the hardcover, its big (huge) heavy but soooo worth it! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Xochitl V Macias
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this book!
This is a great book and it was sent very quickly. I am totally enjoying it! I like the personal sharing in it and I never knew Paul McGuiness was such a good guy.
Published 14 months ago by Have A. Dream Dietrich
4.0 out of 5 stars
U2 Will Know All Now
A good book with good pictures. Black print on a dark red page is tough to read, not sure what genius thought that was a good choice. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Krista Oconnor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't Be Happier With This Book
I found this book--years later since it was first published in 2005--and decided to read it since U2 have always been my favorite band. Read more
Published 15 months ago by ABaxter
5.0 out of 5 stars
U2byU2
It is great to read the true story about the band from the same members of U2. A great piece of reading, a great story. A must have for a real U2 fan
Published 19 months ago by Daniel Perdomo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great quality
This book has some wonderful pictures and is full of interesting information. I would recommend to any fans of U2 or just those who want to know about them.
Published 20 months ago by A. Foltz
2.0 out of 5 stars
5 stars for hardcover version, 2 stars for paperback
I got the hardcover version of this book from the library and immediately wanted to own it. The photographs are sharp, gorgeous, and dramatic; the text was very interesting,... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Finn-Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read For All Diehard U2 Fans
This is the definitive U2 book with the band telling stories from their formation through 2006 in their own words. Read more
Published 20 months ago by petesea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what I ordered
Got what I asked for. No issues-easy transaction. Was happy to get this book (that I've wanted now for awhile) at a great price. Thanks!
Published 20 months ago by Georgie
5.0 out of 5 stars
U2 By U2 in their own words
after reading many things about these lads,this is for the most part closest to accuracy that one will read. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Sue expatriot
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