Customer Reviews

U2 by U2

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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....

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.

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!

U2 by U2 is everything a fan would love. I've been an avid fan for over 20 years, since July 13, 1985 (true fans will know what took place on that date). This book gives the insight I've always wanted about this wonderful group of musicians. U2 by U2 gives the story behind every song from their viewpoint (unlike "U2, the Story Behind Every Song", a book which was not from the band's viewpoint). This book delves deep into the elements that formulated each song. Whenever I listen to music, I always think of the mindset of the band and the way the song developed that led to its recording. U2 by U2 answered every question I ever had about U2's work, and I enjoyed it immensely. The band members revealed their human side in their extensive personal writings, and I fell more in love with them as a group having read this book. The pictures in the book surpass any I have ever seen, including the pictures contained in Anton Corbjin's book, U2 & i. This book is a must have for every U2 fan.
~Joanne

U2 by U2 is a book to possess. Unlike so many coffee table books, it's actually better for what it says than for what it shows. Furthermore, this is no exercise in self congratulation, as so many of these sorts of books turn out to be, it's something much greater. Amid a lot of terrific photography is a story as told by those from deep within the inside of the thirty-year project in music and social awareness that is U2. Anyone who ever accuses this band of narcissism and egotism should read this self-deprecating exercise in honesty, humility, and passionate gratitude for all the blessings these four men from Dublin acknowledge they've been given. Long before this quartet played arenas filled with adoring fans, they were unknown Irish boys with big dreams and a lot of almost innocent ambitions. Since their early start on homemade instruments in the mid-1970's, U2 has become not only the greatest rock and roll band active today---achievement enough in and of itself---but as headed by its conscience, U2 has been the force behind humanitarianism truly worthy of a Nobel Prize. U2 by U2 will only disappoint those who want the band to be iconic rather than human. For others, this is a testament in words and pictures to four decades of ups and downs, brilliance and endurance, and it is also just a plain and simple darn good read.

I can't express enough how GLAD I am to own this book. The photographs are exceptional and personal, and the band members open and up front about their (very) humble beginnings, all the way to stardom... which doesn't impress them much. It is the perfect Time for this book. The Band's willingness to put together this volume is a gift to the millions of us who have been touched by the greatest rock band in all the history of rock 'n' roll.

This is a remarkable book written by U2. It's nice to see so many photos and stuff that hasn't been shared before. They talk about their lives in a witty and fun way and you feel like you're there! They have always seemed like such nice guys. A must for every fan! This is what all great artists should do - write a nice coffe table book. Truly appreciated!!

I had just purchased my copy while in the Killiney/Dublin area this past weekend.I read it cover to cover on the flight back home to Philadelphia.Purchase this book ...you will not be disappointed.The pictures alone are worth it. The in depth conversations with each band member is extraordinary!

This book works on 2 levels. First it is a beautiful coffee table book with lots of rare and beautiful pictures of the band. But that's not what is the most appealing to me. The text is a remarkable telling of U2's story by the band members themselves. I was surprised at how open and candid these guys are here. They talk freely and openly about relationships, motivations, spirituality - everything. They are very candid - completely unguarded about their lack of musical ability early in their career, and also some of the failings of their recorded work. I got a sense that these guys are real people with integrity. Frankly I'm amazed, that with the popularity of U2, that this book is not talked about more. This is the definitive biography of the band.

I purchased this book as a gift for my boyfriend. He hasn't stopped talking about it and continuously quotes facts about U2 that he's read in the book whenever we're together. I'm very pleased with this purchase. I wouldn't have known about the book if it wasn't reccommended in the "if you liked this, you might also like that" section when I purchased a U2 CD. Thanks!