The Making of U2's The Joshua Tree (Making Of...) (Paperback)

by Dave Thompson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A detailed track-by-track breakdown is the foundation of this in depth examination of U2's epochal fifth album.

About the Author
Dave Thompson

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc. (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896522300
• ISBN-13: 978-1896522302
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,338,487 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside The Joshua Tree, May 21, 2001

By	Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

1987's The Joshua Tree was U2's breakout album. They had been a big success in Europe, but in America, they were somewhat popular, but not superstars. Up to that point, they had never had a top ten album or single. That all changed when The Joshua Tree was released. The album was an instant smash, spent a staggering 9 weeks at number one and spawned two number one singles, "With Or Without You" & "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". They became the biggest band in the world and rock and roll icons. This book deals with the creative process of the recording of this seminal release. You get some good insights into the thought process behind the album. The one drawback is the book's size. It comes in a cd jewel case and is the size of a cd booklet. It doesn't feel like you are actually reading a book. Other than that, if you love The Joshua Tree, then you should check this book out.

3.0 out of 5 stars Feels like a cheap digest, March 14, 2006

By	Darechka (Valhalla, NY USA) - See all my reviews

After reading the book I tried to find out who Dave Thompson is - with no result. Well, he`s written several rock books but what`s their value?
Anyway, as for the book, it feels like some cheap digest. First off, it`s a jewel case-size book, which is not a problem by itself, though as one of the reviewers mentioned "it doesn`t feel like a book". The book is in a jewel case indeed - and for a reason, because it literally started falling apart the first time I opened it - no kidding, and I handle my books with care! The book itself is exactly 72 grey paper pages (no photos - wait, there are 3 tiny really awful photos in the very beginning!), which is not the biggest problem, though it feels like I paid too much.
The book starts with an unnessessary superficial introduction briefly mentioning the first 3 U2 albums and Live Aid (what was the point?). Then it goes into the significance of the album (everyone who`d buy the book is well aware of it already!), the sessions (feels like random citations from press), then it describes the promos, the album and meaning of the songs (very superficial, again), B-sides and The Joshua Tree tour. All of the book feels like random outtakes from interviews and other - really good - books. (Just to give you a clue: U2 Live for tour information, Into The Heart and interviews - the Rolling Stone interviews summarized in U2 files, for example - describe the creative process and song meanings etc) It was a big disappointment for me, because as a U2 fan I expected some new information on the album. And the whole book feels so superficial and cheap!
Bottom line: I only see two reasons to buy the book: 1. You LOVE the Joshua Tree album, but don`t care about the rest of U2 work (if it`s possible!), so you`d like to learn something about the album without using other (and much better!) U2 sources. 2. You`re a crazy U2 completist fan willing to buy anything that contains the 2 letters.

5 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars U2 en Colombia, November 13, 1998

By A Customer

U2 es un grupo que mueve masas a traves del mundo entero, aúncuando en países como Colombia si bien es conocido por sus éxitos With or without you, I still haven`t found what I`m looking for y Where the streets have no name, no deja de ser simplemente eso: El grupo de pop creador de esas canciones. Pero mas allá de esas canciones, U2 es un lider político que quizás sin darse cuenta ha influenciado con su música muchos movimientos europeos de tinte socio-polìtico , sobre todo en regiones en conflicto como Irlanda del sur. Es indiscutible que el disco que consagró a U2 como el mejor grupo de pop- rock, fué The Joshua Tree, pero han pasado ya 9 años desde su grabación, y los trabajos posteriores reflejan el crecimiento mental y espiritual del grupo así como su sentir frente al desarrollo de la humanidad en estos años. Es por ello que U2 será siempre un grupo de vanguardia en los mensajes que trasmite, así como en su estilo musical, aún cuando conserve siempre su clásica guitarra y moderado bajo.