Bono [BARGAIN PRICE] (Paperback)

by Michka Assayas (Author) "What does it take to get Bono on the couch?..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Bob Dylan, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A musts-read for the U2 faithful or for anybody interested in the life of a modern, multitasking rabble-rouser. -- Palm Beach Post

Even non-fans will find inspiration in Bono's passion for living. -- People --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
Even non-fans will find inspiration in Bono's passion for living. (People) It's refreshing to read a discussion that allows for serious, no-B.S. answers and even entertaining digressions. Assayas's questions are thoughtful ones... (GQ) A musts-read for the U2 faithful or for anybody interested in the life of a modern, multitasking rabble-rouser. (Palm Beach Post) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• ISBN-10: 1594481733
• ASIN: B000HIV0H2
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #549,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look inside mind and heart of Bono, January 25, 2007

By	J. SHARP (Alabama - United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bono (Paperback)

A pleasant surprise. I was afraid this book-length interview would turn into a self-congratulatory rambling session with a sycophantic journalist. However, Assayas keeps after Bono with tough and interesting questions and Bono is - by and large - candid and frequently quite insightful. He holds back on some things, which is his perogative, and can get on tangents about his greatest passion of the moment (Africa) but ultimately I found him an honest, fascinating, intelligent, and admirable fellow. I couldn't put it down.

Especially refreshing (and amusing) is the chapter devoted to Bono's theology ("Add Eternity to That"). He has a penchant for dropping swear words into the discussion and that may be off-putting to some Christians. He clearly points to Christ's sacrifice on the cross and God's grace as his only hope of salvation but avoids the cliches evangelicals often fall back on. You don't hear that from too many rock stars.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An In-depth Conversation., March 4, 2007

By	tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Though I enjoy their music, I'm still not a huge fan of U2. However, I have become quite interested in the band's front man, Bono. Bono has used his celebrity and fame in a way that many others would benefit from by example. I find the man fascinating and I was looking forward to learning more about him.

BONO is an extended interview that Michka Assayas had with Bono over a period of several years. The project originally didn't start out as book, but as Assayas discusses, a book-length interview seemed to best way to present everything that he and Bono had discussed. I was a bit leery about the book before reading it because I had never read a book-length interview before and I was concerned the book might start repeating itself. Thankfully, BONO doesn't. Assayas doesn't do much sugar-coating and asks Bono tough questions. Bono seems to like this though, as it forces him to do some serious reflection and self-evaluation. What follows, then is a written conversation that is candid, often insightful, and sometimes humorous.

The only repetition in the piece is brought up by Bono himself in regards to his work with Africa. Had another celebrity mentioned the cause, it might seem like fluff. But Bono is serious and since the book takes place over a series of years, one can see how serious Bono is about the problem and what he has done over time to find a solution.

Bono is a Christian and I especially enjoyed reading about his faith. There aren't very many Christians who are also world famous rock stars, so he isn't a typical Christian and I found it interesting to read how Bono balances between his faith and his fame. Bono does uses some foul language every once and awhile and some people might be taken back by that. Personally, I found it refreshing to read an authentic account of faith instead of tired and overused clichés that many evangelicals often use in discussing their lives.

A great book for anyone who is a fan of U2 or Bono or for someone looking to read about a famous Christian who tries to use their celebrity for Biblical purposes.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Person, March 28, 2009

By	W. M. Campbell - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This read is a glimpse into the person we know as Bono. He expands on his beliefs, his work as an ambassador for the poorest of the poor, and gives some intresting insight into relationships between the band members.

If you don't like u2, there is a good chance you will still enjoy the book. If you don't like Bono, you're probably not reading this review.