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Neil McCormick

U2 by U2 Paperback – Illustrated, December 1, 2009

by U2 (Author), Neil McCormick (Author)

284 ratings

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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.

Print length

455 pages
Language

English
Publisher

It Books
Publication date

December 1, 2009
Dimensions

7.62 x 5.28 x 1.33 inches
ISBN-10

006190385X
ISBN-13

978-0061903854
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Editorial Reviews

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

From the Back Cover

In 1975, four teenagers from Mount Temple School in Dublin gathered in a crowded kitchen to discuss forming a band. More than 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.

In an epic journey that has taken the band from the clubs of Dublin to the stadiums of the world, U2 has sold more than 130 million albums, revolutionized live performance, spearheaded political campaigns, and made music that defines the age in which we live. Told with wit, insight, and astonishing candor by the band members 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.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ It Books; Illustrated edition (December 1, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 455 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 006190385X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061903854
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.11 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.62 x 5.28 x 1.33 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #616,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #640 in Theatre Biographies
- #1,892 in Rock Band Biographies
- #5,783 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
284 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		83%
4 star		11%
3 star		3%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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David

The BEST book ever written by U2!!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

I have loved U2 since their inception. This book, written by the band and their manager, is so truthful! Why do I love it so much?

1. The details are real. The images of what the men are talking about are from their own lives.
2. The way all 5 people, (Edge/Bono/Adam/Larry/Paul) talk about things that are so intimate, the way that they describe the songs, the experiences, their emotions is riveting!!!
3. Being a Lead guitarist/songwriter, I find Edge's comments so revealing. That being said, Bono gives his keen insights into the world of politics, troubles, and how committed he is to working to find solutions. Larry is the most reserved and reticent. Still, his words are the bedrock of U2. And Adam is a very well-spoken gentleman who really lays bare his soul.
4. If you are interested in how songs were put together, the difficulties and elations that these 4 men went through to bring U2 to the world, "That" is what makes this book outstanding!!!!

5-Star+ for sure. Probably the very finest autobiography by a band that I have ever read in my life.

2 people found this helpful

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Bella

BUY THE HARDCOVER edition and SKIP THIS PAPERBACK!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2014

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My low 2 star rating is for the paperback edition of this book - I give the hardcover edition 5 stars. The hardcover book is a true, large format, coffee table book with many beautiful photographs. I first purchased the paperback edition because of the high ratings. But after comparing the paperback and the hardcover editions I now realize that the high ratings were for the hardcover edition. The paperback edition has had many of the photographs removed. After first purchasing the paperback edition I later found this title in hardcover format at a used book store and purchased it for less than I purchased the paperback edition. HUGE quality difference. The hardcover edition is beautiful with many pictures - any U2 fan would love it. Even a used copy of the hardcover edition would make a better gift than this paperback.

13 people found this helpful

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James Hendrickson

Great read for any U2 fan!!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2015

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U2 by U2 is the ultimate book for any die-hard U2 fans. With more than 150 hours of interviews, U2 by U2 describes the music, the relationships and the evolution of the band in their own words. Set in a beautiful, large coffee table style book, U2 by U2 can be enjoyed again and again--first by looking at the photos, then by reading conversations among the band. If you are a U2 fan, buy this book.

If you know a U2 fan, give them this book as a gift. You will not be disappointed.

Pros:
Presented in an attractive coffee table book
Lots and lots of great U2 pictures from the 1970s to today
More than 150 hours of interviews with U2 on their lives from the 1970s to today
Well organized in chronological order

Cons:
No con unless you don't like U2 - then you shouldn't buy this book

Description:
U2 by U2 is the first book by the whole band in their own words and pictures.
U2 by U2 starts with childhood stories from the 1960s and continues on through the Vertigo tour.

I am a U2 fan. When I first picked up U2 by U2, I felt slightly giddy. I took my time opening the heavy cover and flipping through the thick shiny pages full of pictures. I glanced at enlarged bold quotes, previewing the details that were waiting for my closer reading.

U2 by U2 is not a quick memoir on the band that could be read in a weekend. It is not a magazine article, or even a compilation of articles. No, U2 by U2 is as dense as one of the band's albums. Like the music, it can be enjoyed on a superficial level--sitting on the coffee table, ready to entertain you for a few minutes time. But this is a book that can also be savored.

Listen to Boy as you read about their early years. Or flip to the section that corresponds with whatever U2 CD is already playing in your car. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. offer revealing, witty insight into the music and the moments around its creation. Reading U2 by U2 will only make your listening experience more enjoyable....

4 people found this helpful

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Sandra Henderson

The beginning

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

If parts got seriously boring at the end (Bono's diatribe), I loved the beginnings of the band. I could so identify to some of it and laugh out loud and cry to losses in my own life to my father and little brother. The Achtung Baby/Zooropa periods also got me going, feeling as refreshed as they were. But there are some moments I don't buy.
No way do I believe Bono's story of his car accident, nor he and Ali having some chaste affair. Just own it...puhlease. As this book is like 12 years old now, I hope, in other interviews they've honed up since, but then it may not matter to many now that don't think U2 is relevant. Trust me they are for all their pitfalls, they are like the last rock band standing, and we need a revival..

Helpful

beatles88

In depth view into the rise of U2

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is a must own for both U2 fans or fans of music in general. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr all give an inside look at how U2 got started and all the big moments of their careers up to 2006 when the book was published. One of the biggest music acts in the world now, it is incredibly interesting to see how it all came together when they were in high school, and how their success just seemed to happen slowly and organically. It wasn't until their 3rd album, "War" that they began to take off, and with the help of "Under a Blood Red Sky", started their rise as a top Live act. Get the book though to read the whole story, its a good one. And the book is well presented with lots of pictures, as well as chapters that fit the theme of the albums. (Example, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" era uses the red & black stripes/circles found on the album cover and booklet).

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Juliet Platt

A great insight into what it takes to make a successful team

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2006

Verified Purchase

This is a great book, presented as a series of reminiscent conversations between the 4 members of U2 and their manager, as they reflect on different periods of the band's history. What comes across very clearly is how they all differ from each other: they each have certain foibles and idiosyncracies that they acknowledge and respect in each other, often in a gently mocking and self-deprecating way, which makes entertaining reading. It is touching to read about how they stand by each other, and there is a clear sense that U2 are very much about life and death - they're not just a rock band.

The interesting thing is that U2 is such a model of successful team dynamics. The shared vision and quest for the perfect melody/album/gig is what compels them and keeps pulling them forward into the future. And along the way they each get to bring their own stuff to the party - Bono's chaotic creative process and intuition, Edge's technical brilliance and dogged determination, Larry's "so what" tests, Adam's steadiness and wisdom and Paul's expert management. It's all held together with great humour, authenticity, honesty, patience and love. A great lesson in hard work, determination, motivation and a healthy acknowledgement of what work life balance really is, even if sometimes it's hard to live up to. A must read for any music fan, and anyone who finds themselves working in a team environment where the whole needs to be greater than the sum of its parts.

9 people found this helpful

marjaneh

Great....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2020

Verified Purchase

Great condition! Was surprised! Very happy...

Amazon Customer

Excellent.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2017

Verified Purchase

Excellent book and seller.

Otavio

Excelent book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

Even bigger and with more detail than I expected...

guido paronetto

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

A great book, very heavy and well done, full of pics. For every U2 fans (and not only)

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