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Bono on Bono: Conversations with Michka Assayas
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (2005-06-06)
ISBN: 0340832762
EAN: 9780340832769
Dewy Decimal #: 781
Hardcover: 323 pages
Release Date: 2005-06-06
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Customer Reviews
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Sean on Bono.....
Rating  (3)
Date: 2006-06-30
1 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Bono is a character of depth, a man of many principles, and a man of many words. His ability to engage his audience and captivate his fans, and the ears of the stranger, is an inspiring gift.
This book, however, doesn't give as much of the legend that is Bono in the way that perhaps is hinted at an initial glance at the book. In deed the book reads as an informal conversation between Bono and the reader at times, but it's almost as if the author / commentator only scratches the surface of a character with so much more depth. I was left wanting more (perhaps a good thing) and I agree with earlier reviwers that the book doesn't tend to convey anything afresh in terms of a fans' understanding or glimpse of Bono.
Perhaps bo book could really communicate the above?! I guess my overall feeling though was that if Bono had of written the whole commentary himself, (i.e. done just an up to date mono-biography), then perhaps I would have enjoyed or retained more from this read. It's worth a read if you're a fan of U2, Bono or the issues that seem to evidently fill Bono's mindset; but I think there are better options if you are planning on gaining further insight into the 'Mysterious Ways' of the 'One' they call Bono.
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Entertaining, funny, well put together
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-04-14
9 out of 10 customers found this reveiw helpful
Whatever you think of the man, Bono is something else. Here we get some genuine insight into what makes this extraordinary individual tick. The series of dialogues between the Irish singer and old friend French writer Michka Assayas covers just about everything you can think of with intelligence and humour. At one point they discuss that these conversations themselves may be some kind of therapy for Bono since the relatively recent death of his father.
From his troubled adolescence and the death of his mother, to his recent first-hand experiences of international economics and politics, to his relationship with God and Christianity, Bono reveals all. Meetings with the Pope, George W. Bush, President Gorbacev calls round for Sunday lunch, there are some fascinating bits and pieces! Just as he appears on the point of pomposity or pretentiousness, out comes a quote from Monty Python, or a self-deprecating U2 story.
For a millionaire rock star, Bono comes across as remarkably in touch with reality and with his feet firmly on the ground. In fact it is astonishing that he appears to be so in touch with so many different realities, and still have a healthy sense of perspective. One senses a clear-headed ambition to achieve an ongoing balance between idealism and realism.
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I feel numb
Rating (3)
Date: 2006-01-24
2 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Having followed U2 since the very early 80's and read literally all books written about them, I was left feeling a bit flat after reading Bono on Bono. There was very little in here that I didn't already know and a huge chunk of the dialogue concentrates on Bono's work for Africa. Yes - an extremely important subject area and one that we are all greatly interested in - but to fill so much of the book with this topic created an imbalance of subject matter. I wasn't looking for tabloid style journalism here - simply a greater insight into the bands early days, struggles, achievements, personalities, relationships and so on. It doesn't really go there in any great depth which left me feeling a bit numb and unfulfilled.
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The best book I have ever read
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-10-09
1 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is the best book I have ever read.You laugh and cry and it you think. I found this book to have an effect on me after I read it. Its an amazing book about one of the worlds most famous rock stars. But he's not just a rock star there is a special soul behind those sunglasses of his. If you are a crazy U2 fan buy it and if not you should still read it.
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Frenchman Drills for Irish Gold
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-09-21
6 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
Bono admits that he thinks best under the pressure of combative minds. Michka Assayas provides the foil for the intelligent and insightful musician. Despite having known U2 since 1980, Assayas is no sycophant and takes pleasure from pushing Bono into self analysis and revelation. What emerges is not your common autobiography but a deep and intimate portrait of the legend that is the U2 frontman, written in conversational and accessible style.My impression is that Bono's life has already contained 100 times as much as a normal person's, despite having only inhabited the planet for 44 years. He's slept in Brezhnev's bed, enjoyed cigars with Clinton, had Gorbachov turn up for Sunday lunch (and forgotten he was coming!), been chastised by Tutu, given sunglasses to the Pope, hung out with DJ'ing supermodels, taken advice from Johnny Cash and addressed the US Senate on perhaps the biggest issue of this century. Not bad for someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. The man is an impressive human being who oozes a deep rooted spirituality, yet admits that very religious people make him shudder. He seems to know his way around family life, good wine, real politik, music and art. What's not to like about him?! To read about his life, his energy, his desires and his humility will probably challenge you in at least seven different directions all at the same time. Even if you don't care for his music, any person who most admires grace as a characteristic, is probably going to be worth finding out more about. I felt uplifted by this book and I hope you do too.
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Retail Price: £18.99
Amazon.com's Price:£0.01
That's 100% Off!
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