Product Description

Bono is one of the most influential musicians at work today. Over the past twenty-five years his band, U2, have sold a staggering 130 million albums and collected 14 Grammys. Their success has made Bono one of the most recognisable faces in the world.



Here, in a series of conversations with his friend, the music journalist, Michka Assayas, Bono reflects on his transformation from extrovert singer of a small, Irish, post-punk band into an international rock star. Along the way he speaks candidly about his childhood, about his mother's death, about his Christian faith and about his difficult relationship with his father, who died recently. Bono also speaks passionately about how he has used his fame as a platform to campaign fervently on a range of global issues, and why these issues - which include the IRA ceasefire, Third World debt and, most recently, the growing AIDS crisis in Africa - are so important to each of us.



Intimate, humorous, and fiercely opinionated, BONO ON BONO is Bono's story in his own words. It will fascinate and challenge fans of U2 and general readers alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47854 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-13
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'Witty and entertaining ... [Bono's] heart is warm, his mind is sharp, and his conversation a rich, unstoppable noise.' -- The Sunday Times

Review
'Witty and entertaining ... [Bono's] heart is warm, his mind is sharp, and his conversation a rich, unstoppable noise.' (The Sunday Times )

'Surprisingly candid ... BONO ON BONO is not only for die-hard U2 fans; it's also an uplifting and entertaining exploration of belief and the ability to question'

About the Author
Michka Assayas is a music journalist and novelist who lives and works in Paris. Michka met Bono in London in 1980, and was the first journalist to champion U2 outside Ireland and the United Kingdom. Michka and Bono have spent the last two years putting this book together at Bono’s home in Dublin, and in Paris, Bologna and on the French Riviera.

Customer Reviews

A must for anyone who has grown up listening to U2
War was the first album I bought when I was about 12. I have always found Bono to be a fascinating character, full of passion and contradictions. Also, as a Christian, I have been intrigued and challanged by his often confusing professions of faith, both in the music and in the press.
This book answers so many questions, and raises many more. The book is in the form of an extended interview over a couple of years (2002-2004) by a French journalist/friend. In it Bono, sometimes reluctantly, usually candidly, discusses faith, family, celebrity, politics, aids, africa, the band, influences, aging, and so much more. I found myself completely engrossed, stirred, challanged and maybe even changed by this book.
Does it reveal the 'real' Bono? Who is the real Bono? I didn't come away with all the answers, but with a renewed respect for a man comfortable with himself, but restless to do more, be more and mean more in this life, while looking forward to the next.

Entertaining, funny, well put together
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.

Frenchman Drills for Irish Gold
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.