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Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas
A portrait of the Grammy Award-winning lead singer of U2 discusses how his life and achievements defy rock-star clichés, describing his transformation from a post-punk band singer to one of the industry's most famous figures, his long-time marriage to his childhood sweetheart, and his work as a spokesperson for Third-World issues.
323 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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1011 people want to read
About the author
Michka Assayas
47 books9 followersMichka Assayas is a French author, music journalist and radio presenter. In France, he is known for his rock reviews and the Dictionnaire du rock published in 2000 and his radio show on radio France Inter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
January 4, 2012
Okay, Bono is just incredible as we all know. I am interested in him as a person because I admire his work, both musically and on behalf of those in poverty. He is a role model to me, strange as it may seem, because I usually have female role models. I have to say, that after reading this book, I want to know more about his wife, Ali. She is phenomenal, too. Bono and I don't have much in common, except the Irish blood coursing through our veins. But that is huge to me! Growing up Irish in the 70s and 80s and having U2's contribution to humanity happening simultaneously was a very happy time for Irish Americans. We felt a lot of pride for this band and this person. The book is an interesting format, a Q & A exchange, which I liked. It is already an older book, but there were significant insights into this person. I can't touch his faith which I find remarkable. I would like to be more faith-filled. At one point Bono says he admires, "So to make it through success and still have manners, to still have curiousity, intellectual curiousity, to still have some grace, to keep your dignity, that is really ...rare. I'm not one, but I'd like to be." I think Bono IS there and I was glad to learn about this great man and what he is thinking.
*What has stuck with me a few weeks after reading this book is that Bono is very accepting of all sorts of different kinds of people and was not willing to say bad things about anyone. He could see the good in people which I think is a very admirable trait. This is not to say that he doesn't think there is 'evil'--he does. But clearly he thinks we can do something about it! Cool!
*What has stuck with me a few weeks after reading this book is that Bono is very accepting of all sorts of different kinds of people and was not willing to say bad things about anyone. He could see the good in people which I think is a very admirable trait. This is not to say that he doesn't think there is 'evil'--he does. But clearly he thinks we can do something about it! Cool!
September 17, 2010
I'm glad that what this taught me is that a person who isn’t trying to be someone whitewashed and politically correct, whose faith is messy and out there but full of realness, balls-out craziness, and has a keen ear for God’s heart can really change the world.
quotes that stuck: “You know, celebrity is ridiculous. It’s silly, but it’s a kind of currency, and you have to spend it wisely.”
On Christmas: “The idea that God...the force of Love and Logic in the universe, that it would seek to explain itself is amazing enough. That it would seek to explain itself and describe itself by becoming a child born in straw poverty, in shit and straw... Unknowable love, unknowable power, describes itself as the most vulnerable. Love needs to find form, intimacy needs to be whispered...love has to become an action.”
“I think the things that really communicate universally are humour, grace, and strength of character.”
“’Be still and know that I am God’... ‘Shut Up and Let Me Love You’ would be the pop song.”
quotes that stuck: “You know, celebrity is ridiculous. It’s silly, but it’s a kind of currency, and you have to spend it wisely.”
On Christmas: “The idea that God...the force of Love and Logic in the universe, that it would seek to explain itself is amazing enough. That it would seek to explain itself and describe itself by becoming a child born in straw poverty, in shit and straw... Unknowable love, unknowable power, describes itself as the most vulnerable. Love needs to find form, intimacy needs to be whispered...love has to become an action.”
“I think the things that really communicate universally are humour, grace, and strength of character.”
“’Be still and know that I am God’... ‘Shut Up and Let Me Love You’ would be the pop song.”
February 26, 2020
A very good read. A different format than I've read before. The majority of the book is in Interview format where Michka asks a question and Bono answers it (answers never more than a page). Interview was conducted in person and through a series of phone calls over a couple of years.
Bono talks at length about his work for DATA (Bebit, AIDS, Trade, Africa) and how he hopes to help absolve debt for impoverished countries to they can become self sufficient.
www.theglobalfund.org
I would recommend this to any U2 fans or others that are looking for a different read. Definitely opened my eyes around the AIDS epidemic and other problems experienced in African countries.
Bono talks at length about his work for DATA (Bebit, AIDS, Trade, Africa) and how he hopes to help absolve debt for impoverished countries to they can become self sufficient.
www.theglobalfund.org
I would recommend this to any U2 fans or others that are looking for a different read. Definitely opened my eyes around the AIDS epidemic and other problems experienced in African countries.
November 23, 2010
The reason this book stands out is because Assayas doesn't keep his journalistic distance but presses into his friend and asks him the tough questions. He presses Bono on not speaking about Africa for over a decade and points out to him that colonialism in France was left-wing and championed by humanitarians. Bono doesn't really respond and dismisses the idea of irresponsible borrowing by African nations at one point but he does admit that aid created worse conditions and has propped up despots but he says that can be avoided by placing strict conditions on the money. At another point Bono says that he's not for a paternalistic attitude concerning Africa but later talks about rewards systems that sound paternalistic to me. He asks that we not see him as some wide-eyed idealist and then says we've got to starting bringing Heaven down to Earth now. Not surprisingly he's a bundle of contradictions.
At first blush it appears that he has reachable goals when it comes to charity: he explained to economist Robert Barro, and others, that the Jubilee 2000 debt cancellation was a one-time happening and would not encourage default on future debts; so why is there still a Jubilee campaign? Because not all debt was cancelled so just like all collectivists this is a plan that can never be fulfilled so these groups will never be satisfied in their social agendas and demands. One of my favorite passages is where he says that if you believe that aid is investment, that debt burden is unjust, in other words all his liberal suppositions, then the conclusion is that Africans will be able to take charge of their own destiny. Even if you follow all his rationale the conclusions don't follow from the premises. He believes that the West's treatment of Africans is the last bastion of inequality that we allow, says that we essentially have them chained to the ground, and insinuates that it is our racism that prevents us from giving more.
Bono claims that he's tired of begging for "crumbs" from the table of the rich but he sees giving almost exclusively in terms of governments-to-government transfers. He dubiously claims that a) America is at the bottom of spending on the poorest countries and b) that even if you include private philanthropy that America is still abysmally behind. In fact, in 2006 US charitable giving was $295.02 billion, which is twice as much as the next most charitable country, according to a 2006 comparison done by the Charities Aid Foundation. As percentage of GDP the US ranks 1st with 1.7% and Great Britain is 2nd at .73%.
He admits that the Sandinistas fascinated him because they were a majority and he was seeing liberation theology in practice. He was interested in socialism that didn't attempt to put down faith and used religion to inform the people of their rights. He was exploring his pacifism too and knows that Gandhi would say it is never appropriate to take up arms. He doesn't seem to know that Gandhi advocated that the Jews surrender to the Nazis in WWII, but this is a guy who praises the character of Bill Clinton at one point.
While this book contains the clearest presentation of the Gospel by Bono in any venue it still has the smirking nonsense he is known for. What is Christianity: "My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love...and as much as I respond in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that's my religion." Who is the Gospel of Jesus Christ for: "Jesus preached the Gospels for the poor." How to interpret the Old Testament: "the Old Testament is more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects...those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend." Theological typology: "the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across as Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross." He's into deeds not creeds, spirituality and not religion. And like many of the topics outside of music, he holds sometimes interesting, sometimes quirky views but generally lacking wisdom or insight.
At first blush it appears that he has reachable goals when it comes to charity: he explained to economist Robert Barro, and others, that the Jubilee 2000 debt cancellation was a one-time happening and would not encourage default on future debts; so why is there still a Jubilee campaign? Because not all debt was cancelled so just like all collectivists this is a plan that can never be fulfilled so these groups will never be satisfied in their social agendas and demands. One of my favorite passages is where he says that if you believe that aid is investment, that debt burden is unjust, in other words all his liberal suppositions, then the conclusion is that Africans will be able to take charge of their own destiny. Even if you follow all his rationale the conclusions don't follow from the premises. He believes that the West's treatment of Africans is the last bastion of inequality that we allow, says that we essentially have them chained to the ground, and insinuates that it is our racism that prevents us from giving more.
Bono claims that he's tired of begging for "crumbs" from the table of the rich but he sees giving almost exclusively in terms of governments-to-government transfers. He dubiously claims that a) America is at the bottom of spending on the poorest countries and b) that even if you include private philanthropy that America is still abysmally behind. In fact, in 2006 US charitable giving was $295.02 billion, which is twice as much as the next most charitable country, according to a 2006 comparison done by the Charities Aid Foundation. As percentage of GDP the US ranks 1st with 1.7% and Great Britain is 2nd at .73%.
He admits that the Sandinistas fascinated him because they were a majority and he was seeing liberation theology in practice. He was interested in socialism that didn't attempt to put down faith and used religion to inform the people of their rights. He was exploring his pacifism too and knows that Gandhi would say it is never appropriate to take up arms. He doesn't seem to know that Gandhi advocated that the Jews surrender to the Nazis in WWII, but this is a guy who praises the character of Bill Clinton at one point.
While this book contains the clearest presentation of the Gospel by Bono in any venue it still has the smirking nonsense he is known for. What is Christianity: "My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love...and as much as I respond in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that's my religion." Who is the Gospel of Jesus Christ for: "Jesus preached the Gospels for the poor." How to interpret the Old Testament: "the Old Testament is more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects...those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend." Theological typology: "the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across as Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross." He's into deeds not creeds, spirituality and not religion. And like many of the topics outside of music, he holds sometimes interesting, sometimes quirky views but generally lacking wisdom or insight.
November 29, 2015
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff.
Assayas: I'd be interested to hear that.
Bono: That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep shit. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.
Assayas: I'd be interested to hear that.
Bono: That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep shit. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.
August 1, 2021
Uma avaliação injusta... Apesar de ser um bom livro, bem construído e que dá-nos a conhecer um Bono de diferentes perspectivas, não foi um livro que me tivesse preenchido (com muita pena minha).
November 20, 2013
I found this to be a fascinating read and thoroughly inspiring on a good number of occasions as well. I remain torn between 4 and 5 stars. My ideal would be 4.5, so I have gone for the generous option.
The interview format of the book made it different to a standard biography but worked well at creating an atmosphere of closeness to Bono, as if you were there for the conversations with them. This was especially well created by Michka's simple scene setting for many of the interviews along the way. You felt the respect and friendship between the two men demonstrated in the openness and honesty of both the questions and answers. At the end of the book I remain a great respecter of Bono and continue to commend his determination to fight for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Some favourite quotes from the book:
“It is impossible to meet God without abandon, without exposing yourself, being raw.”
“I wish to begin again on a daily basis. To be born again every day is something that I try to do. And I'm deadly serious about that.”
“Happiness is for those who don't really need it. So I can live without happiness. If that's the price of fame, good riddance! Joy, on the other hand, is not up for sale. And my joy comes from a completely different place”
“The ones whose light will remain with me long after they have burnt out are the ones that had grace. Because it's rare that the gift comes with grace. Some of the biggest arseholes I've ever met are the most gifted. Because it's "pretty girl" syndrome. Being gifted is like being born beautiful. You don't have to work a day in a year in your life for it. You were born with it. In one sense, it's like blue blood, money, gift, or beauty. They are the things that should make you the most humble, because they are not the things you have earned. They are the things you were given. Yet, it is my experience that they male people the most spoiled. And the people who work the hardest, and who have overcome the most obstacles on their life, who have reason to beat their breasts are the most humble, sometimes. I can't get over that. it's bewildering to me. To make it through success and still have manners, to still have curiosity, intellectual curiosity, to still have some grace, to keep your dignity, that is really... rare.”
“I have a room, which is in my brain, and it's very, very, very... untidy! There is stuff fallen everywhere. There are some very important ideas next to dome very silly ones. There is a bottle of wine that was opened five years ago, and there is a lunch I haven't eaten from last summer. There are faces of children who are going to die but don't have to. There's my fathers face telling me to tidy up my room. So that's what I'm doing - tidying my room.”
The interview format of the book made it different to a standard biography but worked well at creating an atmosphere of closeness to Bono, as if you were there for the conversations with them. This was especially well created by Michka's simple scene setting for many of the interviews along the way. You felt the respect and friendship between the two men demonstrated in the openness and honesty of both the questions and answers. At the end of the book I remain a great respecter of Bono and continue to commend his determination to fight for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Some favourite quotes from the book:
“It is impossible to meet God without abandon, without exposing yourself, being raw.”
“I wish to begin again on a daily basis. To be born again every day is something that I try to do. And I'm deadly serious about that.”
“Happiness is for those who don't really need it. So I can live without happiness. If that's the price of fame, good riddance! Joy, on the other hand, is not up for sale. And my joy comes from a completely different place”
“The ones whose light will remain with me long after they have burnt out are the ones that had grace. Because it's rare that the gift comes with grace. Some of the biggest arseholes I've ever met are the most gifted. Because it's "pretty girl" syndrome. Being gifted is like being born beautiful. You don't have to work a day in a year in your life for it. You were born with it. In one sense, it's like blue blood, money, gift, or beauty. They are the things that should make you the most humble, because they are not the things you have earned. They are the things you were given. Yet, it is my experience that they male people the most spoiled. And the people who work the hardest, and who have overcome the most obstacles on their life, who have reason to beat their breasts are the most humble, sometimes. I can't get over that. it's bewildering to me. To make it through success and still have manners, to still have curiosity, intellectual curiosity, to still have some grace, to keep your dignity, that is really... rare.”
“I have a room, which is in my brain, and it's very, very, very... untidy! There is stuff fallen everywhere. There are some very important ideas next to dome very silly ones. There is a bottle of wine that was opened five years ago, and there is a lunch I haven't eaten from last summer. There are faces of children who are going to die but don't have to. There's my fathers face telling me to tidy up my room. So that's what I'm doing - tidying my room.”
April 2, 2011
First, let me say that I'm not a fan of Bono or U2. I don't mean that I actively dislike them, what I do mean is that most of their songs don't grab me. Bono has bleeped on my radar more for his social justice work than anything else.
It's aimed at the fans, going to depth on Bono's thoughts on everything from politics and philosophy to the ups and downs of life in the band.
It's well-ordered and Michka Assayas asks the tough questions. Bono clearly prefers to avoid some topics, trying to go off on tangents, but much of the time, he does come around to giving an answer.
The reason I like this book so much is that it shows me that Bono embodies the principles of the foundation of Christianity — the Beatitudes (as written about in "Plan Be" by Dave Andrews) — and anyone seeking to be the best Christian they can be would do well to learn from him.
It's aimed at the fans, going to depth on Bono's thoughts on everything from politics and philosophy to the ups and downs of life in the band.
It's well-ordered and Michka Assayas asks the tough questions. Bono clearly prefers to avoid some topics, trying to go off on tangents, but much of the time, he does come around to giving an answer.
The reason I like this book so much is that it shows me that Bono embodies the principles of the foundation of Christianity — the Beatitudes (as written about in "Plan Be" by Dave Andrews) — and anyone seeking to be the best Christian they can be would do well to learn from him.
February 3, 2009
Bono is a smart, intellectual man. Sure, he can go a little overboard in hyping new U2 albums, but that doesn't mean he has a brilliant mind. His everyday words are poetic. The press loves it when he speaks because he gives fantastic soundbytes left, right and center.
All of this being said, Bono: In Conversation is a brilliant concept. It's like a biography, only it is done completely in Q&A interview format. You truly get a look inside the man's thoughts and ideas. I couldn't put it down.
All of this being said, Bono: In Conversation is a brilliant concept. It's like a biography, only it is done completely in Q&A interview format. You truly get a look inside the man's thoughts and ideas. I couldn't put it down.
September 25, 2011
A great book that is probably better than me, in that I took off a star for all the Africa-centric-ness of the last quarter. I'm fully in support of Bono's work there, and think it is inspiring to see someone doing so much for those who have so little, but at the same time, I admit my mind wanders after too long reading about debt reduction, trade, etc. The first 3/4 of the book are a bit more personal, which is more appealing to me.
July 8, 2017
If you think of Bono as a poet, rather than a rock star, then you won't be surprised at the level of introspection and insight that is revealed in this book. Granted, I think you have to be a U2 fan to enjoy it like I did, but there are interesting discussions about the music industry, poverty in the third world, and his Christian faith.
Here are a couple interesting passages:
"It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the Universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so will you sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff...I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep shit. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
"...the Christmas story. The idea that God, if there is a force of Love and Logic in the universe, that it would seek to explain itself and describe itself by becoming a child in straw poverty, in shit and straw... a child...I just thought: "Wow! Just the poetry...Unknowable love, unknowable power, describes itself as the most vulnerable. To me it makes sense. It's actually logical. It's pure logic. Essence has to manifest itself. It's inevitable. Love has to become an action or something concrete. It would have to happen. There must be an incarnation. Love must be made flesh."
Here are a couple interesting passages:
"It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the Universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so will you sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff...I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep shit. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
"...the Christmas story. The idea that God, if there is a force of Love and Logic in the universe, that it would seek to explain itself and describe itself by becoming a child in straw poverty, in shit and straw... a child...I just thought: "Wow! Just the poetry...Unknowable love, unknowable power, describes itself as the most vulnerable. To me it makes sense. It's actually logical. It's pure logic. Essence has to manifest itself. It's inevitable. Love has to become an action or something concrete. It would have to happen. There must be an incarnation. Love must be made flesh."
September 24, 2024
If i was to rate this book on only the subject matter, it would be 6 stars. I love Bono and love him even more after getting to know him through this book.
However, I'm going to rate based on the author and how he tried to structure this "biography". Maybe I'm old fashioned, but a biography to me should just have a start to end flow, like a person's life. (And maybe I misunderstood the intention of this book and it was never meant to be a biography.) This author seemed to want to do something different because we jumped all over the place. Also, most of the conversations were political. I get that that is a big component of who Bono is, but it just seemed to drone on. Like, I eventually skipped pages because it got boring. Not to mention, I didn't know a lot about who or what they were even talking about.
I also don't know if this is how Bono requested the book to be. Like, maybe there were topics he said were off limits. I was just disappointed that they really never talked much about how the band got together, and they didn't talk much about his wife or his family. Like after reading this, I couldn't tell you how many children Bono has. We definitely got a glimpse of his early childhood and the impact of his relationship of his father. Otherwise, most of the book was just philosophies and opinions on how Bono sees the world.
However, I'm going to rate based on the author and how he tried to structure this "biography". Maybe I'm old fashioned, but a biography to me should just have a start to end flow, like a person's life. (And maybe I misunderstood the intention of this book and it was never meant to be a biography.) This author seemed to want to do something different because we jumped all over the place. Also, most of the conversations were political. I get that that is a big component of who Bono is, but it just seemed to drone on. Like, I eventually skipped pages because it got boring. Not to mention, I didn't know a lot about who or what they were even talking about.
I also don't know if this is how Bono requested the book to be. Like, maybe there were topics he said were off limits. I was just disappointed that they really never talked much about how the band got together, and they didn't talk much about his wife or his family. Like after reading this, I couldn't tell you how many children Bono has. We definitely got a glimpse of his early childhood and the impact of his relationship of his father. Otherwise, most of the book was just philosophies and opinions on how Bono sees the world.
September 9, 2017
I loved this book. Which is saying something, because there was many a time when the interviewer, a French music journalist and long-time friend of Bono's, really got on my nerves. He's like that grumpy guest at the dinner party who constantly asks the host awkward and invasive questions in front of everybody. But in the end, those questions are precisely what got Bono talking, which is why the format of this book works so much better than your typical celebrity memoir.
August 30, 2007
this review first appeared on [http://intraspace.blogspot.com]
for a long time i've held a kind of ambition to meet bono. i guess that is a fairly cliche ambition, but there it is. a wave of excitement swept through new zealand a few months ago - U2 were returning after about 12 years of absence. people went crazy paying amazing prices for tickets on internet auction sites, queued through the night, and spent hours trying to buy tickets online. in the event, for now we have all been treated to a stunning display of anti-climax. the tour was postponed, and for a very good reason - one of the band members had a sick relative (the edge's daughter?).
part of my build-up to the concert was reading this book. anna gave it to me for my birthday, a couple of weeks before the st patricks day concert. so, in lieu of the certainty of actually ever sitting down with bono and having the kind of conversation that takes days (or even decades) to complete and understand, michka assayas steps into the gap. and can i say right now, this book most definitely makes its way to the top of the pile of books on U2 or bono you should ever bother reading. bono, that man of mystery, is best revealed through his own words. not that that makes him any more straightforward - he describes himself as "a scribbling, cigar-smoking, wine-drinking, Bible-reading band man..." our friend alex, who's also reading the book said, "I'’m kind of surprised, impressed and disappointed in Bono'’s character all at the same time".
and so there he is. we all look for heroes - people who embody the ideal of what we believe. and after years of holding bono up as a hero (i've called U2 my favourite band since i was about 7) i'm learning to see him, and others, as people - complicated, flawed and open to acts of incredible stupidity and goodness. when you see that, you become more honest about yourself too i guess. so now i try to see bono as being bono, or better yet, paul hewson. and every time recently i've been tempted to see one of my heroes or friends as somehow removed from the harsh realities and complexities of life, the failings of humanity, the pitfalls of life, i think of biblical characters like king david - a shocking sinner and a man after God's own heart... crucially, david always admitted when he was wrong and developed some kind of real relationship with God, all the while acknowledging God as the higher authority. he was a man who undoubtedly knew the meaning of grace. and so, it seems, is bono.
as a christian i would have asked bono a different set of questions to those that michka assayas asked, and to be honest sometimes the conversation seems to get a little too hot in the spiritual kitchen for assayas, which can be a little frustrating. i found that conversations about bono's political involvements got a bit tiring, but i guess that's where things are at in his life.
anyway, this book is pretty addictive, the conversation style draws you in. this is easily one of the most crucial books (if not most crucial) on bono available. i hope there is another one in 10-20 years.
for a long time i've held a kind of ambition to meet bono. i guess that is a fairly cliche ambition, but there it is. a wave of excitement swept through new zealand a few months ago - U2 were returning after about 12 years of absence. people went crazy paying amazing prices for tickets on internet auction sites, queued through the night, and spent hours trying to buy tickets online. in the event, for now we have all been treated to a stunning display of anti-climax. the tour was postponed, and for a very good reason - one of the band members had a sick relative (the edge's daughter?).
part of my build-up to the concert was reading this book. anna gave it to me for my birthday, a couple of weeks before the st patricks day concert. so, in lieu of the certainty of actually ever sitting down with bono and having the kind of conversation that takes days (or even decades) to complete and understand, michka assayas steps into the gap. and can i say right now, this book most definitely makes its way to the top of the pile of books on U2 or bono you should ever bother reading. bono, that man of mystery, is best revealed through his own words. not that that makes him any more straightforward - he describes himself as "a scribbling, cigar-smoking, wine-drinking, Bible-reading band man..." our friend alex, who's also reading the book said, "I'’m kind of surprised, impressed and disappointed in Bono'’s character all at the same time".
and so there he is. we all look for heroes - people who embody the ideal of what we believe. and after years of holding bono up as a hero (i've called U2 my favourite band since i was about 7) i'm learning to see him, and others, as people - complicated, flawed and open to acts of incredible stupidity and goodness. when you see that, you become more honest about yourself too i guess. so now i try to see bono as being bono, or better yet, paul hewson. and every time recently i've been tempted to see one of my heroes or friends as somehow removed from the harsh realities and complexities of life, the failings of humanity, the pitfalls of life, i think of biblical characters like king david - a shocking sinner and a man after God's own heart... crucially, david always admitted when he was wrong and developed some kind of real relationship with God, all the while acknowledging God as the higher authority. he was a man who undoubtedly knew the meaning of grace. and so, it seems, is bono.
as a christian i would have asked bono a different set of questions to those that michka assayas asked, and to be honest sometimes the conversation seems to get a little too hot in the spiritual kitchen for assayas, which can be a little frustrating. i found that conversations about bono's political involvements got a bit tiring, but i guess that's where things are at in his life.
anyway, this book is pretty addictive, the conversation style draws you in. this is easily one of the most crucial books (if not most crucial) on bono available. i hope there is another one in 10-20 years.
May 17, 2025
This was an interesting read. I do think Bono might be better with a more structured environment with these types of things, but then again, it is cool to hear (or read in this case) more of what’s going on in his brain that is probably a little less filtered. Yes, he occasionally said corny or tone deaf things that can be off-putting, but I also know that they were things that he’s likely continuously growing with and open to learning about.
It’s funny that people drag him all the time for being a narcissist or a megalomaniac, but in all the interviews I’ve watched and read of him, he has got to be the most self-aware, self-effacing, and empathetic narcissist I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t know….doesn’t really add up to all of the accusations. He even points out (often) when he thinks he’s being more “megalomaniacal” (not even kidding he uses megalomaniac specifically) and self-involved. Like hello?! Can he be pretentious and corny sometimes? Of course! He’s definitely not the sociopathic, self-serving, narcissist that everyone makes him out to be, though, but everyone loves dunking on Bono and U2, so what are you gonna do?
Bono was deep into “Activist Mode” during these chats. He had just lost his dad as well, and I could really feel his frustration and anger at points. He was definitely working through it all. I do wish he would have gone more into working with the band at the time of these interviews and maybe how he was feeling more, but he was a lot more guarded at that point, so I think he felt safer and better when he could channel everything into talking about his work with DATA and Pepfar. He made it pretty clear he was uncomfortable with being too vulnerable when talking about his dad.
I can’t help but dwell on how he must be feeling with everything going on and USAID being drastically slashed and Pepfar hanging in limbo right now. I think about it a lot, and my heart breaks for him and all the people who helped make it happen in the first place. He spent so much time and anguish working to get it done. It was one of the single greatest humanitarian efforts achieved to date, and now, it’ll likely be gone or gutted so much that it might as well be. My heart also breaks for all the people who depend on it and for the future of medical science. We were right on the precipice of amazing medical breakthroughs that were going to change so many lives for the better. A vaccine for HIV. That’s incredible!
Bono gave a recent interview, and I don’t have to wonder as much because he confirms what I assumed: “In terms of the evisceration of USAID and Pepfar, unkind is not the word to describe it – it’s murderous.” He’s angry, and I get it, so am I.
One big negative about this book is sometimes the author/interviewer would say and ask some real boomer BS that was incredibly annoying. He’s not even a boomer either, so I don’t know what his problem is. Like when he wanted to just “play the devil’s advocate…” Bro, you don’t need to do that. The devil doesn’t need an advocate. Why are you defending or rationalizing for people that you don’t even know and will never meet?! Let’s not!
It’s funny that people drag him all the time for being a narcissist or a megalomaniac, but in all the interviews I’ve watched and read of him, he has got to be the most self-aware, self-effacing, and empathetic narcissist I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t know….doesn’t really add up to all of the accusations. He even points out (often) when he thinks he’s being more “megalomaniacal” (not even kidding he uses megalomaniac specifically) and self-involved. Like hello?! Can he be pretentious and corny sometimes? Of course! He’s definitely not the sociopathic, self-serving, narcissist that everyone makes him out to be, though, but everyone loves dunking on Bono and U2, so what are you gonna do?
Bono was deep into “Activist Mode” during these chats. He had just lost his dad as well, and I could really feel his frustration and anger at points. He was definitely working through it all. I do wish he would have gone more into working with the band at the time of these interviews and maybe how he was feeling more, but he was a lot more guarded at that point, so I think he felt safer and better when he could channel everything into talking about his work with DATA and Pepfar. He made it pretty clear he was uncomfortable with being too vulnerable when talking about his dad.
I can’t help but dwell on how he must be feeling with everything going on and USAID being drastically slashed and Pepfar hanging in limbo right now. I think about it a lot, and my heart breaks for him and all the people who helped make it happen in the first place. He spent so much time and anguish working to get it done. It was one of the single greatest humanitarian efforts achieved to date, and now, it’ll likely be gone or gutted so much that it might as well be. My heart also breaks for all the people who depend on it and for the future of medical science. We were right on the precipice of amazing medical breakthroughs that were going to change so many lives for the better. A vaccine for HIV. That’s incredible!
Bono gave a recent interview, and I don’t have to wonder as much because he confirms what I assumed: “In terms of the evisceration of USAID and Pepfar, unkind is not the word to describe it – it’s murderous.” He’s angry, and I get it, so am I.
One big negative about this book is sometimes the author/interviewer would say and ask some real boomer BS that was incredibly annoying. He’s not even a boomer either, so I don’t know what his problem is. Like when he wanted to just “play the devil’s advocate…” Bro, you don’t need to do that. The devil doesn’t need an advocate. Why are you defending or rationalizing for people that you don’t even know and will never meet?! Let’s not!
October 22, 2011
My husband introduced me to the music of U2 in the mid-80s and I've been a fan ever since. I wasn't sure what to expect from reading this book. Usually, conversations with rock stars aren't that fulfilling to read. This book was a wonderful surprise. It is written as conversations between Bono and a musical journalist named Michka Assayas.. who, as it turned out, is also a friend. They speak about his family... the death of his mother when he was 14, his father and their complicated relationship,and his relationships with the other members of the band. They talk about the music of U2. But the parts that I found most interesting and which allowed me to get a glimpse of the person behind the rock star were the conversations about his spirituality and I learned that I could relate to him in many ways regarding that. His spirituality is very complicated and he is on the journey, it seems, to discover what is true for him.
I knew a little about the activism he has been engaged in for years and this was a topic which was discussed at length also. I have admired his ability to 'put his money where his mouth is' and actually try to do some good in this world in which there are people who need so much. Although Bono seems to be a bit pretentious at times (understandable, I suppose), I found this to be a very enjoyable book to read. He was thoughtful and sincere in his answers to some pretty tough questions.
I knew a little about the activism he has been engaged in for years and this was a topic which was discussed at length also. I have admired his ability to 'put his money where his mouth is' and actually try to do some good in this world in which there are people who need so much. Although Bono seems to be a bit pretentious at times (understandable, I suppose), I found this to be a very enjoyable book to read. He was thoughtful and sincere in his answers to some pretty tough questions.
February 28, 2023
o Bono é uma pessoa muito interessante, todos nós sabemos disso. o livro está muito bem construído, no caso a ideia de Assayas foi espetacular, mas os assuntos abordados aborreceram-me (no caso religião e política).
July 28, 2011
It's hard to communicate how thoroughly I appreciated this book. My wife (or was it my mother-in-law?) bought it for me about six years ago, but I didn't read it till the week before I saw U2's last US stop on their 360 tour, in Pittsburgh. Having just read up on Bono's theology, his philosophy of art, his political philosophy, his memories of thirty years with the band, I was set up for a particularly immersive concert experience. Bono reflects repeatedly on the "moral force" of the issues he's bringing before world leaders on behalf of the voiceless, and he leans heavily on the idea of a closed but not locked door being openable with the right push. You understand freshly how participatory/inclusive the band has been throughout its career, why they wish crew members and world leaders alike happy birthday from the stage. Bono is a collaborationist, an appreciative artist, a faith-full friend. If you like the band, read the book; if you wonder what the deal is with this rock-star activist, read the book. If you're tired of Jesus making an appearance in U2s lyrics so often, read the book; at least you'll understand why he invokes Jesus so much.
June 28, 2013
It's not often I write about a book I have read but this one is extraordinary. After having a 'love affair' with Bono and U2 over the years I now know why. Bono (and The Edge) are very spiritual people in the best way. If Bono had been the priest at my church in my youth I may still be attending because he speaks of the faith, the charity and the faults that we as humans should have as a part of our life. Not fire and brimstone and hatred. His own inner beliefs are laid out for all to see - the good, the bad, and the ugly. He talks about life as a rock star, a businessman and a charity organizer (on a huge scale).
There are shared memories of his adventures amongst some of the most highly respected people worldwide in politics and the arts and of the starving and the sick in Africa and other parts of the world.
His work, it seems, is never done as he continues quietly and without fanfare every week to right the wrongs - mass starvation, aids epidemics, etc.
Bono's dialogue keeps you thinking the whole time. Love it!
There are shared memories of his adventures amongst some of the most highly respected people worldwide in politics and the arts and of the starving and the sick in Africa and other parts of the world.
His work, it seems, is never done as he continues quietly and without fanfare every week to right the wrongs - mass starvation, aids epidemics, etc.
Bono's dialogue keeps you thinking the whole time. Love it!
June 9, 2019
Bono comes across as a genuinely good person in this book. Try as he might, the interviewer is unable to get him to spill on people with whom he's interacted. The few times Bono says negative things about people he keeps them anonymous.
His deep and abiding faith is evident throughout the book, and especially in the chapter entitled Add Eternity to That. Bono ends this chapter with the suggestion that it should be entitled, "For those not interested in God, please pass by". In it he shares a powerful witness of his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
In a time when cynicism rules, when dishing dirt on others is the norm, when religion is regularly mocked in the public square, it is refreshing to find a celebrity who unabashedly embraces treating others as he would be treated, who finds the good in people with whom he disagrees, and who is unapologetic about his religious faith.
His deep and abiding faith is evident throughout the book, and especially in the chapter entitled Add Eternity to That. Bono ends this chapter with the suggestion that it should be entitled, "For those not interested in God, please pass by". In it he shares a powerful witness of his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
In a time when cynicism rules, when dishing dirt on others is the norm, when religion is regularly mocked in the public square, it is refreshing to find a celebrity who unabashedly embraces treating others as he would be treated, who finds the good in people with whom he disagrees, and who is unapologetic about his religious faith.
August 23, 2011
I've spent a long time reading this book of interviews with Bono. I found it really enlightening in a spiritual sense-- something I didn't expect. I've always admired the man so it's really nice to read about his faith, his love of family, and his conflicting desire to be both a rock star and to save the world. I do admit, however, that the first 3/4 of the book is more interesting than the last quarter. I don't necessarily blame Bono for this, though. The author focused more on the personal early on in the book and by the last half, the talk was mostly of politics, Africa, and debt reduction. Now, don't get me wrong, those are important topics but it's not really interesting to have all those conversations lumped together.
Overall, I enjoyed the book a great deal. It gave me insight into Bono's faith and also made me consider aspects of my own spirituality.
Overall, I enjoyed the book a great deal. It gave me insight into Bono's faith and also made me consider aspects of my own spirituality.
June 8, 2017
I like U2, though I am not a huge fan (I have War, The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in my collection), but I have great admiration for the way that Bono has used or at least attempted to use his celebrity to raise awareness and challenge world leaders to give a fig and do something, for Christ's sake, about the plight of the many poor and downtrodden in the world. I read this book, now somewhat dated, on a lark with low expectations, but found the verbal sword play between Bono and his interlocutor to be surprisingly engaging. He is a thoughtful fellow, a shrewd observer of popular culture and an equally shrewd businessman, but throughout this book he also comes off as fundamentally decent and grounded in reality and a faith informed by better angels than most overt believers can boast.
July 10, 2011
After seeing the U2 360 Chicago concert, I was curious to understand Bono. Who is he? What inspires him? How did he move from fledgling Irish pub band singer to international rock star and humanitarian?
Presented in magazine interview format, this book is a very intimate look at Bono's life, his beliefs, world politics, music history and how they all shaped the man and his continuing mission. Many passages are deep and moving. You can't help but be in awe of the artist who has experienced so much, sought meaning in all that he has seen and his ability to fully mine his gift of words. I only wish the book had been written in 2011 instead of 2005 so that I could learn more about his thoughts on more recent pursuits and current events.
Presented in magazine interview format, this book is a very intimate look at Bono's life, his beliefs, world politics, music history and how they all shaped the man and his continuing mission. Many passages are deep and moving. You can't help but be in awe of the artist who has experienced so much, sought meaning in all that he has seen and his ability to fully mine his gift of words. I only wish the book had been written in 2011 instead of 2005 so that I could learn more about his thoughts on more recent pursuits and current events.
October 11, 2007
What I found profound about this interview with Bono is how comfortable he is with who he is and how it has allowed him to transcend any boundaries or obstacles. It's very, very philosophical about life, values and spirituality. To refuse to read it because you don't like U2 is misguided. To read it because you want a history of U2 is also misguided. (It really isn't about U2.)
September 10, 2010
This book did not disappoint--this is a celebrity who takes his causes very seriously and knows a lot about them, enough to debate with and influence some of the most powerful politicians in the world, all from the perspective of a strong Irish tenacity and faith. There's great insight into U2's music, too.
August 5, 2007
A rare look into the life of Bono. He has said that talking with Michka Assayas for this book was like therapy for him. His insights are open and shed light on both his political and personal life. He comes across as so much more than just a rockstar...but then we knew that already didn't we!
January 11, 2015
I found it very interesting and insightful, although it's an older book (2004)it has a lot of relevance today, when it comes to foreign aid for Africa, etc. I would love to know his thoughts about the time since then...
October 12, 2018
This one is definitely for hardcore U2 fans. I'm not sure if it would be interesting to anyone else. Rather than a strict, linear biography, music journalist Michka Assayas conducts a series of wide ranging interviews with the Irish band's lead singer. They discuss God, religion, aid to Africa, and Bono's childhood growing up in Dublin. There is very little here about the music, and band dynamics are barely touched upon. Assayas is a friend of the singer, and although he asks some tough, journalism questions, the portrait is mostly glowing. I would have liked to know more about the writing and formation of my favorite U2 songs. Perhaps those stories are in another book. They were not in this one.
January 23, 2020
I am a U2 fan, and a huge admirer of Bono Vox so for me this was an easy read. I wanted to know more about him, his personality and his thought process, and this book helped me understand him more. He is an intellectual and he is always intellectually challenged which is impressive. I am grateful for his existence, because he is the living showcase what one person can achieve not just for himself but others as well. His involvement in Africa and charity over the years is very moving and after reading this book I understand more his point of view. I think that he is strongly passionate about politics as well, and I think he could be a great politician.
And I want to thank Michka Assayas for doing these interviews over such a long period of time. Impressive work!
And I want to thank Michka Assayas for doing these interviews over such a long period of time. Impressive work!
April 11, 2021
This. Was. So. Good. Love the conversation style. Lots of challenging questions about spirituality, celebrity and fame and Bono’s activism over the years. It provides an education on the political and social activism Bono embraces. More scripture references than I could have imagined. I think Bono reads and studies the Bible more than many I know and shares the Gospel in a way I envy. Also so many deep and wise “truth bombs” (quotes from Bono) that moved me and made me want to remember them. At times I did feel the author repeated some questions and a couple times felt like it was long and the political stuff in other countries would go over my head...so a 4.5 out of 5 stars is a bit more accurate...but loved it and glad to have read it.
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