Bono: Saint and Sinner

by Mick Wall

From his childhood in Dublin, to his superstardom, to his emergence as one of the world's great here is the story of Bono. Not only is Bono a crucial element in the most dazzlingly inventive band since the Beatles, he is also the most overtly politicized rock superstar since John Lennon, and the biggest espouser of interracial harmony and spiritual "one love" since Bob Marley. He is also one of the very few major rock artists to open up about his deepest spiritual beliefs, his religion, both in interview and in song, and not be despised for it, or thought less of.

As a result, though it was for U2's music, pure and simple, that the name Bono first became famous, the vast international reach he now enjoys has to do with more than mere rock stardom. It's to do with the huge social responsibility he has decided comes with it. With a long history of campaigning behind him—from the movingly rousing "Sunday Bloody Sunday" to the moment he phoned Bill Clinton live on-stage as images of war-ravaged Sarajevo flashed across giant screens behind him—politics and rock 'n' roll have always been linked in Bono's mind.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

356 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2004

About the author

Mick Wall is an author, journalist, film, television and radio writer-producer, who’s worked inside the music industry for over 35 years. He began his career contributing to the music weekly Sounds in 1977, where he wrote about punk and the new wave, and then rockabilly, funk, New Romantic pop and, eventually, hard rock and heavy metal. By 1983, Wall become one of the main journalists in the early days of Kerrang! magazine, where he was their star cover story writer for the next nine years. He subsequently became the founding editor of Classic Rock magazine in 1998, and presented his own television and radio shows.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given that I've followed the band since I was about 13 years old, and likewise have read about a dozen books on Bono and the boys already, this volume didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.

Decent for U2 newbies (is there such a thing?) but something the card-carrying fans may want to skip.

[Karen Sakariasen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I genuinely enjoyed this book, it was a pleasure to read, I feel it read a bit like an essay.
It was full of information and facts, as well as entertaining quotes. I just wish it had had a bit more substance, more personality.

[Rohit Kunal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good one on Bono. This one mostly deals with the musical journey, though occassionally his personal life is shown. But mostly it's the musical life that he spent. If you're a Bono and/or U2 fan, you should read this to know how he climbed up that ladder, sometimes with his hands in his pocket.

[Ed Zaremba · Rating 3 out of 5]

U2 was not a band that was even on my radar until a niece in the family turned me on to "Joshua Tree." After that, I was hooked! Contrary to other readers comments, I'm very familiar with U2's music, but know nothing about the band members (except for Bono's political & social doings).So it was with great interest that I wanted to read this book. And to be honest, I was a little disappointed - there was much about the band musically (music, albums & concert tours), but not much about them personally.

[Adam Kovynia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was enjoyable to read. it ends off around the year 2005 and there are several pages of photos as well. It's a book that's friendly towards Bono and U2, it doesn't get into anything negative towards them as some biographies do.

[Ash Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this was a great starting point in trying to learn the history of U2, (book goes up until 2005). I learned a whole lot, but I also came into it not knowing a whole lot about the band besides the fact that I love their music. I think that for a seasoned U2 fan, this would probably be a boring read with a lot of surface information.

Also, the title leads you to believe that it’s about Bono, himself, and it is, but it’s mainly a U2 biography, (which I personally liked, but others may not be looking for).

Besides the music, it went into much of his political and humanitarian work, including that of the bands’ as well. Probably the least amount of the book was on his personal life, but I also think that would be the way Bono would want it, as he has always been a fairly private man.

I liked it! Nothing jumped out at me as particularly amazing or super well done about this biography, but it did hold my attention all the way through & as an un-educated U2 fan, I did learn quite a bit, myself.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎵 4 Stars Maybe not for the book alone... but for the feeling

Okay, full disclosure: I’ve loved U2 since I was 12. That moment you first fall into music and realise it can be an escape? That was me, and Bono’s voice was the one leading the way. His lilting tone, the hope in those lyrics, and the band’s raw sound gave me a glimpse of something outside my own darkness. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Reading Bono by Mick Wall felt like catching up with a familiar friend… who maybe just repeats the same stories you already know, but you let them talk anyway because nostalgia makes it sound better. I enjoyed the read, but as a seasoned U2 fan, there wasn’t a whole lot of new ground. It’s less “deep dive” and more “Spotify bio with bonus adjectives.”

So yes, my 4 stars? They’re probably for the music. For the escape. For the 12-year-old me in headphones, believing there had to be more out there. Maybe that’s biased. Maybe that’s not the purest reason to rate a book.

Shame on me. But also... have you heard With or Without You? Case closed. 😌🎤

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the biographical info about Bono, but the writing was very hard to follow with run-on sentences and disjointed thoughts.