U2 by U2

Big book with lots of photos!

U2 by U2 is everything a fan would love. I've been an avid fan for over 20 years, since July 13, 1985 (true fans will know what took place on that date). This book gives the insight I've always wanted about this wonderful group of musicians. U2 by U2 gives the story behind every song from their viewpoint (unlike "U2, the Story Behind Every Song", a book which was not from the band's viewpoint). This book delves deep into the elements that formulated each song. Whenever I listen to music, I always think of the mindset of the band and the way the song developed that led to its recording. U2 by U2 answered every question I ever had about U2's work, and I enjoyed it immensely. The band members revealed their human side in their extensive personal writings, and I fell more in love with them as a group having read this book. The pictures in the book surpass any I have ever seen, including the pictures contained in Anton Corbjin's book, U2 & i. This book is a must have for every U2 fan. ~Joanne

I can't express enough how GLAD I am to own this book. The photographs are exceptional and personal, and the band members open and up front about their (very) humble beginnings, all the way to stardom... which doesn't impress them much. It is the perfect Time for this book. The Band's willingness to put together this volume is a gift to the millions of us who have been touched by the greatest rock band in all the history of rock 'n' roll.

If anyone here owns the Beatles Anthology companion book to the TV series/CD's, this isn't much different. The story is "written" by the band, quotes culled from over 150 hours of interviews done for Neil McCormick. Every phase of the band's career, from it's earliest days straight through to "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" is told solely through quotes from each band member, making this is as definitive, brutally honest, unflinching and uncompromising a book on the band as we'll ever see. These aren't moments plagiarized from magazine articles or other books, but personal recollections. The pictures were taken from the band's personal archives. As much as there is to read here there's just as much to look at. You can honestly say, "I have NEVER seen this shot before" over and over again. This is a beautifully laid out book. Moreso than any other book on U2, this book can be accurately described in two words: "definitive" and "essential". The band has the last word on it's personal history and here it is. Now If only there were a Beatles Anthology style DVD set on U2 to go along with this....

This book is a mind-blower for even the most fervent U2 fan. Read all the other books on the group? Well, this one adds to everything you already know about them, plus takes it to all-new levels and truly lets the fan inside U2's circle. The text is all written by the bandmembers themselves (and Mr. McGuinness, of course), and what comes through is an epic story of 4 humble, generous, talented -- and very different -- individuals who came together and jelled into a searching, spiritual (and occasionally stumbling) supergroup that has found a way to soar. The best aspect of the self-narrative by Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam is the great depth of feeling and respect for each other that comes through -- whether it's Adam and Larry discussing the bond they have on stage, or Edge expressing protectiveness of Bono in the face of myths that have grown up around him and how they make him (Bono) vulnerable. On top of all this is the incredible wealth of photos that span U2's great career. There's just tons of great stuff here. I loved the books on U2 by Flanagan, Corbin, Stockman, et al, but this one is far and away the best. It's like really, TRULY meeting the band for the first time. Wow.....wow.

Owning this book is literally like owning their history. The pictures are just beyond amazing. Every U2 picture you've ever seen do NO justice to how beautiful and charming these four men really are. Page after page after page reveals a facet to their lives with new, never-before-seen views into their past with humorous commentary to go with it. Just when you thought you'd seen and heard everything about U2... oh no my friend, you ain't seen NOTHIN' yet. Definitely a must-have for die-hard fans!