ImOuttaControl

I've recently come to the conclusion that U2 by U2 is mainly crap. For a band still relevant and in the mainstream and whose story isn't yet finished, is a book like this not a little premature?

I bought the book right when it came out and was first excited to see the format copied from The Beatles Anthology. The only difference between the Beatles book and U2 by U2 is that the Beatles Anthology is actually interesting.

If I'm gonna nitpick, they don't even know their own history at times! I love the part where edge says that Acrobat never became a live favorite....ummm...is that because it was never played live?

Another annoyance of the book is the fact that U2 seem like they have a self esteem issue about anything POP related. Rather than tell anything insightful or even interesting, most of U2's comments about this era are "it was a good idea that never really became a great song."

U2 At The End of the World was a great book, full of interesting, fun stories but mixed with the serious side of U2. I think U2 by U2 shows a pretty dry, boring version of U2.

What could have saved this book?

Time--U2's story is not complete. Maybe if they'd waited a few years...I mean, how can you put an album that's only been out a couple of years into perspective?

Interviews-- They should have included the people who've made U2 who they are, such as Willie Williams, Eno, Lanios, Flood, Lillywhite...heck I would even love to hear Thomas's take on recording with U2 for HTDAAB. This in and of itself would have given the book a much greater perspective and allowed some outside opinion; much like the Beatles Anthology included George Martin, Derek Taylor...etc. Their perspectives are as much fun to read as those of the actual band members.

Anyway, time for me to shelve U2 by U2...hopefully in 10 years there will be a revised edition that includes the many "5th members" of U2.

digitize

Ahh... it sounds to me like you are simply looking for faults in the book.

ImOuttaControl

No, I tried to like it...I bought it the day it came out and it's been read cover to cover...I just finally come to the conclusion that, in my opinion, it's crap.

They've lived such fascinating lives...this book is like the watered down, semi-history... For comparison, read The Beatles Anthology(the format that U2 copied for their book). The good, bad and ugly was included, and it made the read much more interesting.

As I already said, U2 at the End of the World gave much better insight into the history, psychology, and personality of the band members.

Screwtape2

I think U2 by U2 is a great, holy grail type book for some people while for others it is a mixed bag or less. In the end, that's because people wanted different things. The original poster wanted better stories like those found in previous books. I personally wanted more behind the scenes information of albums and songs.

What you end up getting is a biography with some revisionist history which in the end is what most autobiographies end up having. In my opinion, that's not very good reading because Bono is the only member interesting enough for a biography.

The music and the influences are what is really interesting. The most disappointing thing about the book for me was how little they actually talked about the making of the albums and songs. I don't think you can put that on the band. The questions and ques were pretty boring based on the responses.

Moser

I found U2 by U2 very interesting. I read it in a few days.

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ImOuttaControl

You said it better than I was able to put it...my sentiments exactly.

I wanted those behind the scenes type things...I would have loved to hear the perspective of producers and those in U2's inner circle. And yes, I also would have like to hear a bit more of the "darker side" the boozing period where they were hangin with supermodels and presidents alike.

LemonMelon

I very much enjoyed it. It wasn't particularly dark, nor was it highly critical of the band's work, but I find hearing about their spiritual life and inspiration for writing the songs very interesting. That's just me. Like Screwtape2 said, it's all about what you came in wanting/expecting that will dictate your opinion of the book.

Rachel D.

I like it mostly the way it is. It would be boring if they just talked about how they made the albums and I'm glad they didn't get into too much technical detail with how they do that stuff. And, if they talked to other people that work(ed) with the band, the it wouldn't be U2 by U2, would it? If you want people other than the band talking about different things, then you should read U2 Show.

I think they put out the book (and U2 18) in 2006 rather than later was because it was their 30th anniversary of becoming a band. That's a pretty good point to stop and reflect a little, if you ask me. And I don't get why some people are so disappointed that there's not more "dirt." We're talking about U2, you know; they aren't exactly known for that kind of thing and probably wouldn't want to reveal anything shocking while they're still a band.

As LemonMelon stated, I also enjoyed reading about their spirituality and the meanings of songs from the band members themselves.

intedomine

I think the problem is that they seemed to have a disproportionate amount of content for each era.

Not enough 90's content.

U2 76-86 seems to be the entire first half of the book, while the second half is 86-05

david

Uhm, U2 by U2 was great. The book about them released in 1987 called Unforgettable Fire was too soon and kind of crap and really premature.

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The more of these I drink the more Bono makes sense.. - Bean from the KROQ Breakfast with U2.

bonocomet

I agree here. I think what went into their telling of their story was what is important to them, not necessarily everyone else. Maybe those "dark" times they don't find as meaningful to themselves, but it's the "spiritual" stuff that they felt was important to their story.
And I liked all the pretty pictures.

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last unicorn

U2 by U2 is a U2 autobiography, it's the band telling their story. There are other books who give "behind the scenes" look or that are about the people and production surrounding U2, their albums and their concerts. This one is a more intimate book and focuses on the history of the band as seen by the band. It's a great, beautiful, insightful, also funny book and it's exactly what I expected it to be. I also found it very sincere. Just because they say something in the book that doesn't fit someone's opinion - e. g. about Pop - it doesn't mean they shouldn't say it that way, because that's obviously how they feel about it. The book isn't bad just because your expectations were different or because you wanted U2 to say other things, it's not the book's fault.

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DevilsShoes

I don't think U2 by U2's a mistake, I think its a great read, one of the very best books on the band, up there with End of the World and U2 Live. For a band so reluctant to discuss the past, I found it fascinating.

For years Bono was unable to really appreciate the work they did in the eighties, feeling that the lyrics were half-baked or that he was singing in too high a key and sounded like a girl, he's finally been able to put all that to rest and see its strengths and I think he is really proud of that whole era now. Its also great to hear his thoughts on the songs he wrote when he was a much younger man.

Some of the stories I'd never heard before whilst others were presented in much more detail, like the bands early experiences of touring, the pressures of huge fame, the confusion they felt at the end of the eighties, the lack of the direction in the mid nineties and the personal issues surrounding the Vertigo tour.

Maybe it was a bit premature, but you never know, we might get a updated version one day.

The Sad Punk

It's okay. That's really all I can say about it. It gets some jobs done, it doesn't get to others. I wasn't expecting too much.

I didn't think there was enough 76-86!

Aardvark747

I liked it. Though it bugs me how I paid £35 for something so huge that it doesnt fit on any shelf, and the other day I saw it for a fiver in HMV in a new "squashed down comfortable bookshelf" size.