READ THIS: U2 The Stories Behind Every U2 Song by Niall Stokes

Sometimes when we review books, we are looking at a greater idea, or reading a novel, or even telling you what we think of a cookbook.  However, in this case, it is much different because our love for U2 has been years in the making and so this work of art is somewhat of a bible of discovery for us: literally from the first page to the last every single U2 song is deciphered, answering every question we had.  Even the singles and B sides are covered at the conclusion.  The only way this would be better would be if we were actually sitting in a room with Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry chatting with them.  (If any of you are reading this, do contact Peachy next time you are in Manhattan!)


From a Whom You Know perspective, here is what is important:
*New York is on page 145
*Pages 176-177 show U2 with their signs "U2 Way," which was an area near Times Square named for them


Written by Niall Stokes, Editor of the Hot Press in Dublin, someone who has known U2 from the very beginning, we like how this book is chronological, organized and detail-oriented.  He says in the introduction that he lives, eats and sleeps the music.  (We do that anyway.)  There is beauty in each song itself but the real beauty is seeing the evolution of U2 from album to album and to see how they were influenced: some themes remain constant such as Bono's clear love for Ali Hewson but some themes transform the band as it successfully reinvents itself time after time.  We think perhaps only Madonna has been able to reinvent herself as successfully over similar eras, but to do it as a group is likely to be a more admirable feat. 


An amazing accomplishment by Niall Stokes and Carlton Press, and of course, U2~!  Whom You Know strongly recommends  U2 The Stories Behind Every U2 Song by Niall Stokes.


***

U2 fans who want material on the band but “still haven’t found what they’re looking for” will welcome this song-by-song volume. This definitive new book features original and revealing interviews with the group, plus key people close to them. It not only traces U2’s meteoric rise to fame, but explores the background and inspiration behind every song written by the band. A full analysis of U2’s long-awaited new albumNo Line on the Horizon makes up the last main chapter.  

Niall Stokes is the founder and Editor of Hot Press, Ireland’s bible of rock ’n’ roll and current affairs. He has also edited two best-selling books on U2, The U2 File and U2: Three Chords and the Truth. He has been translated into Russian, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French, German, Dutch, and Swedish. He lives in London.

Publisher: Carlton Books
Published: October 2009

192 pages
ISBN: 1-84732-287-5
ISBN13: 9781847322876
$14.95 US
$19.50 Canadian
Flexibound
100 color & b/w photos
5 1/2 X 7 3/4
Carton Quantity: 40
Territory: US/Can