U2 : At the End of the World

Rating:
Summary: awesome
Review: Rabid U2 bias aside, Mr. Flanagan has written a book of ambitious scope, from God, to Bono as Devil/Macphisto; and carried it off. Why is U2 no longer the Biggest Band In The World? Flanagan will explain. The sheer effort of a 2-year world tour, whether you are Plant, Page or Pink Floyd, is explained. Along the way, you will meet supermodels and supergroups, and each has an interesting anecdote. Mr. Flanagan covers musical influences as diverse as Raymond Carver and Daniel J. Boorstin. (Atheneum: 1961; The Image) A finer insight into hard-working artistry, and the snoop-and-poop on the music industry could not be written.

Rating:
Summary: Uplifting, motivational, and hard to put away
Review: I have read this book twice, and I am having to convince myself to study something else for a while! Flanagan starts with a revealing introduction - one I think some people skip in a flight of attention-deficit - outlining his belief in maintaining his view of the band as an outsider, (although it seems that the band and crew only highlight his journalistic status in times of stress -- otherwise he appears to be accepted in the circle of operatives). He often attributes philosophy and cynicsm to his "characters," and uses a voice that allows you to feel like a fly on the wall. A real treat is the fact that you get to understand some of the cognitive workings behind the band's actions, you relate to the crew as well as the band members, and come out of it with historical knowledge of their two albums - Zooropa and Actung Baby. Not aggrandizing. Just eye-opening.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for U2 fans, and music fans in general.
Review: Bill Flanagan's "U2 at the End of the World," is far more appropriately titled, "U2 at the End of the Music Industry As We Know It." The book, which exhaustively charts the world-crossing tours Zoo TV and Zooropa, also functions as a historical document of the music industry on the cutting edge of a major technology surge. It forecasts the eventual rise of MP3s and deals with the copyright issues involved, and the pursuit of art, commerce, and technology, and explores where the worlds converge, and where they are still discordant. It is also a documentary of the craziness involved in tour life -- as Flanagan points out, most rock writers travel for a band with a week, then leave. It is a far far greater thing to spend two years jumping around the world with a band, to the point where tour life feel normal, and everything else is child's play. A book that deals not with the mundane day to day existence of U2's members ("and then Larry came in and said wackily, 'It was the pizzaman after all!' Bono, Edge and Adam laughed at the silly drummer," etc.), but with the deeper issues of what the band is about, what music is, what the business is like, and what it means to attempt to be relevant and reinvent ones'self in the ever-changing face of music. A must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Too worshipful
Review: I would like to read a book about U2 written by an author who doesn't think they're God's gift to this earth. I like the music of U2, but it has always puzzled me why they have the reputation of possessing more strength, character, and integrity than than any other rock band. I know they started out as devout Christians and do charity work; maybe that's why. At any rate, although Larry Mullen and the Edge come across as rather stable human beings, Bono and Adam Clayton seem as silly and irresponsible as any other rock star. Schmoozing with supermodels, doing duets with Frank Sinatra...bleah! At one point Bono bizarrely sends a 357 magnum to Wynona Ryder (described as a "friend" of the band) for her birthday with a note saying "You made my day". He also complains about the media making his "flirting" with Christy Turlington out to be an affair. Is he that naive to think that he can hang out with models and not look like he's cheating on his wife? The author refers to U2 as "our heroes". U2 aren't heroes; they are a talented rock band. I would like to read a book that portrays them objectively, and not from a fan's point of view.

Rating:
Summary: at truly outstanding book
Review: i bought this book in 1997 and i have read it many times. the book gives an insight into U2 that no one else has managed to do. filled with entertaing stories about their exploits on the zoo tv tour and the lives of the band members, it shows you that our heroes are just normal people who work hard and have their own lives. my only real annoyance is when is the next one coming out, Bill ? i think i have to buy another copy now, because the book has been worn out by me reading it !

Rating:
Summary: A POP POLAROID
Review: I DONT REMENBER HAVING READ A BOOK ABOUT U2 WITH SUCH INTEREST . ITS FULL OF EXCLUSIVES ANECDOTES , MEMORIES ,STORIES ABOUT THE BAND . AFTER READING THE BOOK YOU DONT THINK ABOUT U2 MEMBERS THE SAME WAY .THEY ARE JUST NORMAL GUYS , ITS ONLY WHAT SURROUNDER THEM THAT IS CRAZY ,OUTRAGEOUS , GLAMOUROUS ( ITS ONLY ROCK ROLL ) THAT BOOK REMINDS ME THE BP FALLON ONE:"FARAWAY SO CLOSE "

Rating:
Summary: The best you can get!
Review: I'll keep it simple. I have over 25 U2 books in my collection. This is the best, and by far. This is not a book where you will find pictures. It's the inside story of the zoo tv tour. The difference with other books is that this one is not written by someone who only thinks he knows what he's talking about. When you read it, you can feel that you do get the real story, with many spicy details that an outsider would not know about... Very well written, with no pretentions or judgments. Just the real story, like a real fan loves it. Trust me on this one.

Rating:
Summary: An in depth look at U2
Review: This is truly a very well written description of U2, the people that surround them, and the lives they live. You truly feel like you are living with them in their lives and following them throughout their career. Bill Flanagan did an excellent job of remembering and writing all the experiences that he went through while traveling with U2. This is a funny, understanding, and heartwarming look into the lives of famous rock and roll stars. This book definetely helps you realize that rock and roll stars work hard and have lives as well. If you are a U2 fan, or not, this is truly the best book about them you could ever read. Your appreciation for the fast paced lives of U2 and other rock 'n' roll stars will definetely grow.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful work!
Review: Flanagan's book is an incredible journey through all three legs of U2's Zooropa world tour. He gives readers a clear view at the lives of the band members, both public and private.

Rating:
Summary: The Besta One Yet!
Review: I think a this was a wonderful, how do you say it, it is a the besta one, you going to update it, because a I thinka you should, you a very good a writer sir. Lots a people should go and a read thisa book you see. Excuse mya English it isa not a very good you see.