A Grand Madness: Ten Years on the Road With U2

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: A Grand Madness : Ten Years on the Road With U2 is an excellent book. The journey begins in 1987 with the Joshua Tree Tour and continues right up to the recent POPMart Tour of 1997. Dianne Ebertt Beeaff (the author) shares her experiences as a U2 fan on tour, covering thirty-eight concerts in twenty cities. The book is written strictly from a fan's point of view and gives the reader a front-row-seat insight into what it's like to be a fan.

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Summary: A Musical Journey
Review: As Larry would say, "it's a musical journey"!! Loved it!!

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Great book! Anyone who's been to even one U2 concert will recognize the spirit and passion described so well by Ms. Beeaff. And anyone who has had the pleasure and privilege of 'meeting' any of the band--as I have on rare occasions--will find the same openhearted good nature and authenticity found in Beeaff's accounts. And for those who haven't done either, it's all here. Well written, forthright and informative. Buy it!

Rating:
Summary: A GRAND Read!
Review: Having been a U2 fan for MANY years and having done a few road trips, myself, I found this book to be a WONDERFUL tale of life on the road following a band. For anyone who has loved a band enough to want to see as many of their shows as possible, this book will bring back great memories as you relate to the author's stories. For anyone who has wondered what it would be like, here is the detailed insight you need. This book has inspired me to keep my own diary of my next Rock and Roll road trip!

Rating:
Summary: A Good Kind of Madness
Review: Having been a U2 fan for many years and in that time seen them live numerous times during their tours I found I could relate to a lot in this book. All the excitement, fun, hardship, emotions that I have felt at times are there. And unlike other books on U2 is it from our - the fans - viewpoint, and that makes a refreshing change. It is also well illustrated with lots of photos never published before. Well worth buying.

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Summary: A GRAND MADNESS INDEED-- MAYBE A GRAND ADDICTION
Review: I FOUND THIS BOOK TO REVEAL A VERY CANDID INSIGHT INTO LIFE ON THE ROAD WITH THE "BEST BAND IN THE WORLD". THE AUTHOR OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN THERE AND SHE EXPRESSES MANY FEELINGS THAT I CAN RELATE TO BECAUSE I AM THE SAME AGE AS THE BAND MEMBERS AND I HAVE FOLLOWED THEM FOR 20 YEARS AND...I WILL FOLLOW IN THE FUTURE....GREAT WORK...

Rating:
Summary: A Fun and Insightful Read!
Review: I have always loved to listen to U2. I have never had the opportunity to attend any of their concerts live. This book so aptly describes what it is like to be there,live, at a U2 happening. Her writing style so accurately describes the event, and all the other fans who attend. Some of those descriptions are flattering to the fans, a few are not! She shows great insight into U2's music, and her analysis is right on. If only the group or its management would read it, they too would gain some useful observations on where they have been, and where they ought to be going. Any fan of this great group will enjoy this book.

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Summary: This book could have been so much more.
Review: I purchased this book with high hopes that it would provide some insight into why someone would follow a band through many years and tours and what impact it would have on that person's personal life. Obviously the music and persona of U2 has had that impact upon Ms. Ebertt Beeaff's life, but this book is a curious recitation of endless versions of the same thing. "I went. I saw this set and they sang this." There must have been different responses to the concerts in different countries and cities, but there is no hint of that in this book. This book is curiously flat in affect and just drones on. The spirit that drives one to love U2 enough to commit to a major disruption in the author's adult life is never answered or explained. It was very disappointing. There were some enticing tidbits of encounters with the bandmembers, but they are few and far between. I finished the book, curiously dissatisfied. Still wondering. . .why?

Rating:
Summary: A grand madness, indeed
Review: I really enjoyed this book! The author's style is quite enjoyable! Anyone who has traveled around to see a band can relate to her experiences. At times I felt as though I was right there with her! A refreshing change from the typical "I'm with the band" type books! Most of us will never have those kind of experiences and therefore find Dianne's easily relatable! Thanks again for sharing your experiences, brings back memories of my own!

Rating:
Summary: Really struck a chord
Review: I really liked this book a lot and would highly recommend it to any U2 fan, especially one who has just discovered U2 from their latest album and would like to know more. Besides including some wonderful photographs, A Grand Madness is a well-written and insightful personal view of one of the world's greatest rock bands. The writer's experiences, told in diary form, come purely from a fan's perspective and not from any media or VIP status. As a relatively new fan myself, this really struck a chord with me.