U2 - A Diary

by Matt McGee

U2 are the biggest band in the world and this diary is the single most comprehensive resource that details all of the relevant day-to-day events that have shaped U2 into the band it is today. It provides the important stories behind the 'who, what, when and where' including insights about key moments in U2s development that have never been told before.

Genres: Music

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Contemporary American author residing in Los Angeles, CA

Reviews

[Laura Eder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt's a great writer - check out his website www.atu2.com which is better than U2's official website in the way of news and fan connections. This book redefines comprehensive. It's well researched, gives a complete history of the band and does it with artistry. A must for serious fans.

[Han Adcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who didn't directly interview or spend time with U2, Matt McGee has written an incredibly thorough, in-depth account of practically everything the band has done since they started back in the 1970s. Quite a feat. The edition I read had some corrections and extra additions added on at the end of the book in 2011. It was really interesting for me because I learned some odd things, like the fact that Bono's very first nickname was...I kid you not...Steinhegvanhuysenolegbangbangbangbang, or that the Edge played guitar on some tracks with Jah Wobble. The pictures are all in black and white, and it would have been better if some of them were in colour, and there were a lot of typos (but not so much as to make it incomprehensible. Though at one point I did get confused when Joe O' Herlihy was said to have appeared behind the band on "a video well") but I would recommend the book to any serious U2 fan.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

You have to be a REAL U2 fan to be able to make it through any part of this book. It is titled Diary--and that is exactly what it is.

Some of the diary entries are interesting--particularly the ones that occur during tours, but the majority of the book is stuff that you really don't want or need to know.

[Daniel Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly detailed, but I am sure it could be even moreso. If you aren't interested in hearing every place Bono has been and every person he's talked to about African issues, then this probably isn't for you. But there is alot of U2 info and that is interesting to me and I am sure would be for other like-minded fans.

[Jesse Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously only for die-hards, as a day-by-day account of U2's entire career. But still worthwhile -- you'll learn a great deal of interesting points, both large and small, especially when it comes to the latter-day rhythms of Bono's philanthropy, and the long, arduous stretches of time devoted to the band's recordings.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm listed in this book! Highly recommended, Matt did an excellent job with his research, eagerly looking forward to future editions!

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm mentioned in the thanks at the back of the book so my review might be biased.