5.1 What books are there on U2?
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This article is from the U2 FAQ, by Maryann Stump stumpm@juno.com with numerous contributions by others.
5.1 What books are there on U2?
[AC] STORIES FOR BOYS, Dave Thomas, (Proteus Books, 1985) since revised
to include The Joshua Tree.
An interesting biography. A bit brief at times. Colour. Includes a
discography and a list of common bootlegs
available at the time (now very outdated).
THE U2 FILE: (Hot Press, 1985). Assorted articles/interviews from the
Irish music magazine Hot Press Very
good. Colour. Includes a discography.
[P] This book was also published in the U.S. by Harmony Books, also in
1985, and under the title "U2: In the
Name of Love." It's the same book, though. Inside, it says: "Published in
Ireland as 'The U2 File.'
ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE, Bill Graham, (Mandarin Paperbacks, 1989).
Covers U2's early days,
during 1977/78/79. By the man at Hot Press who supported U2 from the
very beginning. He is an 'insider'
when it comes to U2. There's some very strange photos in this book! Get
it for a laugh - I swear you won't
recognize U2 in some of the photos. Black and white.
UNFORGETTABLE FIRE - The Story of U2, Eamon Dunphy (Viking, 1989). The
official biography of U2.
Very detailed, especially when dealing with pre-1984 U2, which is good
because it's hard to find info about
this period. Some of the stuff in this has been questioned by the band as
to it's authenticity, but overall, a must
for anybody who's really interested in U2 as people. Black and white.
TOUCH THE FLAME: Geoff Parkyn (1987). A well put together biography. Has
a 'time line' type thing which
lists important U2 events, month by month, year by year. Includes a
discography along with small colour
pictures of many album and 7" and 12" single sleeves. Colour.
THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH: Niall Stokes, (Omnibus Press, 1989). Picks up
from where The U2 File
stops. More interviews and articles from Hot Press. By another insider
and U2 friend from Hot Press. Colour.
[NE] OUT OF CONTROL: A Guide To U2 Bootlegs: (Rock Bottom Press, March
1993)
[MJS] RATTLE AND HUM: The Official Book of the U2 Movie, Peter Williams
and Steve Turner (Harmony
Books, 1988) Details and background on the making of the movie.
OUTSIDE IS AMERICA: U2 in the U.S.: Carter Alan, (Faber and Faber, 1992).
Just what it says, the story of
U2 in America, from their first tour in 1980 to Zoo TV Inside Broadcast.
Carter, musical director of
WBCN-FM in Boston and a longtime U2 booster, clearly loves the band,
unfortunately whoever edited this
book didn't bother with fact checking so there are a few blatant errors.
Worth reading. $13.95 US.
U2 THE EARLY DAYS, Bill Graham, (Dell Publishing) Tales of U2 before
they had a recording contract. A must for fans.
BONO IN HIS OWN WORDS, Dave Thompson, (Omnibus Press) Snippets of the
wisdom of Bono from his
many interviews. Not for the feint of heart.
BURNING DESIRE, Sam Goodman, (Castle Communications, 1993) Pictures and
plenty of them, mostly in
color.
U2, Mark Taylor (Orion, 1993) A CD-sized book that does little aside from
proving that poor coiffure decisions
have plagued the band for decades. Includes an interview CD as well.
ISBN 1-57899-008-4
U2, Jackie Shirley (Longmeadow, 1993) Lovely pictures, godawful prose. I
suspect "Jackie Shirley" is a
pseudonym, nobody can be shameless enough to put their real name on this
dreck.
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