Bono: In Conversation With Michka Assayas (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
The reason this book stands out is because Assayas doesn't keep his journalistic distance but presses into his friend and asks him the tough questions. He presses Bono on not speaking about Africa for over a decade and points out to him that colonialism in France was left-wing and championed by humanitarians. Bono doesn't really respond and dismisses the idea of irresponsible borrowing by African nations at one point but he does admit that aid created worse conditions and has propped up despots but he says that can be avoided by placing strict conditions on the money. At another point Bono says that he's not for a paternalistic attitude concerning Africa but later talks about rewards systems that sound paternalistic to me. He asks that we not see him as some wide-eyed idealist and then says we've got to starting bringing Heaven down to Earth now. Not surprisingly he's a bundle of contradictions.At first blush it appears that he has reachable goals when it comes to charity: he explained to economist Robert Barro, and others, that the Jubilee 2000 debt cancellation was a one-time happening and would not encourage default on future debts; so why is there still a Jubilee campaign? Because not all debt was cancelled so just like all collectivists this is a plan that can never be fulfilled so these groups will never be satisfied in their social agendas and demands. One of my favorite passages is where he says that if you believe that aid is investment, that debt burden is unjust, in other words all his liberal suppositions, then the conclusion is that Africans will be able to take charge of their own destiny. Even if you follow all his rationale the conclusions don't follow from the premises. He believes that the West's treatment of Africans is the last bastion of inequality that we allow, says that we essentially have them chained to the ground, and insinuates that it is our racism that prevents us from giving more.Bono claims that he's tired of begging for "crumbs" from the table of the rich but he sees giving almost exclusively in terms of governments-to-government transfers. He dubiously claims that a) America is at the bottom of spending on the poorest countries and b) that even if you include private philanthropy that America is still abysmally behind. In fact, in 2006 US charitable giving was $295.02 billion, which is twice as much as the next most charitable country, according to a 2006 comparison done by the Charities Aid Foundation. As percentage of GDP the US ranks 1st with 1.7% and Great Britain is 2nd at .73%.He admits that the Sandinistas fascinated him because they were a majority and he was seeing liberation theology in practice. He was interested in socialism that didn't attempt to put down faith and used religion to inform the people of their rights. He was exploring his pacifism too and knows that Gandhi would say it is never appropriate to take up arms. He doesn't seem to know that Gandhi advocated that the Jews surrender to the Nazis in WWII, but this is a guy who praises the character of Bill Clinton at one point.While this book contains the clearest presentation of the Gospel by Bono in any venue it still has the smirking nonsense he is known for. What is Christianity: "My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love...and as much as I respond in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that's my religion." Who is the Gospel of Jesus Christ for: "Jesus preached the Gospels for the poor." How to interpret the Old Testament: "the Old Testament is more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects...those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend." Theological typology: "the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across as Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross." He's into deeds not creeds, spirituality and not religion. And like many of the topics outside of music, he holds sometimes interesting, sometimes quirky views but generally lacking wisdom or insight.
this review first appeared on [http://intraspace.blogspot.com]for a long time i've held a kind of ambition to meet bono. i guess that is a fairly cliche ambition, but there it is. a wave of excitement swept through new zealand a few months ago - U2 were returning after about 12 years of absence. people went crazy paying amazing prices for tickets on internet auction sites, queued through the night, and spent hours trying to buy tickets online. in the event, for now we have all been treated to a stunning display of anti-climax. the tour was postponed, and for a very good reason - one of the band members had a sick relative (the edge's daughter?).part of my build-up to the concert was reading this book. anna gave it to me for my birthday, a couple of weeks before the st patricks day concert. so, in lieu of the certainty of actually ever sitting down with bono and having the kind of conversation that takes days (or even decades) to complete and understand, michka assayas steps into the gap. and can i say right now, this book most definitely makes its way to the top of the pile of books on U2 or bono you should ever bother reading. bono, that man of mystery, is best revealed through his own words. not that that makes him any more straightforward - he describes himself as "a scribbling, cigar-smoking, wine-drinking, Bible-reading band man..." our friend alex, who's also reading the book said, "I'm kind of surprised, impressed and disappointed in Bono's character all at the same time".and so there he is. we all look for heroes - people who embody the ideal of what we believe. and after years of holding bono up as a hero (i've called U2 my favourite band since i was about 7) i'm learning to see him, and others, as people - complicated, flawed and open to acts of incredible stupidity and goodness. when you see that, you become more honest about yourself too i guess. so now i try to see bono as being bono, or better yet, paul hewson. and every time recently i've been tempted to see one of my heroes or friends as somehow removed from the harsh realities and complexities of life, the failings of humanity, the pitfalls of life, i think of biblical characters like king david - a shocking sinner and a man after God's own heart... crucially, david always admitted when he was wrong and developed some kind of real relationship with God, all the while acknowledging God as the higher authority. he was a man who undoubtedly knew the meaning of grace. and so, it seems, is bono.as a christian i would have asked bono a different set of questions to those that michka assayas asked, and to be honest sometimes the conversation seems to get a little too hot in the spiritual kitchen for assayas, which can be a little frustrating. i found that conversations about bono's political involvements got a bit tiring, but i guess that's where things are at in his life.anyway, this book is pretty addictive, the conversation style draws you in. this is easily one of the most crucial books (if not most crucial) on bono available. i hope there is another one in 10-20 years.
What do You think about Bono: In Conversation With Michka Assayas (2005)?
GREAT book, and an interesting way to get into Bono's mind. As he says repeatedly in his conversations, he would never write such a book himself, so it's great to have his thought process and perspective coaxed out of him by a good friend. Such an amazing mind, full of curiosity, inspiration, wonder for the world, and compassion for the poorest among us. The array of literary quotes at his disposal are impressive, and his sense of humor positively gleeful (Mischka needs to release his recordings so we can hear Bono's impressions of little old ladies and Bush). A fascinating insight into the inner workings of the band, what they stand for, and how they've survived across the decades. Certainly a role model for anyone looking to get the most out of life, by appreciating it and standing up to make a difference.
—Chandra
This was my third time reading this book, and I'd forgotten just how much Bono fascinates me. I enjoyed it this time more than ever because after having my own worldview transformed and solidified over the past year, I was able to recognize a lot of my own perspectives in what Bono has to say. It may be a strange thing to say, but I think this rock star has a better understanding of--and does a better job of representing--God's Kingdom in this world than many (if not most) well-known "Christian" personalities and church-goers do today. For anyone who is familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality assessment, it's obvious that Bono is an iNtuitive, believing the impossible is possible and finding ways to make dreams become reality--not simply for his own sake but for the common good and with an ever-present sense of justice fueling his actions--which explains why this book resonated with me before I could even understand why. This is one incredibly gifted, intelligent, and passionate man. I was refreshed, encouraged, and inspired by this book, and I will definitely be reading it yet again in the future!
—Kaysi
It's not often I write about a book I have read but this one is extraordinary. After having a 'love affair' with Bono and U2 over the years I now know why. Bono (and The Edge) are very spiritual people in the best way. If Bono had been the priest at my church in my youth I may still be attending because he speaks of the faith, the charity and the faults that we as humans should have as a part of our life. Not fire and brimstone and hatred. His own inner beliefs are laid out for all to see - the good, the bad, and the ugly. He talks about life as a rock star, a businessman and a charity organizer (on a huge scale). There are shared memories of his adventures amongst some of the most highly respected people worldwide in politics and the arts and of the starving and the sick in Africa and other parts of the world.His work, it seems, is never done as he continues quietly and without fanfare every week to right the wrongs - mass starvation, aids epidemics, etc.Bono's dialogue keeps you thinking the whole time. Love it!
—Jan
