Walk On: The Spiritual Journey Of U2

I learned about the existence of this book on Facebook, and I thought lightly, "how interesting, I think I will read it."I have always felt close to the music of U2. I have enjoyed listening to U2 since the band began some 35 years ago. I have never attended a U2 concert in person, but I have listened to U2 endlessly on the radio in my car, on television, online, on iTunes ... singing along loudly to my favorites (when no one else can hear, lucky for them, smiles). U2 has been interwoven into the fabric of daily life, but mostly through the charismatic sound of the band's music.Imagine my surprise at discovering the Christian roots of much of the band's lyrics, and the sophisticated dialogue and discussion underway therein. I agree with author Steve Stockman there is a "depth of soul" beneath U2 songs. "They are never about just entertainment or display." But until I read this book, I was unaware of the true nature of that "depth of soul."Not new to me are the good works of the band and its individual members. I have been a volunteer for ONE and (RED). I have inherently trusted Bono and the band when it comes to critical issues - and the proper course of action - regarding poverty, debt relief, AIDS, corruption and more. Bono, who once remarked wryly, "... me that most awful of inventions, a Rock Star with a Cause," is nonetheless someone I have come to trust."Walk On" is an intense book. It is exceptionally well-documented and covers a wide range of topics, from the band's roots, the times in which we have both lived (and survived), and Ireland to musical influences, scripture and the lyrics (and deeper meanings) behind many of U2's songs. "While most bands set out to get famous, get laid, and get rich, these were not the goals of the Christian-hearted U2." Yet I find it refreshing that U2 is not hypocritical. They respect those with different opinions. Stockman remarks, "Bono's respect for the atheist is refreshing. Many believers distance themselves from those with differing views on God, sometimes even within different churches. Bono makes them his friends and then makes himself accountable to them.""U2 may have often had their heads in the sky, but their feet were always very much in the mud." I love that about U2.Stockman notes at the book's conclusion, "This is why the Church needs Bono. This is why everybody needs Bono. He is willing to take what he believes and the world around him, and wrestle with them and not let them go."Go n-eírí an bóthar leat.

In Walk On, Steve Stockman chronicles the journey of Irish rock band, U2, from their origins within the Shalom community of Dublin to the sold out Vertigo Tour and their advocacy in the One campaign. While telling the history of the band, the biopic emphasizes the role of the band's spirituality and faith in it's music and the causes it champions.Stockman does an excellent job of understanding how the member's relationship with the broader Christian movement in Ireland initially and in the US as their popularity grows changes and evolves. This includes a detailed treatment of the band's efforts to deal with the issues of justice and poverty and how these efforts bring them back into communication with the American evangelical movement after 2001.One of the real strengths of the book is the author's focus on the role U2's live performances play in understanding and explaining their message following the release of the Joshua Tree album. The theatrical elements of each concert tour are examined in light of the spiritual message the band is putting forward so as to be better understood by the reader as a part of the broader whole.I would strongly recommend this book as one of the best about the band to all fans and to those seeking to understand how the band's music both portrays and critiques postmodern culture.

I have been a U2 fan since around 81 and I noticed the Biblical references and concepts floating around in there songs right away. I though, wow finally a secular group writing some spiritual songs. I listened to a lot of Christian Contemporary Music back in those days, and I felt it was geared for the believer, and was not reaching others. But, U2 was and is cool and they were saying the spiritual things in a cool way, much like the Apostle Paul did back in the Acts.... He would learn how to deliver the gospel message in the language and symbols of each people he was dealing with. I think U2 and Bono have done more to spread the Gospel then all the "Christian" artists combined. U2 is delivering the positive message in our vernacular of Today. Steve Stockman does a nice job covering the history of U2's uses of spiritual references in there songs. The book is well written and riveting. He also outlines there personal spiritual journeys, How and where U2 (3 members) found God, why and how they change the act but still maintained the message, and how they are still relevant today. U2 is probably the most impotent massage band in rock history and its great to have a book like this to delve into there thinking. This is a must read for anyone interested in U2's spiritual songs.

This one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. I've been a U2 fan almost from the beginning, and when many other "Christians" criticized them and turn their backs on them for their outlandish, "ungodly" behavior, I continued to support the band and to draw inspiration from their music. I've never doubted their faith, and this book shows me that their actions as well as their music speak of a deep-seated desire to help others. Isn't that what Christianity is supposed to be about? I thought I was a pretty devout Christian til I read about all that Bono has done and continues to do, to try and make a difference in this world. He is one of the most "godly" men I know of in that he definitely "walks the talk". This book relly made me want to go out and try to make a difference in the lives of others. I would (and have) recommend this book not only to U2 fans, but to anyone who feels the need to stir their faith into greater action.

Un libro excepcional que te hará Reflexionar al puro estilo de U2

Yes, this is the ballroom tango as taught in the UK, so do not confuse it with Argentinean tango. It is clear, concise and accurate and teaches the basic steps anyone would need to pass a silver medal test in the UK and serves as a good reminder of the steps taught in class. But please, why does it have to be so DULL? The teacher's style would send anyone to sleep!!Go to any ballroom dance class in Britain these days and you will find plenty of people who thoroughly enjoy their lessons and social dancing and laugh a lot, sometimes at themselves when they get things wrong! The teachers, too bring their own personalities to the classes, creating an atmosphere that makes the whole scene the real joy it has always meant to be.Sadly this DVD does not reflect that atmosphere. I own several swing dance DVDs and videos that teach basic moves well and have fantastic life and energy, with a great rapport between the presenters. The ballroom revival that Britain is enjoying now needs the kind of accuracy this disc contains, but please, Mark, give your next offering some spark of vitality and enthusiasm!Bill Munro, Redhill

Stockman gives an often fascinating insight into the driving force behind U2's music, not religion so much as faith. The majority of songs make an appearance, even if the last chapter appears a rushed re-write to republish post-All That You Can't Leave Behind.He backs up his arguments well but has a tendency to be too sycophantic and, not surprisingly given his job (a priest), can appear to read too much into particular lines or even words, the references being somewhat far fetched.Overall though, I'd say this is a great read for any U2 fan - read it and you will never listen to the music the same way again.

Purchased as a gift

This book suffers from two main weaknesses. Firstly, it is an outsider's view. Stockman has no first-hand interviews with the boys in the band, and is thus forced to rely on second-hand material. Since he has not taken his questions directly to Bono and Co. much of his writing lacks the ring of intimacy and must be regarded as an outsider's best guesses.The second weakness is that it is unremittingly hagiographic. This became obvious early on in the book, so I was on the look-out for places where Stockman questions or criticises anything the band have done . . . and discovered only one example. (When the band chose to end the European version of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb with the track Fast Cars instead of, as in the US version, Yahweh.) I wasn't looking for a hatchet job, but an objective appraisal requires a little more than adulation alone: a degree of detachment and an ability to genuinely critique the band's work is lacking. As it stands the book is more of an apologetic from a devotee.Two positive things: the book is well-written and appears to be well-researched. This earns the book the 3 stars in my rating. Stockman can be quite lyrical in his own right and his book does contain many genuine insights into U2's work, albeit, as mentioned above, second-hand.