Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Steve Stockman is a Presbyterian minister and chaplain at Queen's University in Belfast. He's also a broadcaster and writer and the poet doing his thing on the Stevenson & Samuel album recorded with Sam Hill. When he first started writing this book, rock superstars U2 appeared to be past their prime. However the release of their 'All You Can't Leave Behind' album and Bono's very high profile political machinations mean that there is a huge resurgence in interest in the band and this timely book is a fascinating read. A fan of the band since their early days, it could be argued that Stockman has spent more that 20 years researching this book and his own place as an Irish churchman gives him insight into the cultural backdrop of the band's development and struggles with the Church scene. There are some who would simply argue that U2 used to be Christians and decided they'd rather be the biggest band in the world. Stockman isn't one of these but instead presents the book as an apologetic for the Christian members of the band's pursuit of things spiritual. Sometimes when it comes to U2, you get the feeling that in some Christian quarters (the post evangelicals, for instance) believers are working overly hard to claim the band as their own, pouncing on any lyric where Bono might be making some comment about faith. Meanwhile there are equal numbers within the Church who would denounce the band for their swearing, drinking and rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Stockman steers a path between these two points and sometimes the book feels more like a critique of narrow ghettoised evangelical Christian culture and a plea for a faith which is worked out in the realities of a very big fallen world. Chronologically, Stockman takes the reader through U2's career and brings to light the spiritual implications of the different periods of the band's life. From their time in the Shalom Christian Fellowship in Dublin through the world wide impact of the band post Live Aid through to their glaring, garish, glitzy attack on consumerism on the Pop Mart tour, Stockman takes it all in. Songs are dissected, theories given and light shed on all things U2. Drawing on a variety of sources and press interviews, Stockman pieces it all together. Although the book doesn't actually source any members of the band directly, on reflection this isn't any different from the majority of rock biographies out there. How many rock books actually have the author face to face with his subject? But you can't help wondering how fascinating it would be to really sit Bono down and ask him everything you've ever wanted to know. In the meantime, if you've ever been interested in the music and life of U2, this is definitely the book for you. Ultimately, after reading this, I'm left to conclude that only God really knows what is truly going on in the hearts of the band members. Meanwhile I wonder whether Stocki is waiting for Bono to ring his doorbell, tell him he got it all wrong and punch his nose?

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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