JConoverNonFiction

JonConover

Jon Conover Mrs. Laurençot Non-Fiction Essay >>The main idea of the biography __Bono__ by David Shaffer is to teach the reader more about Bono, the famous lead-singer/songwriter for the popular band U2. It takes the reader on an exploration through Bono’s life, experiences, causes, and musical career. Bono is an amazing person, truly unlike any other. Because of him, the band U2 was able to blossom from a “Gang of nut cases” (17) to a successful band, spreading its message of love and humanitarianism. >>The book __Bono__ shows what a great impact Bono made on our society. Bono made several contributions through his humanitarian work, improving the lives of people across the world. One of his main focuses is on curing AIDS in Africa, and U2 has played at several charity performances, such as the world famous “Live Aid” concert in 1985. (49) Bono changed the way people look at the world, daring them to actually take the time to try to make it a better place, instead of just letting other people deal with it. It was this kind of attitude that got him known worldwide, and made U2 one of those few bands that actually practices what it preaches, in a positive way. Many bands wrote about drugs, sex, and violence; but U2 counteracted them, and stood up for fairness and love in our twisted society. Bono and U2 are also known for being very anti-war, which has also affected society. Many people are also against war because of U2’s music, which shows that Bono’s work is shaping our society, and making it better for everyone. >>This biography, __Bono__, is relevant to history because a lot of U2’s songs contain a great deal of historical material. For example, one of their most famous songs, “Sunday, Bloody Sunday,” is about “Bloody Sunday,” which was January 30, 1972. Bloody Sunday was a battle that took place in Northern Ireland, (Bono was raised in Ireland) when a British Paratroop opened fire on a crowd demonstrating in favor of Northern Irish independence from Great Britain. (41) U2’s song captures the emotion of that day and expresses hope for the future, along with disgust for the past. >>Also, U2 traveled to Berlin during the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1990 to march with the celebrators, and were immerged in the culture of such a historical event. Bono used the things he saw and the emotions he experienced there to inspire him to write other songs for the band to play, to capture the essence of this great moment in history. >>__Bono__ teaches the reader a lot about the human rights activist, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of the band U2: Bono. It also discusses historical events that were occurring during the time the band was growing in popularity, and how those events shaped the path of Bono and his band. This book also gives a different insight into what it takes for someone to accomplish such success as Bono has achieved, and all of the hardships that may have to be overcome to do so. This book is honest, and it doesn’t tell the reader that we live in a perfect world where everyone loves each other, and gets along fantastically. It teaches the reader about how tough life is in Africa, with the poverty and diseases, because that is one of Bono’s most important causes. Bono is trying to spread the word of how poor the quality of life is in Africa, and to help make things better. The biography __Bono__ can really change the way the reader looks at the world in general, and teaches them that anyone can make a change to the world, for better, or for worse. It’s all up to each person to do his or her part.