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  • Surrender

  • 40 Songs, One Story
  • Written by: Bono
  • Narrated by: Bono
  • Length: 20 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (316 ratings)

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Surrender cover art

Surrender

Written by: Bono
Narrated by: Bono
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Publisher's Summary

***WINNER OF THE 2024 AUDIE AWARD FOR AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR***

Bono—artist, activist, and the lead singer of Irish rock band U2—has written a memoir: honest and irreverent, intimate and profound, Surrender is the story of the remarkable life he’s lived, the challenges he’s faced, and the friends and family who have shaped and sustained him.

Narrated by the author, Surrender is an intimate, immersive listening experience, telling stories from Bono’s early days in Dublin, to joining a band and playing sold out stadiums around the world with U2, plus his more than 20 years of activism.

Throughout a remarkable life, music has always been a constant for Bono and in the audiobook, his distinctive voice is interwoven with a very personal soundtrack adding atmosphere and texture to each and every scene. From moments of classic U2 hits to snippets by The Clash, Patti Smith, Verdi, Johnny Cash and Mozart, Surrender also exclusively features clips of newly recorded reimagined versions of U2 songs including ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, ‘With Or Without You’, ‘One’, ‘Beautiful Day’ and more, glimpsed for the first time on Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.

©2022 Bono (P)2022 Random House Audio

What the critics say

A VOGUE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

“Honest and direct . . . [Surrender] is defined largely by humility. This is an introspective story written by a man whose spirit is never far removed from the sadness and grief of his childhood; the hunger, literal and figurative, of a teen wannabe rocker; and the gratitude of one who worked his butt off and made it to the top . . . This is the rare rock star memoir written by a rock star who, you get the impression, could have been a writer . . . Bono has a gift for making even the unattainable seem relatable . . . He’s humble, even self-effacing. He might be fun to have a beer with. He is very much of this Earth, even if on occasion he might seem to float above the water.”—The L.A. Times

“Compelling . . . Surrender is more introspective than salacious or score-settling, and proof that the tunesmith who wrote it also speaks fluent prose.”—The Washington Post

Surrender soars whenever the spotlight comes on. Bono is never more powerful, on the page or the stage, than when he strives for the transcendence that only music can offer . . . [Bono] is open and honest, with language that can be witty and distinctive, addressing his competitive relationship with his father or growing up against the backdrop of Ireland’s political violence.”—The New York Times

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What listeners say about Surrender

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    4 out of 5 stars

Peripheral fan for r-years

Beautifully and eloquently read by Bono. Left me with lasting impressions on friendship, family, love and creativity. It got a little too »scriptures » at times, however that is just my agnosticism shinning through. Highly recommended, and much better on audio book..you can also find the surrender compilation on Spotify.

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Brilliant & Inspiring

The most beautifully written text and most brilliantly presented audio performance. For music fans, especially of U2, this is a must listen/read. The listener can feel the emotions of each experience that is shared, and will appreciate the candid behind-the-scenes revelations. Songs and lyrics were masterfully intertwined throughout, and helped to explain Bono’s journey in the most perfect way. Bono is already well know as a genius songwriter and performer on stage, but I was thrilled to discover that he is even more entertaining and so moving with the spoken word. This entire piece of art is emotional, amusing and inspiring at every turn. It leaves the connoisseur with the recognition that “It’s incredible that we’re here.” Indeed.

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  • SAS
  • 2023-04-14

Incredibly powerful

His heartfelt words, his life work, his philosophies - brilliant told (that voice!!), whatever you take from it - you will find it inspiring and touching. Will be listening again alongside the book this time.

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Beautiful

Loved that Bono read the book! I really enjoyed it and I would love for Bono to read more books! He’s got the voice and I couldn’t stop listening. It’s the best audio book I’ve listened to

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Bono is one of history’s great story tellers. This is his story.

I always knew that I loved this man’s music, this man’s band…and now I know why I love it.

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Great!!!

Really enjoyed Bono reading his story. It’s more than just listening…it’s an experience. Highly recommended.

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Where Can I Get The Soundtrack?

What a great listen, only wish is to be able to buy the soundtrack.

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Beautiful Read!

Loved the book! I’ve been inspired by Bono and U2 since I was a teenager! Truly a remarkable life story.

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Awesome

An incredibly moving and self irreverent journey through one of music’s most iconic figures. The production quality and narration were fantastic

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Breathtaking. A work of art.

From the music to the sound effects, all captured breathtakingly via a profound and moving story. Living history. Not a story about a rock star, but a story of embracing one’s humanity and all its ups and downs. Pure and unabridged reflection.
And yes, Bono, it truly IS incredible we are here.

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