Surrender

40 Songs, One Story

By: Bono

Narrated by: Bono

***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

Critic reviews

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

Fantastic!

Hands down the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. It’s more like a radio play than a book. Bono’s narration is superb, the music and sound effects add to the atmosphere, and the story is compelling. Highly, highly recommended!

No Words

This performance was beautiful and engaging. But much more was the heart and life of a man laid bare so we might glimpse it for a moment. As a person of faith, Bono’s real, living faith caused me to question how am I living out mine. Seeing him strive to seek God, but recognizing early in his life, the difference in religion and faith was so inspiring. How he and his wife understood how they could act out their faith through service to those in need, beginning in their early 20’s was so different. I am amazed at how much he understood about God’s love, mercy, and most importantly grace at a young age leaves me without words. All of that and incredible music with band mates he clearly loves for over 40 years. So much accomplished and he isn’t finished. It was an honor to listen to this performance. I feel inspired to make a difference in my own sliver of the world. How can I help?!?!?!

You don't have to be a fan to enjoy the book

Loved this! Have been a fan since the beginning, but I don't think you have to be a fan to enjoy the book. I will definitely listen more than once or twice.

A Masterpiece

I attended one of his book tour performances and this book makes it feel like I was there and more. It’s like Bono is conversing with me. I scoffed a little at the price, but after listening I can honestly say it’s the best audiobook I’ve ever heard. The music, the narration, the solo’s, the background sounds all made the price totally worth it. Listening about his life and his perspective and worldview have definitely solidified him and what he stands for into the crevices of my heart. The way he speaks about life, even in all the heartache, is somehow comforting. You will laugh and cry throughout this audiobook. I loved it and recommend it to all.

Wow. A new standard in autobiographies

I have listened to numerous autobiographies and a fair number of ones about musicians. This one has unfairly raised the bar on any I listen to in the future. Unfairly because Bono didn’t approach this as a book that could be read out-loud as his peers did. He approached this as a performance piece. It was a great, entertaining, thought provoking performance that will stay with me.
Ignore those reviewers who say this audio-book is “preachy”. Far from if. What you will hear is a man who humbly shows you his heart, his soul and his fallacies. If a listener finds it “preachy” then maybe it has just made them uncomfortable regarding where they are and where they should be.
Those reviews who write that it’s a political statement — well if talking about how those of us born in the 1st World have been blessed and acknowledge that maybe we should use some of our blessings to help those not so blessed — ok call it “political” or maybe it’s just being a decent human being.

Give yourself a gift and listen to this recording. Treat yourself.

I was anxious that he would be... a bit much.

Even long time fans will confess that Bono can be... a lot. Happily in this setting the author finds a charming, intimate, and strikingly humble tone.
Gratitude is the timbre. His stories; often funny, sometimes abstract, consistently rewarding; build on the best in others: musicians, activists, politicians, and friends.
Amid all the ambition, mistakes, and success retold I found myself surprisingly inspired. I found myself wanting to be more of a good guy in the world, to be a better friend, a better spouse. I did not come in expecting any of this.
Five stars from me.

The top line melody of a life

My life is more rich because of this man’s work. His music has long found resonant frequency with my soul. This book does the same. Thank you, Bono.

The next best thing…

to seeing the man sing live. First listened to U2 in 1983 and have his voice in the soundtrack to most of my life. Had a cassette confiscated by a teacher at my strict Baptist school. For me, Bono has always lived in that tension between Christ and Christianity. But this book reveals his “inbetweenery” extends so far beyond his songs or the band or even his activism. It’s an identity borne out of real suffering. We should all be so lucky to gain as much, or learn as much, as Bono has. The writing in this biography is only eclipsed by his painfully honest reading. Of course, even that conceit of honesty might be part of the show ….

better than I could have imagined

to hear bonos life in his own words was such a gift. I am inspired

Exceptionally Beautiful

How amazing to hear Bono tell his own story! Fascinating, thought-provoking, and wonderfully produced. BUT, be prepared for a lot of name dropping and political preaching . I loved the book overall but had to force myself through those parts in the hope of him getting back to his life and the band.