Surrender Audiobook By Bono cover art

Surrender

40 Songs, One Story

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Surrender

By: Bono
Narrated by: Bono
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About this listen

***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
Activists Celebrity Memoir Essentials Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty Ireland

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

Featured Article: The top 100 celebrity memoirs of all time


The best celebrity memoir audiobooks are in a league of their own—there is no greater listening experience than a memoir performed by the celebrity behind the title. Their charisma and authenticity greatly enhance the experience, making it all the more engaging. Many listeners who would never think to read a celebrity memoir in print gravitate to the genre in audio. There’s something magical about hearing, in their own voice, the nitty-gritty of a star’s path.

What listeners say about Surrender

Highly rated for:

Captivating Storytelling Immersive Narration Poetic Prose Intimate Anecdotes Profound Self-reflection
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It’s a Spoken Journey

Hands down one of the best audio books narrated/spoken by its author. I’m a U2 fan going back 30 years (right before Achtung Baby came out) so there’s still a lot I’m surprised to learn about Bono. This book chronicles his life before the band, through his musical and charitable achievements and the highs and lows of both. I like that the book has bits and pieces of U2 songs, which are now reworked, throughout the chapters. Throughout the 40 chapters we learn more about Bono’s faith and his devotion to his wife, as well as his early struggles losing a parent at a young age and another parent now as an adult. Overall I feel this would be a good listen to old and new fans and possibly even non-fans.

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This Moved Me

I loved learning about the inspiration behind his songs. His speaking voice was fantastic to listen too and I also enjoyed the music. To me this is a very introspective, inspirational and spiritual book. I highly recommend it and I was sad when it was over.

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Thank you.

The is a moving testimony of what it is like to be human. This is recommended for anyone who grew up in gen X .

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Narrator is amazing;)

Have both read the book and listened. The gift of new arrangements compliments the book immensely and provides context to the acoustic direction and upcoming album. But the music doesn’t hold a candle to Bono’s narration, and that’s saying something.

Lifelong fan, and felt like I had heard all the U2 stories. Enough hear to capture the heart and imagination of a big fan.

Gotta be honest, the activist parts did not always hold my attention, but I know that’s a huge part of who he is. The impersonations helped. And who knew, Bono can impersonate quite well also.

I hope future Audible narrations are in this guy’s future!

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Intimate dimensions of an effluent artist

Bono's stories about the band, global figures, and his activism were simply enthralling. A first class wordsmith and erudite scholar, this man is so much more than he appears. To read his book is one experience - but to hear his story in his own voice is like having an intimate fireside chat with one of the great artistic muses of our lifetime.

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Loved everything about it

It is an entertaining, thought-provoking memoir. Bono's performance is wonderful. There are sound effects, there is music. He does voices. He is funny and self - deprecating. It made me go back and listen to all of their best albums. Such a fun listen that I didn't want it to be over.

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Candid and moving

This is a work of art in itself. Deeply revealing and insightful. Highly recommended for any music lover

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Inspiring!

I loved peering into the heart and mind of Bono. This heartwarming book is perfect for U2 fans but also anyone who truly loves music and has a strong sense of justice for this world. Absolutely beautiful and a must for young and young at heart listeners. Thank you Bono!

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Honest

Like my first U2 live experience in 1984 at The Unforgetable Fire tour in Los Angeles, this book was as much a spiritual experience as that life changing concert. Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry, thank you for staying together all these years and giving the World so much. Your honesty and authenticity Bono are what this world needs more than ever. Please keep shining your light on the World. Respect.

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I have no words - I’m awe…

I’m a U2 fan who has seen The Boys 11 (about to be 12) times in the last 20 years. I’ve followed them, supported them, listened to every album numerous times and can point out songs that for me through the roughest times in my life as well as the most joyous.

I learned a lot more about the band and reasons for songs or actions through Bono’s words. His ability to touch the soul is grandiose through hearing him read his own words, perform songs, and do voices of various famous people.

This book cannot be described in words - it’s powerful and soul touching to hear Bono’s humility.

I am in awe and will defiantly listen again and again and again.

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