Comments on: Finally, a Negative Review http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/ Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:06:47 +0000 hourly 1 By: Sean http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1259 Sean Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:56:44 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1259 So It won't be a big seller in Toledo, Big Whoop! So It won’t be a big seller in Toledo, Big Whoop!

]]> By: Claudio Dirani http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1253 Claudio Dirani Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:11:34 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1253 "The daily entries are so filled with minutia that the reading is tedious" The quote above, extracted from the text, represents how erratic the whole article was. I mean, everyone's entitled to...you know. But bear with me: the details presented in the book are what you (Matt) aimed for. To go throughout U2s history with the accuracity of the facts. Bit by bit and the MAIN bits. I guess the writer was bored and flubbed his own work. The book has everything a U2 fan and a rock historian needs. Not in my humble opinion... “The daily entries are so filled with minutia that the reading is tedious”

The quote above, extracted from the text, represents how erratic the whole article was. I mean, everyone’s entitled to…you know. But bear with me: the details presented in the book are what you (Matt) aimed for. To go throughout U2s history with the accuracity of the facts. Bit by bit and the MAIN bits. I guess the writer was bored and flubbed his own work. The book has everything a U2 fan and a rock historian needs. Not in my humble opinion…

]]> By: Sean http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1178 Sean Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:33:44 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1178 I read the review and found it negative! But, I agree with Cristiano. It was made for hardcore U2 fans, and i even remember Dad telling me that it was going to be made with hardcore U2 fans in mind. Apparently, Holman isn't a hardcore U2 fan. (Shame on him just kidding!) I read the review and found it negative! But, I agree with Cristiano. It was made for hardcore U2 fans, and i even remember Dad telling me that it was going to be made with hardcore U2 fans in mind. Apparently, Holman isn’t a hardcore U2 fan. (Shame on him just kidding!)

]]> By: John Stark, Helsinki, Finland http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1126 John Stark, Helsinki, Finland Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:10:34 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1126 I agree with Cristiano - I don't find the review that negative at all. In comparison to the previous positive ones, yes, but not THAT shredding. It is clear that the basic choice of layouting U2's story in the diary format doesn't appeal to him, and he doesn't seem to like that there is so much information. Additionally, he seems to think the writer is too biased :) I work at the Finnish National Broadcasting Company YLE (a public service broadcaster) here in Finland, and if something, I've learned many years ago that there is no thing called objectivity in this world. I do find that your style of writing, Matt, is in every way of good taste and choice, and not worshipping, so kudos to you. He does lift several things up in a positive light also, so, all in all, you should continue to be proud of your work. I'm certainly proud of any possible chance to assist you again, if the book will be updated, and if the band visits Finland again. I agree with Cristiano – I don’t find the review that negative at all. In comparison to the previous positive ones, yes, but not THAT shredding. It is clear that the basic choice of layouting U2′s story in the diary format doesn’t appeal to him, and he doesn’t seem to like that there is so much information. Additionally, he seems to think the writer is too biased :) I work at the Finnish National Broadcasting Company YLE (a public service broadcaster) here in Finland, and if something, I’ve learned many years ago that there is no thing called objectivity in this world. I do find that your style of writing, Matt, is in every way of good taste and choice, and not worshipping, so kudos to you.

He does lift several things up in a positive light also, so, all in all, you should continue to be proud of your work. I’m certainly proud of any possible chance to assist you again, if the book will be updated, and if the band visits Finland again.

]]> By: Cristiano http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1116 Cristiano Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:56:21 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1116 Actually, I don't think it was that negative. More like constructive criticism. He does make a point about the lack of pictures (but maybe just because the ones that are in the book make you want to see more of them). Everything else must look like problems to anyone who isn't a hardcore U2 fan... but then again, the book was written for the hardcore fans, so I guess it doesn't matter. I got the book about three days ago, and I just can't put it down. Great job, Matt, your book is up there with Flanagan's bible and U2: Live! I hope you'll get the chance to update it! Oh, and about the Maradona mistake... I suppose it isn't much of a problem to most people, but it stuck like a sore thumb to me (but then again, I'm brazilian, and brazlians HATE to be confused with argentinians, and vice-versa)... :) Actually, I don’t think it was that negative. More like constructive criticism. He does make a point about the lack of pictures (but maybe just because the ones that are in the book make you want to see more of them). Everything else must look like problems to anyone who isn’t a hardcore U2 fan… but then again, the book was written for the hardcore fans, so I guess it doesn’t matter. I got the book about three days ago, and I just can’t put it down. Great job, Matt, your book is up there with Flanagan’s bible and U2: Live! I hope you’ll get the chance to update it!

Oh, and about the Maradona mistake… I suppose it isn’t much of a problem to most people, but it stuck like a sore thumb to me (but then again, I’m brazilian, and brazlians HATE to be confused with argentinians, and vice-versa)… :)

]]> By: Nigel http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1115 Nigel Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:44:10 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1115 "The intros are strong enough to spoil the whole chapter, which could reduce the book to about 15 minutes of entertainment." The book may only appeal to people who like U2. Therefore, I would expect these fans wouldn't be worried over spoilers "Oh no! Don't tell me that Adam Clayton missed a gig during Zoo TV in Sydney! Oh no! Book spoilt!' Bloody hell, it isn't Lord of the Rings! Keep up the good work Matt, I'm enjoying the book and I want to see an update in the future! “The intros are strong enough to spoil the whole chapter, which could reduce the book to about 15 minutes of entertainment.”

The book may only appeal to people who like U2. Therefore, I would expect these fans wouldn’t be worried over spoilers

“Oh no! Don’t tell me that Adam Clayton missed a gig during Zoo TV in Sydney! Oh no! Book spoilt!’

Bloody hell, it isn’t Lord of the Rings!

Keep up the good work Matt, I’m enjoying the book and I want to see an update in the future!

]]> By: Chris Taylor http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1114 Chris Taylor Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:13:39 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1114 been a huge u2 fan and i loved your book and learned many things even though i thought i've heard it all / read it all before. i'll never understand why people write such negative reviews on something that someone put so much time, heart, passion and energy on. i'm grateful to you and the work you've done in the u2 diary... thank you. been a huge u2 fan and i loved your book and learned many things even though i thought i’ve heard it all / read it all before. i’ll never understand why people write such negative reviews on something that someone put so much time, heart, passion and energy on. i’m grateful to you and the work you’ve done in the u2 diary… thank you.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.u2diary.com/finally-a-negative-review/175/comment-page-1/#comment-1113 Brandon Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:21:44 +0000 http://www.u2diary.com/?p=175#comment-1113 It must sting to read a negative review of something you've worked so hard on, but you should take as a compliment Holman's idea that some people will be compelled by your book to go out and buy some U2 cds. He also concedes that your book may get some people to "appreciate a song they never cared for before." That would be pretty special. So, take his squabbles about design with a grain of salt, and hopefully the sting will wear off in a day or two. Cheers. It must sting to read a negative review of something you’ve worked so hard on, but you should take as a compliment Holman’s idea that some people will be compelled by your book to go out and buy some U2 cds. He also concedes that your book may get some people to “appreciate a song they never cared for before.” That would be pretty special. So, take his squabbles about design with a grain of salt, and hopefully the sting will wear off in a day or two. Cheers.

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