I have just finished reading this rather long book - it was a fluent, but challenging read. Highly descriptive and disarmingly open, it tells of Geldof's life up to his involvement in Band Aid and the Live Aid concert phenomenon.
The sad irony here is - Geldof speaks of his deep love for Paula Yates, and this was way before the shit hit the fan re Michael Hutchence, his suicide/eroticide and her subsequent death from a heroin overdose.
Geldof presents as a 'my way or the highway' type of person, who on one hand craves the spotlight as a pop star, yet eschews the trappings of fame as a charity fund raiser.
He is a complex character - foul-mouthed, impatient and uncompromising at times - yet capable of great political insight, empathy and selflessness.
I can't help but admire his guts and motivation to try to address the tragedy of Africa's political and economic guagmire.
Did Geldof make a difference? Yes - I believe he did, when so many others did nothing (and still do).
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