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369 reviews for:
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family
Omid Scobie, Carolyn Durand
3.25 AVERAGE
369 reviews for:
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family
Omid Scobie, Carolyn Durand
3.25 AVERAGE
an actual christmas miracle that I finished this piece of Sussex propaganda, honestly felt SO one sided that it was almost humorous at times. Was about 350 pages too long but had some good tea in the second half. The sections about the wedding prep/wedding were most interesting. But lbr JUSTICE FOR QUEEN KATE.
This book is one of almost 3 dozen summer reading options for the students in the high school where I work. I brought home a copy to read because I figured it would be dishy beach reading, and it is.
It’s amazing to me the anger and vitriol that is evident in the reviews here on Goodreads. Get a life, people. The choices the Sussexes have made have nothing to do with you; just let them be! The authors of the book make it clear at the outset that they had access to Harry and Meghan. If you went into this thinking that it was going to be an unbiased book, that’s on you. It is clearly an inside job - just like Andrew Morton’s book about Princess Diana was an inside job, and is a similarly easy read.
The true villain in the story is the British press (though Kate Middleton comes across as being absolutely no fun). The dysfunctional relationship between the British tabloids and the monarchy is explained very well in this book and it is no wonder that Harry and Megan now live in Montecito. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be criticized relentlessly in tabloids and not be able to stick up for yourself. Not only that, the same family that actively maintains the dysfunctional relationship with the press - your family! - doesn’t stick up for you either. It really is madness and as previously illustrated in the Morton book, “it’s all just a little bit of history repeating…”
This is a 2 to 3 star book, but I gave it 4 stars to counteract the trolls, many of whom clearly joined Goodreads to give bad reviews.
It’s amazing to me the anger and vitriol that is evident in the reviews here on Goodreads. Get a life, people. The choices the Sussexes have made have nothing to do with you; just let them be! The authors of the book make it clear at the outset that they had access to Harry and Meghan. If you went into this thinking that it was going to be an unbiased book, that’s on you. It is clearly an inside job - just like Andrew Morton’s book about Princess Diana was an inside job, and is a similarly easy read.
The true villain in the story is the British press (though Kate Middleton comes across as being absolutely no fun). The dysfunctional relationship between the British tabloids and the monarchy is explained very well in this book and it is no wonder that Harry and Megan now live in Montecito. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be criticized relentlessly in tabloids and not be able to stick up for yourself. Not only that, the same family that actively maintains the dysfunctional relationship with the press - your family! - doesn’t stick up for you either. It really is madness and as previously illustrated in the Morton book, “it’s all just a little bit of history repeating…”
This is a 2 to 3 star book, but I gave it 4 stars to counteract the trolls, many of whom clearly joined Goodreads to give bad reviews.
informative
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
I listened to the audiobook.
The book is written as a bad fanfiction, with an absurd amount of detail and celebrity name dropping.
The book is so one sided and sugary that it was painful to listen.
The book is written as a bad fanfiction, with an absurd amount of detail and celebrity name dropping.
The book is so one sided and sugary that it was painful to listen.
This book provides a tiny bit more into the inside look of the lives of Harry and Megan, however, there is little new information. The biggest red flag for their relationship from my view point is when a close friend of Harry’s and Prince William both said before the engagement said that you are taking this relationship a bit fast why don’t you slow down he cut them more or less out of his life. All I can say is I hope Harry and Megan are as happy as the authors portray them to be in this book.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
2022 Reread Review:
I'm rereading the tabloid biographies of Harry & Meghan and Sussexit. I'm rereading in order of publication to track how the attitudes towards the couple, changed or didn't change, in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir 'Spare'.
I think my original review still works for this
Original 2020 Review:
British tabloids: print, online and TV, have been complaining nonstop and demanding Meghan go home.
Calling her 'duchess difficult', british for 'uppity'.
So she leaves and now they are big mad and screaming abandonment.
Make it make sense.
The claims that she, a WOC, 'stole' a white man from a former slave trading and violently colonizing tribe....
The jokes write themselves.
I believe Harry, Meghan, Charles, the queen, and other royals, all indirectly probably contributed some info using their friends and staff which is how most royals have gotten out their side of the story for decades.
Typically, 'the royal' who is the subject of the biography that they either directly or indirectly participated in, will put out a formal statement denying their participation in said biography.
In the case of this book and this story, it just so happens this is the 3rd book, at least, out this year covering the exact same royals, the exact same material and ALL promising to be in sole possession of the 'unbiased truth'.
I read Meghan & Harry: The Real Story by Lady Colin Campbell published end of June. I reviewed it June 26th.
I read Royals at War by Dylan Howard also published end of June. I reviewed it on July 2nd.
The above biographies were written in pretty much the same tone, with pretty much the same claims to 'insiders, palace staff and friends' of whatever 'royal' providing the quote.
All 3 biographies address the popular tabloid stories we've all read, seen and heard and all 3 possess at least a degree of bias.
I give this book the most weight of the 3 ONLY because the authors say they have maintained journalistic 'sourcing' standards. I presume they'll be called out by the over-caffeinated British press I've been reading so much about on anything they misrepresented.
So time will uncover the accuracy of this narrative.
I'm sure the truth is both a matter of perspective and a bit lost in the sauce at this point.
I think everyone involved is going to try to spin themselves as the victims.
I would say that the Cambridge's come off as the Duke & Duchess of Pettyville in this and probably had the least involvement. Or pulled out as the relationship soured between the Fab 4.
I don't really think we'll ever know everything and I don't really care.
None of it is any of my business.
Nothing I've read has really changed the opinions that I formed surrounding why Harry & Meghan exited the UK.
Most of my suspicions were formed by the gaps left by in the first 2 books. This nicely confirmed my theories.
I only gave this 5 stars because of racist trolls in the reviews.
I live for the petty🤷🏾♀️
I'm not only a player, I'm the Petty President!
Lol
I'd probably give this 3.5 stars which is the highest rating I've given of the 3 biographies on this subject.
I found it interesting that Prince Charles was so heavily involved in the wedding plans. I LOVE that he added Bishop Curry and the Kingdom Choir.
Prince Charles is a bit ruthless in his pursuit of positive press coverage. He knew the details of this historic event would make him appear inclusive and serve as some type of proof he cares about diversity. As was him keeping quiet about it and allowing it to be revealed, as in this book, as a thoughtful detail.
What he cares about is optics and this was beautifully played.
I have no choice but to stan.
Prince Charles is an old hat at using royal biographers to rehabilitate his public image. I'm guessing his staff cooperated as much as the Sussex's in this.
Prince Charles will be reading the room so to speak and be very aware that whatever his personal views, the rest of the world sees Meghan's treatment as racism.
It's hard to tell with covid but given the recent intrusive pics of baby Archie I'd guess the popularity of all things Sussex hasn't diminished at all.
Charles is hedging his bets and seeing what unfolds but making sure he looks good either way.
Same with the offhand offer of support as the couple 'forge their own path'.
Dad can easily withdraw financially and staff support if they aren't playing ball so to speak.
He's paying for a measure of control.
I also think he VERY much wants this resolved and them back in the fold.
I think this is the carrot.
For all of the outrage over money spent on the Sussex's its proven to be faux bullshit.
"The Queen took great pleasure in gifting homes to her family members, a senior aide said. Her Majesty gave Sunninghill Park to Prince Andrew; Bagshot Park to Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex; and Anmer Hall to William and Kate. “It’s her thing!” the aide added."
So the Queen didn't single out Harry with Frogmore, it appears this is a bit par for the course.
I agree that giving money to rich people is the height of ridiculous. However british tabloids are only complaining about the money spent on Meghan.
So yes, that qualifies as a racist concern.
Either apply the money complaint across the board and let the royals pay for themselves full stop or shut up with the racist faux concerns about Meghan's access to family 'firm' funds.
British tabloids are so virulently racist that they give more coverage and seem to have more outrage as a nation about Meghan touching her own belly (baby bump) then they are collectively about their already scandal prone Andrew, also being a sex-trafficking-in-children-while-engaging-in-sexual-assault 'Prince'.
This is the 2nd book to reveal the Cambridge's acting badly.
Royals at War praised William but painted Kate as mean and taunting to Meghan.
As well as Kate having her friends and social circle taunt Meghan at events.
I definitely think Wills and Kate are jealous.
Wills is very like Charles with Diana, in that he doesn't want to share the spotlight.
Even if doing so helps the royal family to have wider and further reaching appeal.
The truth is the monarchs duties are ceremonial. They don't have any real power nor and none of them does anything even slightly resembling work.
So what harm can Harry & Meghan's popularity do to the royal family?
Wills will be Prince of Wales and then King.
His son George will be King after him.
A royal coup isn't a fear even in this century.
The Cambridge's need therapy and to grow up.
Or to continue the Fab 4 and ride on Harry and Meghan's popularity.
Instead they were the driving force behind breaking up the Fab 4.
The Cambridge's 'hired' (implied they kinda enticed key staff with better positions and pay then the Sussex's had the budget to offer) the Sussex's staff, which is a big deal in their social circles and considered rude if not a snub.
The Sussex's lawsuit against the tabloids revealed that the leak at the palace in regards to Meghan was the Cambridge's staff.
That's not independent of William & Kate, that's being lead by them.
I honestly think that's the whole reason the Sussex's went ahead with this lawsuit.
It's a smart way to reveal that they were most definitely being mistreated by the palace. With his brother and sister in law gleefully participating.
I actually think this book is mild and mostly non-accusatory in overall tone. The authors just give tidbits but don't make outright accusations and present the other viewpoint though it's clear they don't agree, they acknowledge a differing view exists.
That's a far cry above Campbell's book which just ignored facts in favor of a predetermined racist narrative.
Mostly amounting to, 'the nerve of that uppity negress'.
If you read between the lines, the palace staff disliked and did not trust Meghan.
This is another area the racism rears it's ugly head. Science has studied race relations for decades. Reliably found is that white people do not trust Black people. Not because of the individual Black person but because that's how racism manifests: preconceived prejudice with the power to both act on those and reliably challenge even the label of racism.
We live in a time in which only 'bad' people are racists so the mind which is disturbed because of one's own racism searches for rational reasons to apply one's own bias.
This plays out in staff not getting back to Meghan to allow her to schedule her tiara fitting. The staff referring to her as 'Harry's showgirl'. It's 2020 and white people the world over know to never refer to a Black adult as a girl or boy much less as the property of a white person.
Because of the ridiculous ass hierarchy which makes up a ludicrous system like monarchy the couple do not have enough power for their extremely relevant and valid concerns to be addressed.
I understand this because I grew up in and even today live in a country where no one who looks like me and all of us combined collectively do not hold enough social power to get our needs addressed. No matter how reasonable, 'Like don't shoot my kids and can I get health-care that doesn't disproportionately harm me?'
If I had it within my power to leave I would too.
I think for all of the shit talked by the royal family, 'The Firm' wants and needs the star power that Harry & Meghan bring. Star power amounts to social relevance and relevance is always an issue for the firm.
If the Sussex's do plan to return to the firm, they plan to do so from a much stronger bargaining position.
Or they stay in the States and solidify their position as American Royalty.
This isn't as much of a gamble on their part as it may appear.
I think ultimately this hurts Wills future reign. He'd be smart to work this out. The longer it goes on he risks them being successful.Once the Sussex's need no assistance from the palace, that means they owe them nothing either. Should Harry & Meghan find success on the same path as the Clinton's and the Obama's, well that'll be respected everywhere but Britain.
Under that scenario the Sussex's wouldn't need Britain and that would shift the power dynamic.
Even if they move to strip their titles the firm risks such a move being labeled racism abroad.
The Sussex's are not without a measure of power.
The US has it's own hierarchy and they are fully embraced by it here.
With Oprah firmly on the Sussex's team it's inevitable that their popularity will continue to rise globally.
That's why so many powerful people in Hollywood are protecting and sheltering them right now.
When Oprah is your Fairy Godmother doors open.
The British tabloids will continue to have red-faced racists pontificating loudly on TV which will simply serve to cement the image of the racist Brit.
At a time the nation can ill afford it.
Brexit was racist.
Much like with the election of chump in the US in a single election the UK became an openly racist and not giving a fuck nation.
Take it from a US citizen living abroad, it hurts your global image which sticks and stinks like shit.
I mean the Sussex's were making the firm money. While increasing the social relevance of the British institution of monarchy globally with Meghan but they as a couple didn't rate enough to have their needs addressed and concerns treated as more than whining.
So they left.
Either to return with more power or more likely to blaze their own trail.
The thing is it's bad for for future King Wills if he can't make peace with his brother. After all he has to make his position as royal tenable.
Celebrity in the States is a whole other playing field and Harry & Meghan have their bases covered from what I can see.
Whew chile the tea was piping and the house was filthy in this fun gossipy book.
I'm rereading the tabloid biographies of Harry & Meghan and Sussexit. I'm rereading in order of publication to track how the attitudes towards the couple, changed or didn't change, in anticipation of Harry's upcoming memoir 'Spare'.
I think my original review still works for this
Original 2020 Review:
British tabloids: print, online and TV, have been complaining nonstop and demanding Meghan go home.
Calling her 'duchess difficult', british for 'uppity'.
So she leaves and now they are big mad and screaming abandonment.
Make it make sense.
The claims that she, a WOC, 'stole' a white man from a former slave trading and violently colonizing tribe....
The jokes write themselves.
I believe Harry, Meghan, Charles, the queen, and other royals, all indirectly probably contributed some info using their friends and staff which is how most royals have gotten out their side of the story for decades.
Typically, 'the royal' who is the subject of the biography that they either directly or indirectly participated in, will put out a formal statement denying their participation in said biography.
In the case of this book and this story, it just so happens this is the 3rd book, at least, out this year covering the exact same royals, the exact same material and ALL promising to be in sole possession of the 'unbiased truth'.
I read Meghan & Harry: The Real Story by Lady Colin Campbell published end of June. I reviewed it June 26th.
I read Royals at War by Dylan Howard also published end of June. I reviewed it on July 2nd.
The above biographies were written in pretty much the same tone, with pretty much the same claims to 'insiders, palace staff and friends' of whatever 'royal' providing the quote.
All 3 biographies address the popular tabloid stories we've all read, seen and heard and all 3 possess at least a degree of bias.
I give this book the most weight of the 3 ONLY because the authors say they have maintained journalistic 'sourcing' standards. I presume they'll be called out by the over-caffeinated British press I've been reading so much about on anything they misrepresented.
So time will uncover the accuracy of this narrative.
I'm sure the truth is both a matter of perspective and a bit lost in the sauce at this point.
I think everyone involved is going to try to spin themselves as the victims.
I would say that the Cambridge's come off as the Duke & Duchess of Pettyville in this and probably had the least involvement. Or pulled out as the relationship soured between the Fab 4.
I don't really think we'll ever know everything and I don't really care.
None of it is any of my business.
Nothing I've read has really changed the opinions that I formed surrounding why Harry & Meghan exited the UK.
Most of my suspicions were formed by the gaps left by in the first 2 books. This nicely confirmed my theories.
I only gave this 5 stars because of racist trolls in the reviews.
I live for the petty🤷🏾♀️
I'm not only a player, I'm the Petty President!
Lol
I'd probably give this 3.5 stars which is the highest rating I've given of the 3 biographies on this subject.
I found it interesting that Prince Charles was so heavily involved in the wedding plans. I LOVE that he added Bishop Curry and the Kingdom Choir.
Prince Charles is a bit ruthless in his pursuit of positive press coverage. He knew the details of this historic event would make him appear inclusive and serve as some type of proof he cares about diversity. As was him keeping quiet about it and allowing it to be revealed, as in this book, as a thoughtful detail.
What he cares about is optics and this was beautifully played.
I have no choice but to stan.
Prince Charles is an old hat at using royal biographers to rehabilitate his public image. I'm guessing his staff cooperated as much as the Sussex's in this.
Prince Charles will be reading the room so to speak and be very aware that whatever his personal views, the rest of the world sees Meghan's treatment as racism.
It's hard to tell with covid but given the recent intrusive pics of baby Archie I'd guess the popularity of all things Sussex hasn't diminished at all.
Charles is hedging his bets and seeing what unfolds but making sure he looks good either way.
Same with the offhand offer of support as the couple 'forge their own path'.
Dad can easily withdraw financially and staff support if they aren't playing ball so to speak.
He's paying for a measure of control.
I also think he VERY much wants this resolved and them back in the fold.
I think this is the carrot.
For all of the outrage over money spent on the Sussex's its proven to be faux bullshit.
"The Queen took great pleasure in gifting homes to her family members, a senior aide said. Her Majesty gave Sunninghill Park to Prince Andrew; Bagshot Park to Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex; and Anmer Hall to William and Kate. “It’s her thing!” the aide added."
So the Queen didn't single out Harry with Frogmore, it appears this is a bit par for the course.
I agree that giving money to rich people is the height of ridiculous. However british tabloids are only complaining about the money spent on Meghan.
So yes, that qualifies as a racist concern.
Either apply the money complaint across the board and let the royals pay for themselves full stop or shut up with the racist faux concerns about Meghan's access to family 'firm' funds.
British tabloids are so virulently racist that they give more coverage and seem to have more outrage as a nation about Meghan touching her own belly (baby bump) then they are collectively about their already scandal prone Andrew, also being a sex-trafficking-in-children-while-engaging-in-sexual-assault 'Prince'.
This is the 2nd book to reveal the Cambridge's acting badly.
Royals at War praised William but painted Kate as mean and taunting to Meghan.
As well as Kate having her friends and social circle taunt Meghan at events.
I definitely think Wills and Kate are jealous.
Wills is very like Charles with Diana, in that he doesn't want to share the spotlight.
Even if doing so helps the royal family to have wider and further reaching appeal.
The truth is the monarchs duties are ceremonial. They don't have any real power nor and none of them does anything even slightly resembling work.
So what harm can Harry & Meghan's popularity do to the royal family?
Wills will be Prince of Wales and then King.
His son George will be King after him.
A royal coup isn't a fear even in this century.
The Cambridge's need therapy and to grow up.
Or to continue the Fab 4 and ride on Harry and Meghan's popularity.
Instead they were the driving force behind breaking up the Fab 4.
The Cambridge's 'hired' (implied they kinda enticed key staff with better positions and pay then the Sussex's had the budget to offer) the Sussex's staff, which is a big deal in their social circles and considered rude if not a snub.
The Sussex's lawsuit against the tabloids revealed that the leak at the palace in regards to Meghan was the Cambridge's staff.
That's not independent of William & Kate, that's being lead by them.
I honestly think that's the whole reason the Sussex's went ahead with this lawsuit.
It's a smart way to reveal that they were most definitely being mistreated by the palace. With his brother and sister in law gleefully participating.
I actually think this book is mild and mostly non-accusatory in overall tone. The authors just give tidbits but don't make outright accusations and present the other viewpoint though it's clear they don't agree, they acknowledge a differing view exists.
That's a far cry above Campbell's book which just ignored facts in favor of a predetermined racist narrative.
Mostly amounting to, 'the nerve of that uppity negress'.
If you read between the lines, the palace staff disliked and did not trust Meghan.
This is another area the racism rears it's ugly head. Science has studied race relations for decades. Reliably found is that white people do not trust Black people. Not because of the individual Black person but because that's how racism manifests: preconceived prejudice with the power to both act on those and reliably challenge even the label of racism.
We live in a time in which only 'bad' people are racists so the mind which is disturbed because of one's own racism searches for rational reasons to apply one's own bias.
This plays out in staff not getting back to Meghan to allow her to schedule her tiara fitting. The staff referring to her as 'Harry's showgirl'. It's 2020 and white people the world over know to never refer to a Black adult as a girl or boy much less as the property of a white person.
Because of the ridiculous ass hierarchy which makes up a ludicrous system like monarchy the couple do not have enough power for their extremely relevant and valid concerns to be addressed.
I understand this because I grew up in and even today live in a country where no one who looks like me and all of us combined collectively do not hold enough social power to get our needs addressed. No matter how reasonable, 'Like don't shoot my kids and can I get health-care that doesn't disproportionately harm me?'
If I had it within my power to leave I would too.
I think for all of the shit talked by the royal family, 'The Firm' wants and needs the star power that Harry & Meghan bring. Star power amounts to social relevance and relevance is always an issue for the firm.
If the Sussex's do plan to return to the firm, they plan to do so from a much stronger bargaining position.
Or they stay in the States and solidify their position as American Royalty.
This isn't as much of a gamble on their part as it may appear.
I think ultimately this hurts Wills future reign. He'd be smart to work this out. The longer it goes on he risks them being successful.Once the Sussex's need no assistance from the palace, that means they owe them nothing either. Should Harry & Meghan find success on the same path as the Clinton's and the Obama's, well that'll be respected everywhere but Britain.
Under that scenario the Sussex's wouldn't need Britain and that would shift the power dynamic.
Even if they move to strip their titles the firm risks such a move being labeled racism abroad.
The Sussex's are not without a measure of power.
The US has it's own hierarchy and they are fully embraced by it here.
With Oprah firmly on the Sussex's team it's inevitable that their popularity will continue to rise globally.
That's why so many powerful people in Hollywood are protecting and sheltering them right now.
When Oprah is your Fairy Godmother doors open.
The British tabloids will continue to have red-faced racists pontificating loudly on TV which will simply serve to cement the image of the racist Brit.
At a time the nation can ill afford it.
Brexit was racist.
Much like with the election of chump in the US in a single election the UK became an openly racist and not giving a fuck nation.
Take it from a US citizen living abroad, it hurts your global image which sticks and stinks like shit.
I mean the Sussex's were making the firm money. While increasing the social relevance of the British institution of monarchy globally with Meghan but they as a couple didn't rate enough to have their needs addressed and concerns treated as more than whining.
So they left.
Either to return with more power or more likely to blaze their own trail.
The thing is it's bad for for future King Wills if he can't make peace with his brother. After all he has to make his position as royal tenable.
Celebrity in the States is a whole other playing field and Harry & Meghan have their bases covered from what I can see.
Whew chile the tea was piping and the house was filthy in this fun gossipy book.
informative
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced