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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I may need to come back to my review. This whole situation is a lot. I have not followed Harry and Meghan's departure from England, as partially I thought that's what they wanted- to be left alone, and partially I did not care.
I have no doubt she suffered racists attacks to be clear. But I also think a lot of their plight is poor little rich kids and I similarly don't have pity for those who purchased McDonald's coffee then sued because it was hot.
However in book form I thought I'd give it a go and hear Harry's side as I do generally like to hear all sides to a story.
This, as all memoirs, is one-sided and bias to his memories, but is a unique look into perhaps the most famous family in the world.
To start I'll quote Kacey Musgraves and say, "Family is family; in church or in prison. You get what you get, and you don't get to pick 'em." So truly this is at heart a book of someone ranting about their family. Except that's what the press wants to sell you on. As much as Harry rants about the horrors done to them by his family, he doubly, and constantly rants about the press, to the point he shares that his therapist thanks he's obsessed with them. Which is why I can't fully buy whatever he's selling, as he continues to use the press just like he complains his family does, to try and get what he wants. I can clearly give him some leniency, as that's how he was brought up. But to pretend he's better than the others in his family is false.
He spends much of the book talking about his trauma from losing his mother, which one can side with. But he takes this subject as another opportunity to fault his family for how they've coped, without recognizing the spectacularly unique life they lead and duty their privilege and place requires along with the culture that has led to perhaps not the best coping techniques. He does provide some push back against public criticism on many things they've done- especially seems to have a soft spot for Queen Elizabeth, but then at the same time is more than willing to publicly throw them under the bus where it suits.
He never really talks about the balance. For example, at the end he constantly says he wants security for his family, but basically does not want to fulfill his duty while getting the privileged security his family is normally afforded. There are well defined protocols globally for royal families and he can't just quit and expect he can travel around and still expect other countries to provide the security of Internationally Protected Persons that they do to royals when he has disavowed himself of those responsibilities. He also often criticises Kate for what seems to be her cultural norms because she doesn't have the same cultural norms as Meghan. Speaking as an introvert from a very individualistic culture, I also wouldn't want to share my lipgloss with someone. And I have been in spots where I'm with people who are from very collectivist cultures and used to being around a lot of people and sharing, and it's very difficult and uncomfortable to me. And neither way is wrong, they just have to be open and understand where each one is coming from instead of blaming each other.
What he also doesn't seem to grasp, which his grandmother did so well, is this duty and privilege of being part of The Firm. By writing this book he harms his family rather than working with them to fix things. And in government change takes a while, no matter how badly you want it and he just didn't have the patience for. He himself mentions that Britons complain about the cost of the monarchy- which he points out really only costs a pint a year. In Canada it's just over $1 per person per year. And it truly did bring in more money than cost when Will and Kate honeymooned. But this is unlike when Harry and Meghan spent their 6 week escape here costing us their security without their making public appearances to boost the local economy. It's part of the job, and he doesn't seem to recognize he is basically attacking his family's business and livelihood with his shenanigans. - What you think of that business I would argue is moot to the critique of this book. I say that because he hasn't said his goal is to take them all down, so then why is he basically doing just that. Going through the media to rant is not the best way to effect change.
To be fair, the "stuff upper lip" sentiment is problematic for mental health and it is good to see people are applauding him for shunning this and embracing the more US style let's share everything with everyone. But you aren't going to change centuries of cultural norms by writing a book.
In terms of a public good, I find it very historically interesting that Harry has shared his side. However I do not think it was necessary, I don't think it helped anything, and could have been released in 100 years for the public record without being as damaging perhaps to the highest extent to himself. His attacks on the press fall on deaf ears, as they have no feelings, only want clickbait and love him spilling the "T" to just create more drama. But then he seems to wonder why, as he's attacking his family and their business, which is under constant threat of falling as other monarchies have, they might not want to talk to him.
I have no doubt she suffered racists attacks to be clear. But I also think a lot of their plight is poor little rich kids and I similarly don't have pity for those who purchased McDonald's coffee then sued because it was hot.
However in book form I thought I'd give it a go and hear Harry's side as I do generally like to hear all sides to a story.
This, as all memoirs, is one-sided and bias to his memories, but is a unique look into perhaps the most famous family in the world.
To start I'll quote Kacey Musgraves and say, "Family is family; in church or in prison. You get what you get, and you don't get to pick 'em." So truly this is at heart a book of someone ranting about their family. Except that's what the press wants to sell you on. As much as Harry rants about the horrors done to them by his family, he doubly, and constantly rants about the press, to the point he shares that his therapist thanks he's obsessed with them. Which is why I can't fully buy whatever he's selling, as he continues to use the press just like he complains his family does, to try and get what he wants. I can clearly give him some leniency, as that's how he was brought up. But to pretend he's better than the others in his family is false.
He spends much of the book talking about his trauma from losing his mother, which one can side with. But he takes this subject as another opportunity to fault his family for how they've coped, without recognizing the spectacularly unique life they lead and duty their privilege and place requires along with the culture that has led to perhaps not the best coping techniques. He does provide some push back against public criticism on many things they've done- especially seems to have a soft spot for Queen Elizabeth, but then at the same time is more than willing to publicly throw them under the bus where it suits.
He never really talks about the balance. For example, at the end he constantly says he wants security for his family, but basically does not want to fulfill his duty while getting the privileged security his family is normally afforded. There are well defined protocols globally for royal families and he can't just quit and expect he can travel around and still expect other countries to provide the security of Internationally Protected Persons that they do to royals when he has disavowed himself of those responsibilities. He also often criticises Kate for what seems to be her cultural norms because she doesn't have the same cultural norms as Meghan. Speaking as an introvert from a very individualistic culture, I also wouldn't want to share my lipgloss with someone. And I have been in spots where I'm with people who are from very collectivist cultures and used to being around a lot of people and sharing, and it's very difficult and uncomfortable to me. And neither way is wrong, they just have to be open and understand where each one is coming from instead of blaming each other.
What he also doesn't seem to grasp, which his grandmother did so well, is this duty and privilege of being part of The Firm. By writing this book he harms his family rather than working with them to fix things. And in government change takes a while, no matter how badly you want it and he just didn't have the patience for. He himself mentions that Britons complain about the cost of the monarchy- which he points out really only costs a pint a year. In Canada it's just over $1 per person per year. And it truly did bring in more money than cost when Will and Kate honeymooned. But this is unlike when Harry and Meghan spent their 6 week escape here costing us their security without their making public appearances to boost the local economy. It's part of the job, and he doesn't seem to recognize he is basically attacking his family's business and livelihood with his shenanigans. - What you think of that business I would argue is moot to the critique of this book. I say that because he hasn't said his goal is to take them all down, so then why is he basically doing just that. Going through the media to rant is not the best way to effect change.
To be fair, the "stuff upper lip" sentiment is problematic for mental health and it is good to see people are applauding him for shunning this and embracing the more US style let's share everything with everyone. But you aren't going to change centuries of cultural norms by writing a book.
In terms of a public good, I find it very historically interesting that Harry has shared his side. However I do not think it was necessary, I don't think it helped anything, and could have been released in 100 years for the public record without being as damaging perhaps to the highest extent to himself. His attacks on the press fall on deaf ears, as they have no feelings, only want clickbait and love him spilling the "T" to just create more drama. But then he seems to wonder why, as he's attacking his family and their business, which is under constant threat of falling as other monarchies have, they might not want to talk to him.
I love a good autobiography. Especially when it is read by Prince Harry in a British accent. I am always fascinated by the inner workings of royal families. Which is the problem...some are too fascinated with their lives. It's unfortunate how much $ a pap can make off one photo of a royal. This book really made me sympathize with Harry and Meghan's need to feel safe. Harry owns up to some of his mistakes. And he really does love his family.
How much of this is truth? Who knows. But interesting to get his viewpoint.
Non-fiction is usually not my thing, but I found myself wanting to get back to this one and wanting to hear more. I definitely recommend it.
How much of this is truth? Who knows. But interesting to get his viewpoint.
Non-fiction is usually not my thing, but I found myself wanting to get back to this one and wanting to hear more. I definitely recommend it.
I LOVED this memoir. I have found that I just love reading people’s story from their point of you. You get their thoughts and their thoughts alone. There is no analyzing what one may be thinking. This is my first 5 star read of 2023. The writing flowed well and I enjoyed the pace. We got a lot of details. At times, it was more than I needed to know, but he can tell his story how he wants. I could never fault someone for telling their story like so many have. He’s wrong about himself? According to who? The British media? Because he is currently in court for the lawsuit again them. I cannot believe how they have been allowed to get away with some truly illegal things. I have always enjoyed Prince Harry and therefore, loved this. My heart broke for him at times. You can see a man who misses his mother and the trauma that was never addressed. You see a man who couldn’t even enjoy his career in the army that he says he loved. You see a man who was afraid to love because of how anyone connected to him would be stalked. You see a man who found the love of his life and saw the same things that killed his mother begin to happen to her. It’s a lot at times and helped me understand a lot about their lives. It is easy for us to say to ignore it all, but if it is every day to the point that you cannot leave your home, you may feel differently. I didn’t see someone speaking from privilege about the life he was given. I saw someone who loved his family, but was destroyed by the press. It is true harassment. He even admitted to doing things in his life that he never did because it was just easier to agree than to fight. This was eye opening to me.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
What a wonderful insight into the lives of the royals. Prince Harry was so honest in his life experience. Spanning from the experience of his mother's death, turmoil with British (and American) media, and all the struggles that he and Megan have had to face the last 7 years. His honesty was refreshing and it pains me the way that their lives and actions are so scrutinized by media and the information twisted for the sake of power and money. You truly cannot trust media these days and this memoir goes to show just how vile writer's and paparazzi are..
I am not an anglophile, and while I've stayed relatively informed with the news of the royal family for the last 10-ish years, I don't find it particularly interesting or important. However, as a big fan of memoirs read by the author, when I heard that Harry was releasing a book, I quickly added it to my audiobook list.
The pros: It's broken into three sections: his childhood, his adulthood pre meeting Megan, and then meeting Megan through to the Queen's recent passing. Each chapter is anywhere from 2-10 minutes long, making this 15ish hour long listen feel bite-sized and easily consumable.
The cons: He's got a monotone delivery, which made this difficult to listen to for long stretches or in the car - it made me sleepy! Also the middle section, while relevant and important to his life story, felt draggy and boring. If I had been reading the physical book, I might have stopped, or at least skimmed/skipped ahead.
The last section of the book is the gossipy bit most people are looking for, and truthfully, if you watched the couple's interview with Oprah, there's no real new information there. However, having listened to what his life was like as a child and young adult, it puts this most recent part of his life into a new context.
In the end, I have a newfound respect for Harry and Megan. I think what they've had to deal with is truly unimaginable, and the idea that his family, arguably the most powerful family in the world, showed little to no compassion for him is heartbreaking. This book made me realize that despite the ways in which the English and Americans are similar, the marriage of Harry and Megan truly was a culture clash, and unfortunately, the royal family was unwilling, or maybe unable, to navigate that, emotionally and in all other ways.
I've heard a lot of people say things like, "I don't feel bad for them!" or "Why draw more attention to it? Just be free and live your life," but I think anyone who reads/listens to this would feel differently. Prince Harry is coming from a family culture where speaking your mind and protecting each other is unheard of. In telling his story he's done something incredibly brave, and is trying to break this destructive cycle for his wife and children.
The pros: It's broken into three sections: his childhood, his adulthood pre meeting Megan, and then meeting Megan through to the Queen's recent passing. Each chapter is anywhere from 2-10 minutes long, making this 15ish hour long listen feel bite-sized and easily consumable.
The cons: He's got a monotone delivery, which made this difficult to listen to for long stretches or in the car - it made me sleepy! Also the middle section, while relevant and important to his life story, felt draggy and boring. If I had been reading the physical book, I might have stopped, or at least skimmed/skipped ahead.
The last section of the book is the gossipy bit most people are looking for, and truthfully, if you watched the couple's interview with Oprah, there's no real new information there. However, having listened to what his life was like as a child and young adult, it puts this most recent part of his life into a new context.
In the end, I have a newfound respect for Harry and Megan. I think what they've had to deal with is truly unimaginable, and the idea that his family, arguably the most powerful family in the world, showed little to no compassion for him is heartbreaking. This book made me realize that despite the ways in which the English and Americans are similar, the marriage of Harry and Megan truly was a culture clash, and unfortunately, the royal family was unwilling, or maybe unable, to navigate that, emotionally and in all other ways.
I've heard a lot of people say things like, "I don't feel bad for them!" or "Why draw more attention to it? Just be free and live your life," but I think anyone who reads/listens to this would feel differently. Prince Harry is coming from a family culture where speaking your mind and protecting each other is unheard of. In telling his story he's done something incredibly brave, and is trying to break this destructive cycle for his wife and children.
I listened to this audiobook on a long journey and I am recommending it to everyone I know.
Are there moments where he sounds like a poor rich person whining? - Yes, a couple.
Are there also moments where you empathize with the pain frustrations and the endless search for purpose Harry has experienced in all his life? - Yes. Plenty.
Are there moments where he sounds like a poor rich person whining? - Yes, a couple.
Are there also moments where you empathize with the pain frustrations and the endless search for purpose Harry has experienced in all his life? - Yes. Plenty.
Enjoyed Harry's narration of the audiobook. Really eye opening to hear that so many of things I had read about him through my life are simply not true.
I’m not sure if I’m gonna finish this one! At least not right now. Kinda got swept up in the Crown episodes covering Diana’s final days and felt compelled, but now I’m wading through the military bits and going a little cross eyed. Might need to hibernate for a bit…
fast-paced
Really enjoyed this one. I know there's more than one side to the story, but I find Harry honest and likeable and I'll remain a fan (just don't tell my British friends). I appreciate that this covered much more ground than just Diana's death and fleeing the UK, and was surprised at how engaged I was in the section about his time in the army. I was occasionally distracted when he referenced he wasn't very dedicated in school by the fact that these words were written by a ghost writer, but the audiobook format helped me get over that, I think.