beverlea ventress
asked:
Has anyone read this yet, & if they have, what would their review be ? It’s not the sort of book I would normally buy so a review, or a few reviews, would be helpful. Diolch yn Fawr. Thank you.
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Nicolette Chinomona
I just finished reading it, I read it in two parts, the first, up until just after he met Meghan and then the rest of it this morning. I am not usually one to read non-fiction, unless it is work related, I typically read high-fantasy. I couldn't put the book down, it was real... and down to earth, it wasn't self-aggrandizing, it wasn't scandalous, it was just down to earth.
It was thoughtful and well written. It makes you reflect on one's own life, because at the core of the book are issues everyone deals with in their own families and own personal lives.
It was thoughtful and well written. It makes you reflect on one's own life, because at the core of the book are issues everyone deals with in their own families and own personal lives.
Laura
I just completed the audiobook (narrated by Prince Harry) and found it riveting. I rated it 5 stars and highly recommend it
Nickie
Just finished it. Go into it knowing it's a stream of consciousness from his perspective. It is his story, told in his words, by him.
Whilst the excerpts the press jumped on made me thing he was airing too much dirty laundry, reading (or listening to it in my case) showed me that he just wanted his side out there. Something he has never been able to do. He lays it bare and essentially says make up your own mind. If you are interested in him (good or indifferent) give it a go. If not steer clear.
Whilst the excerpts the press jumped on made me thing he was airing too much dirty laundry, reading (or listening to it in my case) showed me that he just wanted his side out there. Something he has never been able to do. He lays it bare and essentially says make up your own mind. If you are interested in him (good or indifferent) give it a go. If not steer clear.
MARY
Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. Don’t be put off by the media commentary. It’s a terrific book. It’s raw, funny, emotional & uplifting all at the same time. I highly recommend it. It was a really enjoyable read.
Angi
I really liked it. I decided to listen to the audio since he did it himself. It was very captivating to me. He speaks a lot about the trauma the press in England has put him through. The first section is his pre-military life, the 2nd is mostly about the military and the 3rd is all about he & Meghan. If you don't like him, it might help you understand him better. If you are interested learning about him, it does not disappoint. He talks about a lot of things in his life. To me, this feels like his way of getting his story about everything out there. It felt like it was important to him after being hushed his entire life to support his grandma, father and elder brother. It felt like a reminder that he is his own person and has merit beyond being the spare. I have a full review on Goodreads as well.
Gabriele
When you should not read this book:
if you don't want to immerse yourself in a life that is fundamentally different from the life of the ordinary citizen,
if you expect a member of the royal family to express himself in his subjective memoirs like Shakespeare
if you get gasps at the word penis (yes, he uses this word to describe a part of his body, omg)
But as I've found, many of those who set themselves up as reviewers haven't read the book anyway. So everyone rather blow up their own ego by judging the (subjective) experience of a member of the royal family I give the advice: don't read the book but write a review.
For the others: I recommend the audiobook. He certainly has talent as a reader, and some of the things that might come across as harsh in the book he performs with a subtile wit in the audiobook version.
if you don't want to immerse yourself in a life that is fundamentally different from the life of the ordinary citizen,
if you expect a member of the royal family to express himself in his subjective memoirs like Shakespeare
if you get gasps at the word penis (yes, he uses this word to describe a part of his body, omg)
But as I've found, many of those who set themselves up as reviewers haven't read the book anyway. So everyone rather blow up their own ego by judging the (subjective) experience of a member of the royal family I give the advice: don't read the book but write a review.
For the others: I recommend the audiobook. He certainly has talent as a reader, and some of the things that might come across as harsh in the book he performs with a subtile wit in the audiobook version.
Janet
I loved it. Couldn’t put it down. And it made me much more sympathetic to PH.
Lonnah A
The book will release on 10th January 2023. Disregard any "reviews". They are from trolls.
Danna Wroblewski
This is an amazing book!!! Harry, has put his own story out in his own words. From his experiences dealing with the death of his mother, entering the military, and then his life after that military career was derailed due to constant interference from the media. The further I read into this book, the more I grew to appreciate all the work he put into becoming the man he is today. A veteran, an explorer, an advocate, a husband, a father, and a voice for those dealing with mental health. He is an example for those who find themselves wanting to achieve the life they want regardless of the forces that attempt to discredit and silence them.
Paul Johnston
I've just finished it. The writing style of the ghostwriter sounds nothing like Harry, except perhaps the copious swearing. If you've heard Harry speak, like the recent interviews, you'll already know he's incapable of waxing lyrical at all. He also admits he's not academic, not a 'book reader', so I laughed at his description of a situation being 'Freudian or Jungian'. Unfortunately there's a lot of this nonsense - flowery writing that just isn't Harry at all.... more like Meghan.
Several things are prominent:
1. Harry doesn't take responsibility for anything;
2. Harry has been using all manner of drugs since his days as a schoolchild at Eton and apparently continues to do so;
3. Harry thinks a coterie of Close Protection Officers somehow makes him more important and it's obvious he misses the status now he has to pay for them himself.
4. Harry spares no-one in his immediate family from attack and few of his extended family relatives. Even the acknowledgements page is memorable with not a single shred of recognition to anyone in his family at all.
5. Despite it being 27 years since his mother's sad death, Harry has no compunction about bringing her name into nearly every chapter, no matter how spurious a link he can think up.
6. The acknowledgements page praises someone "for her superb fact-checking". This is amusing in light of the anomalies that have already been brought to light in the press in just the last two days. For example, Harry's flowery description of learning of the Queen Mother's death whilst in his room at Eton when, in fact, he was skiing in Klosters with his brother and father at the time (as the photos prove).
7. There's stuff missing and stuff carefully fudged, i.e. deliberately obtuse and devoid of fact. For example, he mentions 2 tours of Afghanistan but doesn't make it clear how little of each tour he completed. He talks of piloting a helicopter but not once clarifies whether he ever qualified as pilot in the Apache helicopter. My info is that he didn't, and remained co-pilot/gunner until he left. It's deliberately fuzzy to paint him in a better light. It's 'his truth', not 'the truth'.
All in all, I was hoping for a sensible, balanced and factual account from his perspective but, instead, found just a very long whinge, interspersed with many, many tales of privileged tomfoolery including lots of drinking and drug-taking. To be frank, he comes across as deeply troubled - despite therapy - and selfishly unpleasant.
Several things are prominent:
1. Harry doesn't take responsibility for anything;
2. Harry has been using all manner of drugs since his days as a schoolchild at Eton and apparently continues to do so;
3. Harry thinks a coterie of Close Protection Officers somehow makes him more important and it's obvious he misses the status now he has to pay for them himself.
4. Harry spares no-one in his immediate family from attack and few of his extended family relatives. Even the acknowledgements page is memorable with not a single shred of recognition to anyone in his family at all.
5. Despite it being 27 years since his mother's sad death, Harry has no compunction about bringing her name into nearly every chapter, no matter how spurious a link he can think up.
6. The acknowledgements page praises someone "for her superb fact-checking". This is amusing in light of the anomalies that have already been brought to light in the press in just the last two days. For example, Harry's flowery description of learning of the Queen Mother's death whilst in his room at Eton when, in fact, he was skiing in Klosters with his brother and father at the time (as the photos prove).
7. There's stuff missing and stuff carefully fudged, i.e. deliberately obtuse and devoid of fact. For example, he mentions 2 tours of Afghanistan but doesn't make it clear how little of each tour he completed. He talks of piloting a helicopter but not once clarifies whether he ever qualified as pilot in the Apache helicopter. My info is that he didn't, and remained co-pilot/gunner until he left. It's deliberately fuzzy to paint him in a better light. It's 'his truth', not 'the truth'.
All in all, I was hoping for a sensible, balanced and factual account from his perspective but, instead, found just a very long whinge, interspersed with many, many tales of privileged tomfoolery including lots of drinking and drug-taking. To be frank, he comes across as deeply troubled - despite therapy - and selfishly unpleasant.
Jina
If you want to save your money, you can borrow it from your local library.
Libby Shaw
I'm not a big reader but I read it in 4 days over several sessions. I couldn't put it down either like many others. I highly recommend it because it really provides great detail about Harry's life from childhood without the media spin. I also gave it a five star review after finishing it last night.
Abraham
The book has been out for a while. I presume many have read it, or tried to read it. It is rather droll. No I don't care about sides in the royal quarrels... it is just simply not a good read and I think that it has been selling well only because of who he is. Still, I guess it may end up worth money in a hundred years or so, again, simply because of who he was.
Mike
I'm halfway through the audiobook and enjoying it. The most important thing to remember is that he has a good reason to mention 'scandalous' things about his past (penis, drugs, page 3 models, etc.). This was all "exposed" years ago by the tabloid press.
This book is his chance to correct the facts that were manipulated and twisted by the press... and a chance to reflect on what kind of press articles we consumers choose to buy, read, believe and share.
It also feels like a long, cathartic letter written to "the Firm", his family, and us.
This book is his chance to correct the facts that were manipulated and twisted by the press... and a chance to reflect on what kind of press articles we consumers choose to buy, read, believe and share.
It also feels like a long, cathartic letter written to "the Firm", his family, and us.
Sophia McIntyre
I just finished it. I have the audio version. I thought it was very well done. Im usually a strict Horror genre kinda girl but this had me wondering,
Marina
I liked Prince Harry before reading this book. Even though I don't agree with the very public airing of dirty laundry... I don't like him at all now. That's as honest as I can get.
Megan
This book isn't out yet.
Ros Scap
Get the Audible on a free-trial so that you don't have to pay. By the way, I like it.
Patricia Martin
I read it and liked it. Who are we to judge this young man for what he has written? We haven't lived his life as a Royal, under the spot light, nor have many of us lost our mothers at the age of 12; nor have we had to live with the British press spying on us, following us, harassing us and then printing lies about us. Harry has used his voice to tell the world what has happened to him since he was born. We may not like what we are reading, but he is entitled to tell his story and it has probably been a very cathartic experience for him.
Amanda
I'm a little over a hundred pages into it now. I am typically not a huge afficionado of the royal family and haven't previously had much of an opinion about Harry one way or the other, but so far I'm enjoying the book and would say it's worth trying if you can go into it without any preconceived biases against the author, which seems to be a problem for a lot of "reviewers" here.
Karen
It isn't a totally bad read, though parts of it were silly and others were downright cringe-worthy.
My major issue with the whole thing is that Harry claims his motivation for the book was reconciliation with his father, brother and other members of his family.
Seriously?
If he had really grown up or healed in the last couple years, he'd realize how delusional that is. It makes me suspicious of the whole book - and his subsequent media events - as a result.
My major issue with the whole thing is that Harry claims his motivation for the book was reconciliation with his father, brother and other members of his family.
Seriously?
If he had really grown up or healed in the last couple years, he'd realize how delusional that is. It makes me suspicious of the whole book - and his subsequent media events - as a result.
Mirna Liz Ditlevsen
Waste of money.
Whining book.
Suggest borrowing from the library.
Whining book.
Suggest borrowing from the library.
Rebecca
FYI publishers have a certain number of copies that they give to reviewers prior to any books release, so even though in this case many of the reviews may be fake, in general reviews prior to the publish date are legit.
Lady Hermione
It's already half price in the UK.
Letha
I just finished the audio book and gave it a 4*.....3 1/2 actually and rounded up to 4. I was not personally interested or invested in Harry but interested in the monarchy and its empire building from a historical perspective. So this did make an interesting reading to hear from someone inside the monarchy who is questioning its 'institutional' functioning now. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Stephanie
I am the opposite of a royal watcher. I had no intention of reading, but then I saw that it was written by JR Moehringer—who is a brilliant non-fiction writer—followed by a great review in the New Yorker (or was it New York?). Anyway, I'm about halfway through and am fascinated by stories of the British Army, travels to Africa, and his adventures. There's a little gossip here and there, but thus far, nothing about his dad. A couple of digs at bro and Camilla. Most barbs are aimed at the British press. And I guess they're understandable given the amount of lies that have been told and his desire to set the record straight.
Ay
I read it all in one sitting. You hear his voice through the text. It's very much about putting his side of everything out there, and spelling out his issue with the media and the courtiers.
There have been comments that he overshares in places, (ie about his frost bitten penis, loss of virginity) but I took it has him setting it out pre-emptively.
It's also worth reading Andre Agassi's memoir, which is done by the same ghost writer.
The ghost writer also recently wrote an article in the new yorker about ghost writing and Harry's memoir which is worth a read.
There have been comments that he overshares in places, (ie about his frost bitten penis, loss of virginity) but I took it has him setting it out pre-emptively.
It's also worth reading Andre Agassi's memoir, which is done by the same ghost writer.
The ghost writer also recently wrote an article in the new yorker about ghost writing and Harry's memoir which is worth a read.
Deborah Underwood
I loved it and highly recommend it! Don't miss out on this fascinating read.
Sue Coome
I just finished listening to it. I enjoyed Prince Harry as the narrator. I recommend the book if you have any interest in the life of a royal. I for one am glad that I'm just a common person.
Alexandra
Give it a pass! It is full of nonsense and things that aren't even true (which has been proven by photographic evidence).
Judith
I downloaded a sample from Barnes & Noble for my Nook r-reader and am considering reading it. The sample is very well-written and compelling. Are you Welsh?
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