Spare by Prince Harry — there are a lot of different opinions regarding this book and what he had to say. I remember all the media attention he had gotten for writing his autobiography/memoir (both positive and negative) when the book was first released. But most importantly, he shared his personal experiences, as he experienced them, and for that I commend him. ( )

I found this book interesting in ways that I never expected. I had no idea of the limited control that the monarchy offers the people within the family. To have to schedule times to see people to discuss issues and to have press agents working against each other is so sad. It was also sad to hear about all of the jealous and competition that the royal family holds for each other, but it makes sense when you think about it. I also had no idea that King Charles is the one who decides what events you are to attend and how much you are to be seen in public and controls what charities you are able to be part of. I can't blame Harry for wanting more freedom from a life like that. So often, in America, we are told that being a prince or princess is the ultimate life and something to aspire to. This book was a great eye opener of what a gilded cage it is. Whether you like HRH Harry or Megan Markle, you can get a sense of everything that he had to go through and how he found his passions. Regardless of what I feel about the royal family, I enjoyed this book and ended up with a greater understanding of royal life...and royal sacrifice. ( )

A bit overlong and more detail than I myself wanted, (especially the military section,) but still enlightening. And not at all the big whine-fest so many assume it to be.

Harry's life experience really IS unique in the extreme (and oftentimes it really HAS sucked in the extreme.) I think it's interesting to hear about it first-hand. There is no escaping his Celebrity Status, but regardless of that there is alot to be said for controlliing your own narrative...as the popularity of social media attests.

Given how Individualististic and Personal-Freedom obsessed Americans tend to be, it's odd more people don't appreciate how stifling it is to be a British Prince. ( Never mind that the intrusiveness of the tabloid press in America is nothing compared to how the royal family is hounded in the UK. )

Clearly, his mother's death and - perhaps even more so - the way everything related to it was handled compounded the inherent problems being Royal creates for a developing human. I think he's done a remarkable job fighting his way through all that, no thanks to the people who raised him.

I rather admire Harry for refusing to sacrifice his dreams and his selfhood to an institution and tradition that will eat him alive. And I admire his courage in 'going public,' as a fully-fleshed, feeling and flawed man instead of simply stepping into the person-shaped hole the monarchy prepared for him.

#audiobookstagram #bookstagram #spare ( )

I have to admit that I pretty much skimmed the first and second parts of the book. I was ready to put it down but started reading the third part which is how he met his wife and couldn't put it down. You can see how much they love each other. What they went through with the press and the lack of support from the royal family is very sad. ( )

I enjoyed this more than I expected. Prince Harry writes about his life, beginning with the dealth of his mother in 1997 and up to the point where he and his wife Meaghan split from the family to move to the U.S. ( )