Spare by Prince Harry

I thought it time I review something contemporary, so this month I listened to Spare, narrated by the author, Prince Harry. I have always admired Prince Harry because of his military service in Afghanistan. When I was assigned in Bahrain in 2007-2008, I remember Prince Harry departing Afghanistan because his presence endangered his unit – he had become a high-value target after the media disclosed his deployment. I thought his willingness to leave showed strength of character, placing the safety of his unit above any personal ambition he might have had. I also really admired him for his efforts to support veterans and for establishing the Invictus games for wounded warriors.

If you are interested in Prince Harry’s military service, Spare will fill you in on all the details. It substantiated for me that Prince Harry is the real deal. He did not just join the military so he could wear the uniform. He earned the right to wear it and distinguished himself in combat.

Spare covers far more than Prince Harry’s military service. It covers the difficult years he spent in the aftermath of his mother’s tragic death, his romance with Megan Markel, and his strained relations with his family, particularly his father, King Charles (who I met and spoke with when he was the Prince of Wales at the College of William & Mary in 1981), and his brother, Prince William. I also did not understand how horrible the tabloids have been to Prince Harry and Megan, and the rest of the Royal family over the years. I cannot imagine not only living in a fishbowl, but also one where those reporting on life in the fishbowl do not feel constrained by the truth. That said, Prince Harry is far from perfect. He’s made some bad decisions in his life and he addresses those head on. 

What I take away from Spare is that Prince Harry is a person just like the rest of us in terms of emotions, desires, hopes, dreams, and fears. He wants the same things we do – to be happy, to raise and be part of a loving family, to be successful, and to make a difference. While I cannot relate to everything in his life, like the wealth, the ease of travel, the intense pressure from the tabloids, and being a royal, I can relate to his humanity. 

I am really glad I listened to Spare, especially since Prince Harry narrates it. Spare offers a sincere perspective from one of the most well-know public figures of our time. Now, when I hear news about Prince Harry and his family, I’ll be able to view it through a more informed lens. You can purchase Spare on Amazon by clicking here. I think you’ll find it well worth the investment.

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