"Spare" beats the press at its own game: excellent review of the book & US culture...

[BumRushDaShow]

131. I've been dodging around this thread but something you posted

triggered me to respond - "second sons".

And first one to come to mind was Prince Andrew, who I don't believe was mentioned here. He was a textbook description of a "second son" and his travails continue to this day.

Even if one completely removes the overlay of a monarchy, the human condition of sibling preferences by parents (real or perceived) is an old old practice that can cause all sorts of angst for all the siblings.

Watching Harry growing up in the spotlight, from birth to current, I saw a feisty, carefree, partying, often wild free spirit who had so much potential if only someone could "rope him in". Seems he obviously needed a level and type of attention that he was not getting after his mother died.

Hopefully this book is cathartic for him and now that he is a parent, he will further resolve his internal demons.

I did listen to an excerpt of the audio book version that he narrated and it was intriguing to say the least.