Omid Scobie

TW/CW: Racism, death of a parent, language.

RATING: 4/5

REVIEW:

Book Content:

Finding Freedom is a non-fiction book that tells the story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their meeting (and before) to sometime in 2022.

While I found this to be an interesting and well-researched book, I have to state up front that it is very biased. This is without a doubt a pro-Harry & Meghan book and readers should know that going into it. The authors are clearly very fond of the couple.

Nonetheless, if you read this book with a grain of salt it has a lot of interesting stories and insider information.

Sadly, it doesn’t cover anything after the death of Prince Phillip, which would have been interesting to read.

Audio Narration

This book is narrated by Omid Scobie, one of the authors. He does a very good job and is a pleasure to listen to. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I love his British accent, as well!… (meer)

I do not have a pony in this race but I do enjoy reading of Royal life, the history and its storied past is fascinating. Truth be told, much of what is told in this book has already been leaked or it's just old news. Also, with the key Royal players upholding to the adage "Never complain, never explain" this work does not portray both sides of the game.

It appears to me, Scobie's contact's believe the monarchy ain't what it used to be and now that HM Queen Elizabeth is deceased, it will not last much longer, maybe another generation, two tops. Perhaps that is why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to abandon ship at this time because they believe it's already sprung a leak and is doomed to sink.

The 14 hour audio version was just too too long. Scobie narrates his book and, side note, I love the way he pronounces all the letters in family and William.… (meer)

Endgame, by Omid Scobie, is the latest scurrilous tale of woes within the British Royal Family. I do, honestly, feel guilty about buying it; it’s putting money in the pockets of a journalist whom I don’t respect. However, there’s so much in the British tabloids – excerpts, reporting – that I let myself be led to purchase and read it. It was better and less scandalous than I expected. Scobie certainly does have well-placed sources close to the Royals, and some of his stories are interesting, and quite possibly true. I wish that there had been more photos in the book. Photos are something I always appreciate. Not a bad read, would recommend.… (meer)

Omid Scobie has a pleasant narrating voice and style. While I might not agree with everything he's stated, knowing this entire thing needs to be taken with a grain of extremely large salt, and that I think he missed a major point in the overall media/palace situation, he is obviously well versed in the situation (from the media angle and apparently from the Cambridge and Sussex viewpoint) and covers this topic well.

He also offers insight into the British tabloid / royal mindset - esp when covering the Royal Rota topic. As a Non-Brit this was interesting as the international press covers/views the situation somewhat differently, and certainly very much less adversarialy.

Major takeaways..
Before reading.. these are my takeaways, and opinions based on learning about the royals and British media (including Murdoch's meddling) over the decades, your mileage may vary and I don't expect anyone to agree with me.

1. The powers involved - media (incl the royal rota), courtiers (grey men), and the royals themselves are caught in a power vs. status quo situation that will likely be detrimental to them all.

2. Charles III needs to wake tf up.
* Fostering this internecine squabbles within the royal family is not going to end well

* Promoting Andrew - or at least not making sure he's out of public eye is not good.

* Edward and Sophie. ooh boy. Apparently other than Anne, none of these siblings (and E's wife) get the delicate balance, and seem distinctly myopic and ignorant within their privilege.

* Camilla - he needs to tamp on her machinations. Time to disregard the "rehabilitation" thing they've done for years. You are both now on the throne, wobbling things at the cost of your immediate family is beyond idiotic.

* Get over yourself and can the grudge holding. Applying that to your sons is bad.

3. Learned a lot about Prince William. Especially his apparent character.

* If I were a Brit I'd be concerned about what he will do after becoming King.

* Also mildly concerned about Catherine, in regards to William's apparent temperamental outbursts and displays of violence. Wealth doesn't insulate everything.

* His treatment of his brother over the Queen's passing (esp) mimics their Dad's grudge holding. Not a good look, or precursor for the future.

4. It seems that both Charles and William have inherited some of the less than stellar
character traits and views from Phillip.

5. Harry and Meagan seem to be better off out of the fishbowl, but will still have to deal with things on a family level. Also Charles' actions in their direction are dead wrong. You don't do that to your kids and grand kids when it comes to security concerns. (fwiw I thought that when he removed their security while they were in Canada with absolutely no notice - does he want them harmed? is he really that obtuse?)

* Exactly how much of an a** are you C3? (yeah he didn't come out well with me in this or other recently reported news)

6. The "throw any one else under the bus" press attitude evinced by the royals, is a bad approach overall, and they will likely do themselves in if someone doesn't step up and fix that problem. Making another heir, or important working royal (or anyone) look bad does not benefit anyone in the long run. It seems that they do not understand (as royals) that they are the product and can control the ENTIRE narrative. Showing an united front, choosing press adjuncts who are smarter than they have been and are, and lessening the bad tidbits, would be a good step in fixing this debacle. They also need to learn to communicate within their own ranks. They've not learned something that HRH Queen Elizabeth and her forebears understood in depth. (not saying to not roll with the times, just this is not good on any level for anyone)

There's more but that'll do for now.


I now "get", to some extent, the British public's distaste and sometimes animosity towards the tabloids and the royal establishment. In many ways this current situation between the media/palace/etc is a creation (however well meant originally) of Prince Phillip who I'm aware controlled much of the situation/outcomes throughout his life.

This is worth a read, or listen, if you are interested in the whole situation - even on a casual basis. Scobie cites sources where needed, seems to be doing his best to be transparent, and sticks to facts (as in he doesn't seem to go off into speculation except in one or two brief instances). He doesn't seem to be grinding an axe on any particular part of the royal family, but trying to report on the whole topic. I also don't think this is "Endgame" for the royal family, but do think they will need to adjust and adapt to survive; something the crown has done for centuries. But time will tell.

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My mom was an avid Royal watcher, whereas for me the social reporting is a passing item of news/frivolity. She asked me to keep up on things before she passed. So here I am keeping that promise.… (meer)