Deborah Thériault

My first book review on gmail, only because I really felt I must save you from this book. This book disappointingly falls short of expectations. The author's account of his time in Las Vegas, particularly his interactions with women, is at best cringe-worthy. His attempts to downplay these encounters as politeness ("I didn't want to be rude") are unconvincing, and the narrative becomes increasingly dense. The portrayal of the author's trip to Vegas to 'Carpe Diem' under peer pressure, only to shift blame onto the media for the ensuing situations, is questionable at best. The attempt to redirect attention to his friends during encounters with women and the episode of strip poker contribute to a narrative that is difficult to take seriously. The earlier explanation for ending up in a Nazi costume is equally perplexing. While the author purports to want change, the narrative reflects a lack of self-awareness regarding his own privilege. Despite speaking about a royal life as a supposed 'prison,' the author fails to acknowledge the inherent advantages and instead blames the media for his perceived struggles. The comparisons to the challenges faced by common individuals, especially veterans, come off as insensitive, given the stark differences in their life experiences. This marks the second book I've encountered by a white male in a position of privilege, and unfortunately, it follows a similar pattern. The narrative centers around personal hardships without a genuine acknowledgment of the inherent advantages, leaving the reader questioning the sincerity of the author's desire for change