Charles Spencer's book Diana Swan Song etc etc . Thread the second.

Who bears the cost of the edit and reprint?

It wouldn't be totally uncommon to have a new, updated version go on sale. I've a few books where I have two copies because a second edition was released with an edit or correction (or two).

The big question will be if the current stock gets pulled off the shelves.

I think the point you make about Robert Fellowes is very true. That also makes it verydisrespectful to his sister Jane. She has never, ever, spoken out, so he knows she's unlikely to do so now.

And given that she lived in the grounds of Kensington Palace, as well as her husband's job, she is actually likely the one of the siblings the most aware of all the goings on, around the funeral and before and after.

It's more that he's angry about the lies; he's accused of something as an editor which occurred 2 years before he had that job.

So not sure what version will be available to purchasers.

The book has been on sale in bookstores since 22nd September.

It was also available to pre-order on Amazon, so presumably those pre-orders have been honoured, as there has been nothing said otherwise, and there is no information regarding any books being withdrawn.

Edited to add the comment to which I was replying.

Blimey, Piers Morgan is not to be messed with 😳
I imagine he disapproves of people milking Diana’s memory in general, they were sort of friends I think.

Ok thanks

@Cathandkin it’s been widely reported that there will be editing and reprinted. According to The Independent. So not sure what version will be available to purchasers.

Thank you @BasiliskStare for the link and thank you @bluegreygreenfor the archive link.

Two things struck me here aside from what we have already discussed at length about the inaccuracies in the book. One was why on Earth did he feel it necessary to take a couple of pot shots at the Princess Royal? It seems like a bit of clichéd characterisation of her personality for someone with whom he clearly has had limited interaction. The second was how obvious it is that he has waited for the passing or Robert Fellowes before writing this book. A lot of his claims about the funeral arrangements run contrary to what Fellowes, acting as go between, helped to arrange. It really makes the whole thing come across as an exercise in pettiness and point scoring as well as exposing the bias in his recollections

I completely agree that CS is entitled to centre himself in a book.

But I would think it more honest if he hadn’t used her face and said ‘my sister’ on the front cover.

It is like false advertising to me.

I think Spencer has been very calculating, and is determined to disrupt, get the headlines and cause problems. Perhaps it makes him feel important and worthwhile. He may well feel guilty because he fell out with Diana and their relationship was often strained and difficult.
Who knows. Unfortunately, the book isn't accurate and I doubt Spencer will correct the errata.

So what if it's only a "small portion" of the book? Still controversial, deliberately hurtful and completely without evidence.

Thank you. That seems a balanced review.

As with similar books the lurid headlines are only a small portion of the book. It is clear this book centres CS rather than Diana. As the author CS is free to do that.

@Cathandkin I think some of his memories are more about long held views he has regarding the RF and Charles and newspapers. It’s similar to Harry - vastly expensive court case with nothing to show for it because he had no evidence. He had feelings and supposition but that’s not enough. Spencer is the same. He’s set himself up against the king and he’s not reflected on anything in 30 years. He’s also had little influence on Harry and William and he’s hardly a positive role model anyway. So he’s sidelined and not really in William’s life or that of his dc. So he takes an angry swipe because he’s not got much credence left!

If I was William I’d be furious. Spencer simply doesn’t care about anyone other than himself. William will maintain a dignified silence over this book but who needs all this stuff raked over yet again?

@BasiliskStare @FunPartyIdeas regarding his different memories of their childhood - it just occurs to me that his perspective maybe totally skewed.

He is the longed for son of a man who was determined to have one, regardless of his wife's health, while Diana was the 3rd daughter of a man increasingly desperate to have a son. Their treatment and parental affection was unlikely to be similar. Charles was the golden child - the future Earl. Diana was yet another girl.

Did Spencer acknowledge this in the book?

That's the thing. I watched the documentary on The Salt Path, and it featured someone who previously worked at PRH. She said they rarely fact check.

In fact, after the The Salt Path controversy blew up - the book went back to the top of the bestseller lists. That's the bottom line PRH will care about - will it sell?

Have just read that review, linked elsewhere, @BasiliskStare.

It is very clear and dispassionate.

Archive link here https://archive.ph/PMWsO

Agree. A bit like how he has approached his “apology” to PM. He grudgingly admitted that he might have got the dates wrong but followed this up by doubling down on the fact that Morgan was surly and snarled. Completely minimising the fact that he was wrong. Not how to win friends and influence people

It speaks of arrogance, who would question me? I am always right, I am titled and important. Whereas a bit of fact checking would have gone a long way.

Rather like Harry in Spare he has relied too much on a faulty memory and prob never even thought he need to check it.

It's actually quite interesting as an instance of how time changes our memories. Because I believe he believes he is telling the unvarnished truth.

The veneers are off the scale on both of them, so distracting.

I also think Charles’s Spencer may have had a few tweaks, I know he has lost weight, but I do think he may have been in a plastic surgeons clinic, you don’t lose hooded eyelids from weight loss.

The best I get from my siblings is ‘aye, you look alright’.

I’m not sure I would welcome ‘ravishing’ from them.

Spencer focuses on her appearance too much, imo. Her beauty is often referred to, her bone structure, and at one point he calls her "ravishing". I didn't like that at all.