Prince Harry's 'Spare' becomes fastest-selling nonfiction book ever as sales hit record-breaking figures
MONTE CITO, CALIFORNIA: 'Spare,' Prince Harry's raw and unflinching memoir, has broken the record for the fastest-selling nonfiction book of all time. According to Guinness World Records, the Duke of Sussex's revealing account of the royal family and his private life sold an astonishing 1.43 million copies on its first day of publication in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The previous record holder, 'A Promised Land' by former President Barack Obama, which sold 887,000 copies on its first day, was easily surpassed by Harry's book sales.
In 'Spare,' Prince Harry talks about his strained relationships with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, as well as the problems his marriage to Meghan Markle brought about, leading to his departure from the royal family in 2020. The prince also talks about his mother, Princess Diana, whom he lost at the age of 12, the loss of his virginity, his alcohol and drug use and his time as a British Army soldier in Afghanistan. Although 'Spare' has a cover price of $36, many retailers are offering discounts. As of January 14, the memoir was on sale at Amazon for $22.42.
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“As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry (Potter),” Larry Finlay, managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House, said in a statement, as reported by New York Post. The third book in JK Rowling's series, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,' presently holds the Guinness World Record for the book with the fastest sales ever after selling 8.3 million copies, or 345,833 volumes every hour, when it was published in July 2007. Penguin Random House revealed on January 11 that 'Spare' has become the fastest-selling nonfiction book in UK history.
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The royal family is allegedly attempting to discredit the Duke of Sussex's shocking memoir. During this week's appearance with Stephen Colbert, Colbert questioned Harry about if the rest of his family was "actively campaigning" "to destroy this book and you." Harry replied, "Of course," adding that "mainly British press" was to blame. Harry said, "Of course, again," when the late-night host questioned whether the pushback had also been "aided and abetted by the palace."
“This is the other side of the story, right? After 38 years. They’ve told their side of the story, this is the other side of the story. And there’s a lot in here that perhaps makes people uncomfortable and scared,” he said of his memoir, which follows earlier attacks on his family during numerous interviews and a six-part Netflix docuseries centered arounf his and wife Meghan Markle's relationship.
An official response from Buckingham Palace to 'Spare' has not yet been made. Michelle Obama's book 'Becoming,' which sold 725,000 copies on its first day, held the record for the best-selling nonfiction book prior to husband Barack Obama breaking it. Before 'Becoming,' Bill Clinton's 'My Life,' held the record by selling 400,000 copies upon its release in 2004, held the title. 'Living History,' Hilary Clinton's autobiography held the record before that, selling 200,000 copies on the first day of its release.