{"product_id":"9780994624680","title":"Battered but Afloat","description":"\u003cp\u003eWwhen\u003cem\u003e Close to the Wind\u003c\/em\u003e, the first novel by New Zealand author Richard Granville McDonald was published, it was read enthusiastically. On ABC Radio South Australia, it was described as: ’... this very funny, this extraordinary book’.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eClose to the Wind\u003c\/em\u003e finished on a cliff-hanger and now the sequel has arrived … and the question of what happened to Ted MacPherson has finally been answered. In \u003cem\u003eBattered but Afloat\u003c\/em\u003e McDonald presents a timeline of Machiavellian proportions which covers the first 12 years of the 21st century and it reveals MI5, Russian spies, Australian Prime Ministers, political double dealing and feckless public servants. They're all in the mix. It is a fast-paced roller coaster which finally sees the irrepressible Ted MacPherson, the central character, get his just desserts.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThis book is terrific reading for the many who enjoyed \u003cem\u003eClose to the Wind\u003c\/em\u003e and have a keen eye, if not a little sympathy, for the antics and travails of an antipodean larrikan.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrallier Books Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47120371777776,"sku":"9780994624680","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780994624680_p0.jpg?v=1763898481","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780994624680","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}