{"product_id":"9781472121134","title":"The Old Man and the Sea","description":"\u003cp\u003eOctogenarian Anthony Smith's journey was originally inspired by both the Kontiki Expedition of Thor Heyerdahl (who he knew) and the incredible story of the survivors of a 1940 boat disaster, who spent 70 days adrift in the Atlantic, eventually reaching land emaciated and close to death. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile this might sound like a voyage no-one would wish to emulate, to octogenarian Anthony Smith it sounded like an adventure, and he placed a typically straightforward advertisement in the Telegraph that read \"Fancy rafting across the Atlantic? Famous traveller requires 3 crew. Must be OAP. Serious adventurers only.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn his inimitable style, Smith details their voyage and the hardships they endured with a matter-of-fact air that makes his story seem all the more impressive. His advanced age allows him a wider perspective not only on the journey but on life itself, and his never-say-die attitude to the difficulty of the journey is inspirational. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Old men ought to be explorers' said T.S. Eliot, and this book certainly gives a compelling argument in his favour. It is both a great story (a huge storm on the final night of the voyage almost wrecked them on a reef) and a call to action for the older generation - do not go quietly, says Anthony Smith, but seek out adventure as long as you are able.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hachette Book Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47049428697328,"sku":"9781472121134","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781472121134_p0.jpg?v=1772805491","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781472121134","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}