{"product_id":"the-old-man-and-the-sea","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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57484201460085,"sku":"9781472121134","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472121134.jpg?v=1786266245","url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/the-old-man-and-the-sea","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}