{"title":"Ben McGrath","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the captivating works of \u003cem\u003eBen McGrath\u003c\/em\u003e, a distinguished author celebrated for his insightful explorations into human stories. Known primarily for his contributions to \u003cstrong\u003ebiography\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ememoir\u003c\/strong\u003e genres, McGrath invites readers into compelling narratives that blend vivid storytelling with meticulous research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis notable work, \u003cem\u003eRiverman\u003c\/em\u003e, exemplifies his talent for crafting immersive tales. This engaging book dives deep into the life of adventurer Dick Conant, chronicling his mysterious journey through America's waterways with a deft touch that balances intrigue and empathy. Through McGrath’s sharp prose and keen eye for detail, readers embark on an unforgettable journey that unravels the enigma of Conant’s life and adventures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a fan of personal histories or fascinating life stories, the works of Ben McGrath offer a richly textured experience that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. Immerse yourself in his world and discover the art of storytelling at its finest.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"riverman-by-ben-mcgrath-9780008221164","title":"Riverman","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Brilliant, clear, and humane’ Elizabeth Gilbert, author of \u003cem\u003eEat, Pray, Love\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Miraculous and hopeful’ Emma Straub, author of \u003cem\u003eAll Adults Here\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Quietly profound … belongs on the shelf next to Jon Krakauer’s \u003cem\u003eInto the Wild\u003c\/em\u003e’ \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRiverman: An American Odyssey\u003c\/em\u003e uncovers the story of an extraordinary man and his puzzling disappearance, and paints a picture of the singular spirit of America’s riverbank towns.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘The peace of mind I found, largely alone, on that white-water mecca convinced me that life was capable of exquisite pleasure and undefined meaning deep in the face of failure. The experience itself is the reward.’ \u003c\/em\u003e– Dick Conant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn his forty-third birthday, Dick Conant, a golden boy who never quite grew up as those around him expected, stepped into a homemade boat to embark on a journey despite a gathering snowstorm. Among his possessions was a Gideon Bible and biographies of Einstein and Bismarck. It was the beginning of an all-consuming odyssey by an unconventional man into the watery arteries of America, a journey to the unreported margins of society. He was to spend the next twenty years canoeing thousands of miles of rivers and their innumerable smaller tributaries, from one end of the country to the other. ‘I can, and I will!’ he said. And then, in 2014, he disappeared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNot long before Conant’s upturned canoe was found in a brackish North Carolina bay, Ben McGrath met Conant by chance as he paddled down the Hudson, headed for Florida. McGrath set out to find the people whose lives, like his own, had been touched by their encounter with the great river wanderer. Along the way, he meets eccentrics and ne’er-do-wells drawn straight from the pages of Mark Twain, a vast network of friends and acquaintances who would forever remember this brilliant and charming man even after a single meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRiverman\u003c\/em\u003e is the story of a restless soul who was as troubled as he was charismatic, a contemporary folk hero who slips the moorings of ordinary civilised life to tap into what Thoreau called ‘a yearning toward all wildness.’ It is also a riveting portrait of an America we rarely see: a nation of unconventional characters, small river towns, and long forgotten waterways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46532643651820,"sku":"9780008221164","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/25131543482190.jpg?v=1749323891"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/ben-mcgrath.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}