{"product_id":"far-from-me-9798897892945","title":"Far From Me","description":"\u003cp\u003eBased on a true story, Far From Me is a tale of friendship, romance and tragedy set against the backdrop of a country in the grip of an epic fight for survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the 3rd of September, 1939, the lives of two young Australians are changed forever when Neville Chamberlain declares that Britain is at war with Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn his farm in the outback of Victoria, fifteen-year-old Keith is wide-eyed at the news and bursting to hear what his schoolmates make of it. The announcement lands differently on the west coast, where the plans of Johnny and his young bride are put on hold when life in their hometown of Perth is disrupted by a huge influx of US troops and military hardware. Johnny's loyalties are torn between devotion to his new wife and duty to his country. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree years into the conflict, the paths of Keith and Johnny converge when they meet up in Canada during training for the Australian Air Force. Both are carrying scars from unexpected loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir friendship survives the excesses of Montreal nightlife, a treacherous Atlantic crossing and a sobering encounter with the makeshift drabness of wartime England. During bitter fighting at the turn of 1945, they join a rookie crew under the benevolent leadership of a veteran captain and find unexpected comfort in a sleepy market town in Southern England.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe crew graduate to operational missions flying Lancaster bombers. Through countless nerve-shredding moments, they discover the fine margins between survival and disaster before getting to savor the wild, euphoric release of VE Day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut fate is not finished with them yet. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMcLean, Adrian:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eAustralian born, Adrian McLean was raised and lived in England for most of his adult life and was privileged to spend an academic career at the University of Bath. His interest in cultural change in organizations led him to a career in consulting. He has published a number of books and articles in this field. He moved to Vermont in 2002 and then to Canada in 2017 where he now spends his retirement in the company of his wife and Border Collie. He enjoys being a grandfather, singing in a choir and writing fiction. Adrian's father served in the RAAF on Lancaster bombers towards the end of WW II. Far From Me was inspired by his experiences during the war.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Austin Macauley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52127762415890,"sku":"9798897892945","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_42a775be-dd3f-4672-bd7b-f7dc7bf59653.jpg?v=1773747308","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/far-from-me-9798897892945","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}