Welcome to another bonus episode of Calm History, an extra treat for my Silk Plus members.

In bonus episode number 66, I shared the story about the famous castaway, Alexander Selkirk,

who likely inspired the fictional story of Robinson Crusoe.

In this episode, I'll share this story about another famous castaway,

Philip Ashton, who also may have inspired a fictional story.

Additionally, you'll learn all about the notorious pirate, Ned Lowe,

as well as the famous kidnapping victim, Patty Hurst.

In the near future, I'll stitch together this episode with my prior episode about Alexander

Selkirk, so you can relax with a one-hour Silk Plus bonus episode all about famous castaways.

But for now, lean back, put up your feet, and settle into my time machine of

tranquility. I hope this episode distracts and relaxes your overactive brain squirrels.

The true story of the Pirate Ned Lowe and the Castaway, Philip Ashton.

In 1725, a dramatic survival story was published with the title, Ashton's Memorial.

The book told the story of a man named Philip Ashton, who had escaped from pirates, and then lived as a castoy on an island for about two years.

When this book was initially published back in 1725, many thought it was a tale of fiction.

Why? Well, in two words, bad timing. This book was a true story of a real castaway, but it was published six years after a very popular

fictional book about a fake castaway. Can you guess who this fake castaway was? Yeah, Robinson Crusoe, a character created by Daniel Defoe.

Of course, you and I know that Mr. Defoe based his novel on the true story of the

castaway Alexander Selkirk,

even though that, crusty old Defoe, refused to admit it.

Anyway, after the publication of Robinson Crusoe, the public thought that this new story about the castaway Philip Ashton

was just another fictional tale.

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