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Two Years Before the Mast: A Personal Narrative of Life at Sea (Modern Library Classics)
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.452
EAN: 9780375757945
Edition: 1st
ISBN: 0375757945
Label: Modern Library
Manufacturer: Modern Library
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 544
Publication Date: October 09, 2001
Publisher: Modern Library
Release Date: October 09, 2001
Studio: Modern Library
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Editorial Review:
Tracing an awe-inspiring oceanic route from Boston, around Cape Horn, to the California coast, Two Years Before the Mast is both a riveting story of adventure and the most eloquent, insightful account we have of life at sea in the early nineteenth century. Richard Henry Dana is only nineteen when he abandons the patrician world of Boston and Harvard for an arduous voyage among real sailors, amid genuine danger. The result is an astonishing read, replete with vivid descriptions of storms, whales, and the ship's mad captain, terrible hardship and magical beauty, and fascinating historical detail, including an intriguing portrait of California before the gold rush. As D. H. Lawrence proclaimed, "Dana's small book is a very great book."
Two Years Before the Mast was praised by Ralph Waldo Emerson as: "a voice from the forecastle. Though a narrative of literal, prosaic truth, it possesses something of the romantic charm of Robinson Crusoe. Few more interesting chapters of the literature of the sea have ever fallen under our notice."
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A classic from the days of sail
This book has two distinct appeals--it is a compelling account of "the sailor's life" in 19th Century America as well as a historical account of 19th Century California. At the same time, this book is a classic and a thoroughly interesting narrative--one that influenced Herman Melville. It is also amazing to read the accounts of California before it was settled and became a state. It's pretty ironic that although the California coast is considered today to be one of the most beautiful parts of ... Read More
Rating:  - Reply to "Thar She Blows!" one star review
1. "The first half of the book was great" makes the book worth three stars, not one. "If for whatever reason, you wish to find out exactly how a sailor lived, then go ahead, its a great book." makes it a 4 star book.
2. The second half is even better than the first. It's the ONLY account of Mexican California by an American, but the descriptions couldn't be better written or more interesting, and not just because I'm a "Californico" (Spanish for resident of old California). I'm also a ... Read More
Rating: - Thrilling, tedious
It took me quite a while to read this book; I wouldn't call it a page turner. But I'm quite sure I will remember it as vividly as almost any book I've ever read. It is a very detailed, true description of an exceptional, very-well-educated young man's two year stint on a trading ship which sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to a very primitive, pre-Gold-Rush, California and back. There isn't a whole lot of suspense because we know, since it's a true story, that the author makes it back. And there ... Read More
Rating: - Everyone from California should read this
This is a good read for anyone who loves adventure and a great read for anyone interested in Californian history. More to the point, this book was *THE* book on California for Americans living between 1840 and 1860. Dana's insights into the culture, customs, and early history of California are fantastic, as are his predictions (one of which is that California would one day become an economic powerhouse).
This book was listed by National Geographic as one of the 100 best adventure books ... Read More
Rating: - A classic worth the effort
A book even a landlubber like me could love! Before the Mast is a name most of us have heard. I just assumed it was a novel until I read it on suggestion of one of the guides at Mystic Seaport during a recent visit. Dana was a brave 19 year old fellow to sign up voluntarily as a common sailor living before the mast on a hazardous trip from Boston to California around The Cape near Antartica. His account of the trip is justifiably enduring for many reasons including the description of pre gold rush unpopulated ... Read More
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