Product Description
Dark green leatherbound with gilt print. With introduction and notes. 62nd printing of 1909 book. In the book, which takes place between 1834 and 1836, Dana gives a vivid account of “the life of a common sailor at sea as… More >>
Two Years Before the Mast; and Twenty-four Years After
Written by admin on August 31st, 2010 in Literature & Fiction.
Tags: After, Before, Mast, Twentyfour, Years
I know many people cringe at the thought of reading a narrative that seems to greatly resemble Moby Dick, but I tell you this better than Moby Dick and easy makes it into my top ten books I have ever read! Occassionally the text bogs down in obscure sailing terms, but that is an exception and not a rule, otherwise, it is sheer poetry and lights the fire of wonder of exploration, and makes a sea voyage from almost 200 years ago spring to life. I give you my favorite short little passage, which explains it so much better.
“So quiet too, was the sea, and so steady the breeze, that if the sails had been sculptured marble they could not have been more motionless. Not a ripple upon the surface of the canvas; not even a quivering of the extreme edges of the sail, so perfectly were they distended by the breeze. I was so lost in the sight that I forgot the presence of the man who came out with me, until he said, ‘How quietly they do their work!’”
Dana so perfectly described sea life you will be a part of the crew, you will feel his fear, his wonder, his joy and his awe.
You will not regret reading this, philosophy disguised as a travelogue, a must-read!
Rating: 5 / 5
I reread this book about every three years. It never gets stale. It intertwines history, philosophy, and a personal travelogue in a book that is so well paced and entertaining to read that it is hard to imagine anyone that would not find it worthwhile. And if you are interested in sailing ships or what California was like in the 1830s, this is a must read.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is written by a Harvard lawyer about his experiences as a young man aboard a sailing ship in the 1830′s. It is a fascinating piece of California history as well as a firsthand look at the life of a sailor in the early 1800′s. It is extremely well written and includes a final dissertation about the powers of the captain and the rights of the common sailor.
Rating: 4 / 5
Great piece of history. Changed my perspective on California and who held it before the United States.
Rating: 4 / 5