Two Years before the Mast: A Personal Narrative of Life at Sea

Dana Jr., Richard Henry

ISBN 10: 0451514351 / ISBN 13: 9780451514356

Published by Signet Classics, 1981

About this Item

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Seller Inventory # S_474970556

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Two Years before the Mast: A Personal Narrative of Life at Sea
• Publisher: Signet Classics
• Publication Date: 1981
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0451514351
• ISBN 13: 9780451514356
• Binding: mass_market
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

In 1834, a Harvard student enlisted as a common seaman--the result was this adventure classic. Crackling with realism, it offers memorable views of a dangerous voyage, vividly describing storms, whales, an insane captain, excruciating hardships, and magical beauty, as well as fascinating historical detail, including a portrait of California before the gold rush.

From the Inside Flap

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."