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Two Years Before the Mast: And Twenty-Four Years After | 
 enlarge | Author: Richard Henry Dana
Publisher: The Narrative Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy Used: $4.56
You Save: $20.39 (82%)
New (22) Used (22) Collectible (1) from $4.56
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 959064
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.5 x 1
ISBN: 1589761022
Dewey Decimal Number: 359
EAN: 9781589761025
ASIN: 1589761022
Publication Date: July 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Very Good soft cover, strong bind, firm, intact, clean, slight shelf wear, low price, fast shipping!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Book Description
Avast there all you Patrick O'Brian fans! Here is a personal narrative of the seaman's life in the age of sail: 1815-1882, and a classic of nautical literature. Dana was a Harvard student recovering from the measles when he decided it would be more interesting to do so at sea as a common sailor. In 1834 he joined a two-year voyage rounding Cape Horn to deliver cargo to California. All the color and detail of daily life at sea as well as descriptions of various ports. Rousing!
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great historical book August 12, 2007
Great piece of history. Changed my perspective on California and who held it before the United States.
Great piece of history August 20, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
 One of my favorite books June 19, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
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.
Fantastic, You Must Read This! February 20, 2002
45 out of 47 found this review helpful
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!
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