| Author |
Dana, Richard Henry, 1815-1882 |
| Author of introduction, etc. |
Keyes, Homer Eaton, 1875-1938 |
| Title |
Two Years Before the Mast
|
| Note |
See also PG#4277 with Introduction and afterword by Richard Henry Dana III
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.8 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
|
| Credits |
Produced by Robert E. Brewer. HTML version by Al Haines.
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| Summary |
"Two Years Before the Mast" by Richard Henry Dana is a personal narrative published in the early 19th century that chronicles the author's experiences as a common sailor. The memoir captures the life at sea, providing insights into the harsh realities and routines aboard a merchant ship during a voyage from Boston to California. Dana's account is marked by both a fascination with maritime adventure and a critical perspective on the treatment of sailors. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for Dana's journey as he prepares to leave for sea, highlighting his initial transformation from a land-dweller to a sailor. It describes his departure aboard the brig Pilgrim and introduces the ship's crew, illustrating the mix of anxiety and excitement that accompanies a young man's first foray into seafaring life. As Dana joins his fellow shipmates, he reflects on his past, particularly the health issues that led him to this path, and he begins to grapple with the challenges of nautical duties, weather changes, and the distinct culture among sailors. The initial chapters not only unveil Dana's personal challenges but also lay the groundwork for the novel's exploration of the broader life at sea, revealing a blend of adventure, camaraderie, and grueling labor. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
G: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation
|
| Subject |
Seafaring life
|
| Subject |
Dana, Richard Henry, 1815-1882
|
| Subject |
Voyages and travels
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| Subject |
Sailors
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2055 |
| Release Date |
Feb 1, 2000 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 31, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
803 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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