Two Years Before the Mast is a book by the American author Richard Henry Dana; Jr.; written after a two-year sea voyage starting in 1834 and published in 1840. While at Harvard College; Dana had an attack of the measles which affected his vision. Thinking it might help his sight; Dana; rather than going on a Grand Tour as most of his fellow classmates traditionally did (and unable to afford it anyway) and being something of a non-conformist; left Harvard to enlist as a common sailor on a voyage around Cape Horn on the brig Pilgrim. He returned to Massachusetts two years later aboard the Alert (which left California sooner than the Pilgrim). He kept a diary throughout the voyage; and; after returning; he wrote a recognized American classic; Two Years Before the Mast; published in 1840; the same year of his admission to the bar.
#570647 in Books BookSurge Publishing 2009-01-22 2009-01-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x .56 x 8.00l; 1.10 #File Name: 1439222428246 pagesISBN13: 9781439222423Condition: NewNotes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. One of the most important books ever writtenBy loc doggThis book is truely one of the most important books ever written and is essential reading for humanity's next major paradigm shift. It is very well-written; well-researched and easily-readable. Far too long we have been blinded by corrupt organizations telling us what to believe while the divinity of nature has been demonized/criminalized. This book does an amazing job of exposing the Catholic Church; which is largely responsible for ruining our spirituality and our potential as a species. With their disgusting monopoly of religion; they have tortured and murdered those that go against the beliefs of the church for centuries. There is obviously nothing Godly or holy about their actions and (with the help of this book) it is time people wake up to the reality that the church is nothing but pharisees and pedophiles and it is time for people to realize we are all one (including nature); we are all divine beings and we have much to learn from nature if we ever want to reach our full potential as a species and as spiritual beings. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it and share it with as many people as possible; help inspire the next (and most essential) paradigm shift.59 of 61 people found the following review helpful. Paradigm ShiftBy Truth SeekerI grew up Christian my whole life. I was a preacher's kid; and even went to a Christian University. As the years progressed; I never really felt that connection to Jesus as I expected. I began to question and doubt myself as to whether something was wrong with me. As I sat in Bible/Christian related classes; the answers given simply seemed to lead to more questions. Things didn't add up for me. The miracles; the words; the interpretations/variations of many things.I began to study myself introspectively. I stopped going to Church and saw it for what it was. Any time ideas came up out of the norm; I would attempt to discuss them with my friends. Obviously; due to their being in the Christian environment too it had a clear bias towards the scripture. Everything and every answer was supposedly contained from within God's Word. They could pull passages; chapters; books to support their ideas; but it still didn't give me a fulfilling answer. I found many answers to my questions in this book. This book has changed my perceptions on what Christianity is (and isn't) forever.I've taken apologetics classes; "Christian Evidences" classes and they simply do not address what is in this book at all. It is a stream of knowledge so guarded over thousands of years (older than the supposed time of Christ himself). Nothing in this book is mainstream; and I find that to be a great thing. If you seek truth; this book is a must.Contained inside you'll find very detailed information cited with footnotes. You can tell the authors have taken the time to thoroughly flesh out their conclusions. The progression of the book starts in the law of Duality; then Astrology (or Astrotheology as the title indicates) as the "Part 1" to the book. This isn't your basic useless vague horoscope Astrology you see in a newspaper; I'll tell you that. Read the footnotes; if you have questions then reference the books that are cited. The "Part 2" of the book covers the suppression of information over thousands of years by specific groups of people. Within; you will find several detailed pictures of ancient and modern symbolism hidden within. Unless you have a guide; or the key to reading into the details you'd never understand what they meant and would just think "oh; that's a nice piece of old art." The authors do an excellent job weaving their tapestry with the golden thread of knowledge. Once you see what they have to offer in this book; you will not see the world the same ever again. That's not to scare you off; but rather encourage you to think for yourself not what a person of "authority" in scriptures tells you. It is only the tip of the iceberg of information; but a great starting place for those who want to understand why things are the way they are today. The best $$ I've spent in my life!16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. In-depth and thoroughBy AramateIf you are already familiar with non-mainstream thought and analysis; you will truly love this book and get something from every word. If you are at all unwilling to consider alternatives to the judeo-christian concepts of spirituality; then prepare to have your beliefs shaken. If you are on the alternative spiritual path and looking to slowly open your friends and loved ones in to new ways for them to think; I would recommend starting a little slower than this book and maybe with something like "Pagans and Christians" by Gus diZerega; a little bit more of an "easing" into it; if you will. Astrotheology and Shamanism is a FANTASTIC book; but for someone who has never thought beyond the widely accepted dogmatic religious views in our society; it may be a little over-whelming. Plus; some of the commentary by the authors is a little on the angry side (at the beginning) and if someone is for the first time "dipping their toe" into alternative ways of thinking; it may scare them away or put them off the book -which would be a real shame. I give it 5 stars because the information contained within is brilliantly laid out; and fascinating to absorb. It is truly inspiring to read; and for me; was a page turner. The only less than glowing thing I can say is that by Chapter 9; the book has beaten its point so hard that it's gotten redundant; and honestly; if you're still reading at Ch. 9; you're probably already convinced. It does pick back up though by ch. 10. Highly recommend to my fellow spiritual seekers out there; a must for every pagan library!
