In 1834; Richard Henry Dana Jr. left the comforts of Boston for the hardships and abuses of the most exploited segment of the American working class. Dana’s account of his passage around Cape Horn to California; and back; is a remarkable portrait of the seagoing life: the day-to-day routines and conversations; the sailors who manned the ship; the brutality of incompetent officers; and the style of life in the newly emerging coastal towns of California. As Thomas Philbrick discusses in his introduction; the public’s sympathy for the plight of mariners; which was aroused by the book; eventually faded; but Two Years Before the Mast forever changed readers’ romanticized perceptions of life at sea and inaugurated a lasting tradition of realism and concern for human values.
#457676 in Books 1999-07-01 1999-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.72 x .56 x 5.08l; .40 #File Name: 0140280561199 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Take time to read this before you go.By kathy bishopThis book is full of excellent info for those traveling to the Canyon. Knowing the history of the Canyon through explorers; scientists and those with political interest helped to appreciate the value of this Grand and thought provoking American icon.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Heather H.the story is much more complicated than we ever imagined0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Rebecca ModrellGood experience
