Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor’s Life at Sea
by Richard Henry Dana Jr.
Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea by Richard Henry Dana Jr. holds a well received rating of 3.96 out of 5, based on 8.5K reader ratings. First published in 1840. The book spans 458 pages.
About Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea
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.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.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Richard Henry Dana Jr. |
| Published | 1840 |
| Pages | 458 |
| Genres | History, Classics, Non-Fiction, Travel, Biography & Memoir |
| Average Rating | 3.96 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 8,492 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea?
Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea is categorized as History, Classics, Non-Fiction, Travel. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea worth reading?
Based on 8.5K reader ratings, Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea has an average score of 3.96 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea?
Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea has 458 pages.
Who wrote Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea?
Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea was written by Richard Henry Dana Jr.. It was first published in 1840.
What is the ISBN for Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea?
The ISBN-13 for Two Years Before the Mast: A Sailor's Life at Sea is 9781402179620.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
