The Complete Two Years Before the Mast

by Richard Henry Dana
The Complete Two Years Before the Mast cover
Good Books rating 4.25
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  • ID: 1248
  • Added: 2025-10-01
  • Updated: 2025-10-01
  • Reviews: 2
Reviews
abebooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-15
captivating 4.50

The reviewer praises the book for its vivid descriptions and historical insights, making it a compelling read for those interested in maritime history. They appreciate the detailed accounts and the author's personal experiences, which bring the era to life.

The reviewer finds The Complete Two Years Before the Mast to be a captivating journey through the past, thanks to its rich and vivid descriptions. The author's personal experiences and detailed accounts of life at sea during that era make the book a treasure trove for history enthusiasts. They particularly enjoy the way the narrative brings the period to life, offering a unique perspective on maritime history. However, they note that the book might be dense for some readers due to its historical details, but for those interested in the subject, it is a rewarding read.

Quick quotes

    The book is a treasure trove for history enthusiasts.

    The author's personal experiences and detailed accounts of life at sea during that era make the book a treasure trove for history enthusiasts.

    The narrative brings the period to life, offering a unique perspective on maritime history.

rwszupzmsadbjqghhiwjxwntmpecjm.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-15
captivating 4.00

The book is a classic adventure tale of six men surviving at sea, encountering dangers and discovering new marine life. The narrative is compelling, with a strong main character and storyline that pulls the reader through the facts, making it enjoyable despite some outdated language.

The book is a classic adventure tale of six men surviving at sea, encountering dangers and discovering new marine life. The narrative is compelling, with a strong main character and storyline that pulls the reader through the facts. The time at sea is particularly engaging, as it follows Heyerdahl's journey to prove his hypothesis about human migration. The struggles and obstacles faced before and during the voyage make the eventual arrival at the islands all the sweeter. Despite some outdated language due to its 1947 origins, the book remains captivating and inspiring. The connection to Life of Pi is evident, with themes of discovery and ambition resonating throughout.

Quick quotes

    This is a classic adventure tale of six men at sea.

    Not only do they have provisions on board, but at times they are bombarded with flying fish, and they find fishing for their preferred dinners easy enough to accomplish.

    I do not like nonfiction presented as facts only, or boring encyclopedia entries (otherwise, I would simple read a short report on the topic and move on). I appreciate works that create a compelling main character and storyline that pulls me through the facts.

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