Two Years Before the Mast

By: Richard Henry Dana

Narrated by: Athur Addison

This is the true story of a Harvard graduate who forsook his studies for two years of the grueling life of an ordinary seaman. This exciting tale was the first to realistically describe the lives of the roughly treated, poorly paid sailors of the merchant marine.

Public Domain (P)1995 Audio Book Contractors, LLC

A Glimpse of a Vanished California

Two Years Before the Mast is one of the great sea stories—and one without battles. It is also a window into a California that disappeared with the gold rush. This reading does it justice.

Must read for all Californians

Living in California but Boston-born, I was fascinated by his descriptions of the California coast of 1835. So different. He was a great observer and was mostly objective, such that one gets a credible history of the early west coast and especially life aboard ships of the time.
The beginning of the story isn’t totally engaging as the sailing terminology is very technical, but there’s adventure ahead. Hang in there and you will be rewarded.

Must reading

Would you consider the audio edition of Two Years Before the Mast to be better than the print version?

Yes, unless the reader is a sailor and knows the pronunciation of the technical terms. The reader was excellent in mastering these unknown terms.

What other book might you compare Two Years Before the Mast to and why?

I know of no other.

What about Athur Addison’s performance did you like?

His pronunciation appeared accurate, and he dramatized the various characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It needs time to digest and to research the geography of various locations mentioned, especially in the area near the Anartic.

Any additional comments?

Should be required reading in all California high schools.

Day to day truevstory of a spiker in 1840

loved the realism and depth, it's an education in nautical terms! Good narration and knowledge of life on a ship from that era.

Good, old book

Didn't realize the book was written in the mid 1800s until after I started reading it. It's a wonderful look at the way men used to love and what used to motivate them. Much different than what we expect from ourselves now. Very illuminating.