Two Years Before the Mast

Not an adventure or really a story. The life of a sailor on a tall ship. Well told and engaging if that interests you.

A detailed and engaging narrative of a sailor aboard a merchant vessel in the 19th century as well as a fascinating and historical account of European trade in California. Told with touching personal insights into human relationships, change and the passage of time

A great history of both sailing, and old California.

Gives very good idea of life as a sailor in that time period and can see why the author did so much to improve the sailor's lot after the book was published.

As was common in this time period a young man of good stature sets off to work as crew on a commercial sailing ship bound to cross the roughest seas known to man. He describes in this account a good detail, the names of parts of and working of tall ships that modern day sailors may not be familiar with. He also describes the hardships that these poor and brave men endured. There is an abundance of narrative, story telling and fact all of which leads the author to take it upon himself to better the plight of the poor shanghaied sailor when he goes back to his life of education and civility. A great read that helps you understand the detail of modern movies set in that time period at sea. It is a good read, even if you are left wanting to sail a boat like it to get more acquainted with how to sail or crew a boat like it.

Really enjoyed this story. Having the follow up 24 yrs later by the author and additional closure to the story by his son much later is good. Would have helped to understand the story if it included the author's later book on sailing terms.