A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler

It is nothing to meet a round-the-world traveler these days; plenty of people travel globally for business or pleasure. Travel was not, of course, always so easy, and so it is amazing enough that in 1822, James Holman, a former lieutenant of the Royal Navy, set off from England to walk all around the world. His trip took him through Europe, through five thousand miles of Russia and into Siberia. It seems an impossible task for anyone to have tried just for the enjoyment of the journey, but James Holman was exhilarated by traveling, and even his being totally blind could not keep him off his self-appointed odyssey. That a blind man could have accomplished so much travel made him a celebrated figure in his time, but he had been forgotten by the time of his death in 1857, and has had no biographer until Jason Roberts, who writes fiction and nonfiction, came across his story. He has brought back Holman in _A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler_ (HarperCollins), an inspiring story of an almost unbelievably resourceful and irrepressible man who could not be at ease unless he was on the road, and never let his blindness hold him back. Holman was medically separated from the Royal Navy for rheumatism, which remitted but then he mysteriously lost his vision, completely and forever. At the time, the blind had little hope for independent living. He took a pension, but chafed at any responsibilities that would have kept him in any certain locale. Holman relied acutely on his hearing to get him along in the world he could not see. He used a regular walking stick, not so much as a cane to sweep the path in front of him, but as a device to echolocate; he would make a click with the end of his cane and learn about what was around him. Eventually he even took to riding horses and judging his progress by the echoes from the hooves. He was able to get across Russia, well into Siberia. When he did take a carriage, he tended to run alongside it, tethered by a rope, to keep fit. His plan to cross to Alaska was thwarted by the Czar Alexander, who feared that Holman would report back on how far Russia was pushing into North America. Essentially the Czar had him kidnapped and dumped into Poland. He traveled for the Royal Navy to Fernando Po, an outpost where the British thought they could attack the slave trade. He slipped from there to go through South Africa, South America, India, China, and more. He was widely known as the "Blind Traveler". His travels and writings gained him membership into the Royal Society, the academy of scientists in Britain. Charles Darwin cited Holman concerning African fauna, and fellow traveler Sir Richard Burton referenced him with admiration. _The Encyclopedia Britannica_ included an extended entry about him. Holman did slow down toward the end, and withdrew to write his memoirs, which he just finished before his death. Perhaps it would have sealed his place in history, but sadly,

This is one of the best books you could hope to read this year. If you ever think that circumstances could stop you from living a full life, the story of James Holman will have you re-thinking the limits of what can be achieved. In an age in which the blind were institutionalized in insane asylums, Holman managed to travel the globe by himself and on a very limited budget. In the process, he was able to actually experience cultures in a meaningful way, even though he could not see. This book is hard to put down. It is well-written and the tone is not sensational, even though the subject is.In addition to being a great story, I found personal inspiration beyond the scope of many self-help books. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

I agree with the previous reviewer that this is up there with SEABISCUIT. I'd also say LONGITUDE or THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN. I bought it because of the TIME magazine review, and it blew me away. Holman's voyages through Siberia, Africa, Tasmania, Europe et all are unceasingly fascinating, and Roberts places his reader right along side. One of those rare books that is both a true story and an absolutely thrilling read. A real find for summer reading, and highly recommended.