Particularize Appertaining To Books A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler
| Title | : | A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler |
| Author | : | Jason Roberts |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 382 pages |
| Published | : | May 30th 2006 by Harper (first published 2005) |
| Categories | : | Biography. Travel. Nonfiction. History. Adventure |
Jason Roberts
Hardcover | Pages: 382 pages Rating: 4.1 | 1208 Users | 226 Reviews
Representaion Concering Books A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler
An amazing biography on a little-known historical figure, John Holman. I think this blurb describes it best:"He was known simply as the Blind Traveler, a solitary, sightless adventurer who fought the slave trade in Africa, survived a frozen captivity in Siberia, hunted rogue elephants in Ceylon and helped chart the Australian outback. Once a celebrity, a bestselling author and inspiration to Charles Darwin and Sir Richard Francis Burton, the charismatic, witty Holman outlived his fame, dying in an obscurity that has endured--until now."
Jason Roberts does a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of a man who loved to travel under the radar but who would not be ignored. Indeed, this is a rare biographical work that engages the reader thoroughly and makes one hopeful for more such books.
Author website: http://www.jasonroberts.net/holman.html
Declare Books As A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler
| Original Title: | A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler |
| ISBN: | 0007161069 (ISBN13: 9780007161065) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Literary Awards: | Guardian First Book Award Nominee for Longlist (2006), National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Biography (2006) |
Rating Appertaining To Books A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler
Ratings: 4.1 From 1208 Users | 226 ReviewsAppraise Appertaining To Books A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler
I learned that sometimes the truly inspirational people out there, are amazing just by being who they are and doing their best to find joy in life. I also learned an amazing amount of history from this book.Everyone should learn who James Holman is. This guy was extraordinary and totally forgotten by history. He traveled more extensively throughout the world than anyone else had before him (1820s-1850s) and chose to get off the beaten path (if there even was one at that time) by hanging out in the bush and with natives any chance he got. A totally open-minded and sincere person who documented and experienced cultures we have all-but lost. Oh, did I mention he did this all as a blind man before
A chance encounter in a library led the author to discover James Holman (17861857). Son of a shopkeeper, James rises to lieutenant in the British Navy right around the War of 1812. He is forced out of the Navy due to medical issues (blindness as well as rheumatic arthritis) and although nearly penniless, finds he is in the best of health when travelling in exotic countries and climes. ... alone.Holman's charm and cunning nets him excursions to the Americas, Africa and the Orient - hunting
this book seems to give a good picture about the following things i have never experienced:1. being blind2. living in the 19th century3. being in the british navy4. the nature of world travel before there was a world tourism industy5. the nature of the medical profession in england in the 19th century
A very enjoyable biography. The story is both sad and inspiring; touching and exciting. This book is about the GREATEST traveler in all of history who somehow faded into obscurity. Roberts resurrects James Holman with this excellent book and presents the nearly unbelievable story of a blind man who overcame his affliction and experienced a life full of travel and excitement.
James Holman joined the Royal Navy in the mid-1700s to see the world. When he gradually became blind, he decided that travel was the only way to stay healthy and sane.He ended up traveling thousands of miles around the world. Holman's accomplishments are astonishing not just for their time, but for the fact he often traveled to foreign countries alone, not knowing the language or anyone there. The book also contains the best description I have ever read about how a blind person uses the textures
I have read an amazing book about a blind traveler in the XIXth Century. Jason Roberts has done a priceless job in bringing this role-setting man to life again. The book is truly breathtaking. Holmans adventures sound like very far-fetched fiction. Its insane how he could travel the world alone at those times. To top it all, it turns out his only pal was deaf. Here are some of the many increadible things he managed to achieve alone with very limited funds and no sight at all:explore the
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