A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler
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Author Description
He was known simply as the Blind Traveler -- a solitary, sightless adventurer who, astonishingly, fought the slave trade in Africa, survived a frozen captivity in Siberia, hunted rogue elephants in Ceylon, and helped chart the Australian outback. James Holman (1786-1857) became "one of the greatest wonders of the world he so sagaciously explored," triumphing not only over blindness but crippling pain, poverty, and the interference of well-meaning authorities (his greatest feat, a circumnavigation of the globe, had to be launched in secret). Once a celebrity, a bestselling author, and an 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. A Sense of the World is a spellbinding and moving rediscovery of one of history's most epic lives. Drawing on meticulous research, Jason Roberts ushers us into the Blind Traveler's uniquely vivid sensory realm, then sweeps us away on an extraordinary journey across the known world during the Age of Exploration. Rich with suspense, humor, international intrigue, and unforgettable characters, this is a story to awaken our own senses of awe and wonder.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How did James Holman, a man rendered blind in his early twenties, overcome physical disability and societal constraints to become one of the most prolific and celebrated explorers of the nineteenth century? Jason Roberts utilizes extensive archival research and primary source documentation to reconstruct the life of the 'Blind Traveler,' mapping his global expeditions against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration. The author argues that Holman’s unique sensory perception allowed him to document the world with a precision and depth that challenged the visual-centric biases of his contemporaries. By examining Holman's personal journals and correspondence, Roberts provides a comprehensive account of a figure who influenced major scientific minds like Charles Darwin.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed accounts of Holman’s global circumnavigation and expeditions across Africa, Siberia, and Australia.
- Analysis of the social and medical attitudes toward blindness during the early 1800s.
- Primary source evidence drawn from Holman’s own published travelogues and private letters.
- Exploration of the intersection between nineteenth-century scientific discovery and personal physical adversity.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
The text provides a rigorous and well-documented examination of a neglected historical figure, offering a dense, scholarly look at the mechanics of nineteenth-century travel. The research is thorough, framing Holman’s life within the broader context of imperial exploration and the history of disability.
Page Count:
400
Publication Date:
2006-05-30
Publisher:
Harper Collins
ISBN-10:
0007161069
ISBN-13:
9780007161065
Biography
History
Travel
Biography Autobiography
Exploration
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