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

" This book will endure for long in my memory. It's about a blind man who overcame his physical handicap and travelled the world around: Australia,Siberia, South Africa.....Amazing! "

" This man was astonishing and his story is told very well by Jason Roberts. It reminded me a little of Joshua Slocum's book about circumnavigating the world single handedly in a small boat, in that the main character brushed off the difficulty of the passage. In regard to viewing the "handicapped" this is an attitude changing book. "

" This has got to be one of the most inspirational books you can ever read. Here's this guy in the 1800s, completely blind, circumnavigating the globe by himself. He puts us all to shame. "

" It's been several years and hundreds of books. I enjoyed the style if I recall. "

" Wow! What am I so afraid of, that I don't follow my dreams? The whole idea of a blind man, with little monetary means, traveling such distances and with such enthusiasm and awe, is the best example of what people can do when they have the right attitude. (A little determination doesn't hurt, either!) I'm so thankful to Jason Roberts for not letting this story get lost! It's inspiring! "

" Reading this book now about a Blind Traveler from the mid 1800's who fought poverty, crippling pain, not to mention a lack of site to travel. James Holman fought the slave trade in Africa, survived frozen captiviy in Siberia, hunted elephants in Ceylon and helped chart the Australian Outback. He was a celebrity, an author and an inspiration to Charles Darwin. He died in obscurity. Jason Roberts discovered enough to peak his interest in this man and begun painstaking research to create this biography of an extrodinary man. "

" A truly amazing story. The only problem is the huge gaps in historical documentation. It's a shame "The Blind Traveler" didn't leave more records of his travels. "

" Best book I've read in ages. Story of a blind 19th century traveller covered vast stretches of the world. Inspiring. Humbling. Etc. "

" This was a fascinating story that failed to keep my interest. The author seemed intent on adding in all his research to the detriment of the story line. But, I still commend him for tackling a piece of history that would have been lost. "

" I just finished this one. It is an awesome book, about an awesome man. And I mean awesome in the 19th century meaning. Actually, I'm listening to this one on my MP3 player. I agree with all of the endorsements below. Great stuff about the royal navy, history, and gumption. "

" Great book about life and travels of James Holman 1786-1857. Makes me want to walk the Appalachia trail. Haha. I am so stuck inside the box - I can't even get off the continent. Recommend. "

" Inspiring: In an age before airborne travel a blind man travels all over the world. Roberts goes into great detail fleshing out the historical circumstances of Holman's travels. Cultural, medical, naval histories. "

" 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. "

" Inspiring book, interesting History of the early 1800s. "

" The subject matter blows my mind. Let alone travelling nowadays, but travelling back then blind without any safety nets? And he did it successfully. I can't wait to find out more about this amazing man. "

" A fascinating look at 19th c. travel & how to "sense" the world w/o that most immediate sense, sight. "

" Unlike most biographies, this book reads like a novel. I was captivated that a blind man could accomplish the scope and depth of world travel in the 18th-19th centuries. Totally inspiring without being the least maudlin. "

" Holman is like a precedent-setting model for a current-day reality TV show about an unlikely super-hero. History, psychology, medical science in its infancy, social and economic conditions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are all combined with a travel narrative of mythic proportions. If you have ever really travelled -- or held an image of a hero-- this is compelling reading. "

" What an astonishing story of a man who goes blind and continues his life dream to travel - a true story of the mid-1700's!!! "

" Really enjoyed this book, amazing what people will do to fulfill their thirst for knowledge, even if blind! "

" fascinating story of a blind man who circumnavigates the world. the people he encounters and the challenges he faces. it's an insightful interpretation of what beauty can be found everywhere without the sense of eyesight. honestly, everybody should read this. let's get it in the schools! "

" This was a fascinating story that failed to keep my interest. The author seemed intent on adding in all his research to the detriment of the story line. But, I still commend him for tackling a piece of history that would have been lost. "

" Such a wonderful book on such a inspiring person who the world has since forgotten. "

" It's been several years and hundreds of books. I enjoyed the style if I recall. "

" An amazing history. Surprised this isn't some sort of classic. "

" What a fantastic and inspirational life James Holman led. I can definitely identify with his wanderlust, but can't imagine how much tenacity and determination it would take to pull off what he did. "

" I really liked this book. It was motivational without being heavy handed. Holman seemed like the kind of person I would have enjoyed meeting on my travels or his. "

" I worked my way through this one slowly, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is amazing that this man was able to accomplish so much. It is a sound testament that we have the ability to do great things even when handicapped. "

" i'mi 1/2 way thru and am still not hooked. the basis of the story is interesting but it's told in such a factual way that it's rather boring. we'll see if i can finish this one. "

" Interesting read. Partly because of the description of how a blind man could compensate for his disability, and partly because he captured a snapshot of what early 19th century life was like in remote corners of the world. "

" One of my favorite non-fiction books. Read this and you will not think that your problems are so big anymore. "

" Very, very interesting - not a dull moment. The blind man lived from 1786-1857, was a seaman when he was sighted, and actually learned to use echo-location when he was blind. Recommended by a friend and I am very grateful. "