The Blind Traveler

September 1, 2017 5:24 AM

The Blind Traveler: How James Holman felt his way around the world to become history's most prolific explorer.
posted by Memo (4 comments total)

As his friend William Jerden wrote in the book Men I Have Known, “He had eyes in his mouth, eyes in his nose, eyes in his ears, and eyes in his mind, never blinking, but ready on all occasions [...]

Great story, thanks!
posted by M. at 8:24 AM on September 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

This is incredible, thank you.
posted by Slinga at 10:43 AM on September 1, 2017

I read Roberts' book several years ago and can thoroughly recommend it. It's a fascinating read that not only recounts Holman's travels but also his naval career, studying medicine & literature, & his later ongoing battles to get & hold a naval pension/position (he had to argue to be allowed to take leave to study & for health reasons, then bent the rules beyond breaking point to travel - but had to keep returning in order to not lose his pension & accomodation).

I later chased down & read Volume 1 (& I think Vol 2) of "Voyage …", and "Travels Through Russia …", and they're great Edwardian / Victorian travel literature. As far as I remember the rest are lost, and I suspect the other titles currently available are excerpted from those 3 books.
posted by Pinback at 10:06 PM on September 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

Both stunning & humbling -- thanks, Memo.
posted by On the Corner at 4:41 AM on September 6, 2017