Holman and Roberts make superb traveling companions

Holman, his life and travels are fascinating, but what really puts flesh on his scant biography, is Roberts wanderings into Georgian and Victorian life - the meaning and social requirements of being a gentleman, a lowly officer on patrol in the British navy, life and expectations of the blind, medical training and treatment (consisting of depleting or balancing the four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow and black bile), Russian intrigue to keep their North American aspirations secret, battling the slave trade at its source - the list goes on. Roberts does a superb job of weaving the man and his travels into his times.

Good read but not extraordinary

I found this book to be a good read and an interesting story, but I never felt myself pulled into the story. I didn't find myself emotionally tied to the characters, but overall, it's a worthy read.

Motivating book about a largely forgotten hero

Lt. Holman is finally brought into the limelight (at least to some extent) by Jason Roberts' chance discovery of him. Roberts' serendipitous discovery led to this amazing biography of Lt. Holman, who tragically became blind as a young man, yet lived a life far more exciting and interesting than most of us will never know. The stories of how this blind man, suffering other ailments as well, travelled the world over in the 19th century, usually alone, is amazing. He visited parts of the world that are challenging today, such as Siberia, the interior of Brazil, Africa, etc., and only wished to do more travelling. Unfortunately he died in obscurity and was quickly forgotten. Reading this makes you not only feel sorry for his lack of resources and support, but also for how he is not ranked with the other great explorers of the 19th century. It also makes one feel so privileged, yet at the same time so uninspired, unmotivated and boring compared to Lt. Holman.