Tuesday, June 8, 2010

June 8th discussion - A Sense of the World

It’s time to talk books with the Fairfax Library Book Discussion Group!

When? Thursday, June 10th at 7 p.m.

What Book? A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History’s Greatest Traveler by Jason Roberts

Discussion Questions are below.

Check out some of these links for additional fun information:

Read Holman’s own written story of travel

The Grand Tour tradition and history

History of education for the blind across the ages

Portrait of James Holman 1849

Voyage Around the World, Vol. I by James Holman (on Google Books)

Interesting article about human echolocation (be sure to check out some of the links.)

Minutes of the second reading of the Naval Knights of Windsor Bill June 16, 1892 (dissolving the Naval Knights of Windsor)

Minutes of a discussion regarding Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation on Oct. 31, 1944 (which reveals the interim history and current status of the Travers Foundation.

History of roads and travel in 1700’s and description of “Blind Jack of Knaresborough”

Brief biography of Blind Jack

Brief History of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
A Sense of the World by Jason Roberts


1. Jason Roberts makes the case that James Holman was the greatest traveler not just of his time, in the 1800s, but of all time before then. On his own funds and initiative, and despite being blind and intermittently crippled, Holman covered at least 250,000 miles. Do you agree with the author that Holman was the greatest traveler of all time?

2. Holman once said, "I see things better with my feet." Do you think he got a full sense of the world by traveling but not seeing the world?

3. Does the story of James Holman have you re-thinking the limits of what can be achieved in your own life? What limitations are holding you back?

4. The author states (on page 67) that “Contrary to popular conception, the remaining senses of a blinded person do not become more acute. They become more eloquent.” Is it possible to make your own senses more eloquent – without suffering the loss of one of them such as blindness or deafness?

5. Some critics have said they believe Holman was faking his blindness and couldn’t possibly have traveled the world without eyesight. Do you think James Holman was genuinely blind?

6. What qualities did James Holman possess that helped him transcend his circumstances and succeed in his quest to circumnavigate the globe while blind?

7. Why do you think Holman did not pursue a degree at Edinburgh College of Medicine?

8. Why did Holman’s writings fall out of favor and his reputation diminish at the end of his life?

9. We learn that Holman suffered crippling pain ("flying gout")and was blind and that the only thing that seemed to cure him (temporarily) was travel - something that was difficult and literally painful for many of his contemporaries. Why did Holman find that difficult circumstances and new ports of call eased his pain?