Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Museum to the Rescue

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Italy has opened a new museum to showcase art it has rescued. The museum, which opened in Rome last week, will present rotating exhibitions of looted and stolen pieces that the nation has recovered. The Museum of Rescued Art, which … Continue reading →

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Just Another Marbled Monday

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

This psychdelic marbled binding is on Le Terrecotte Figurate del Museo Nazionale di Napoli, or, “The Figured Terracottas of the National Museum of Naples.”  The book is by archaeologist and historian Alda Levi (1890-1950) and was published by Vallecchi Firenze Publishing … Continue reading →

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Happy Juneteenth

Posted on June 19, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

You maybe wondering about the newest U.S. holiday that we are celebrating today. On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed into law the bill that established Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, as a legal public holiday. Juneteenth commemorates June … Continue reading →

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At midnight, in the month of June

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The Sleeper BY EDGAR ALLAN POE At midnight, in the month of June, I stand beneath the mystic moon. An opiate vapor, dewy, dim, Exhales from out her golden rim, And softly dripping, drop by drop, Upon the quiet mountain top, … Continue reading →

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Do You Need A Reading Sheperd

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Shepherd is a curated book discovery tool based on author recommendations: “We ask authors to share their favorite books around topics and themes they are passionate about and why they recommend each book.” Although the website is relatively new, it’s off … Continue reading →

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Existential Crisis Solved

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

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Omnes viae Romam ducunt

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The saying: omnes viae Romam ducunt (all roads lead to Rome) began in 20 BCE when Emperor Augustus had a large golden spike installed next to the Temple of Saturn on the Forum Romanum. This was the Milliarium Aureum, or … Continue reading →

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Bookshop Mysteries

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

When Sam and Adam Morris opened Your Brother’s Bookstore in downtown Evansville, Indiana last October they expected to be selling mystery novels not discovering their own mystery. While renovating the building and replacing the floors before opening they found an unexpected trapdoor … Continue reading →

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Why Orwell’s 1984 Still Matters

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Each year around this time someone remembers that George Orwell’s iconic novel Nineteen Eighty- Four was first released in June of 1949. I think that bringing attention to the book is always a valuable exercise, now more than ever. Ironically, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, Freedom of Speech, History, movies, Writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Sunday Sundries

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Atlas of endangered alphabets – is an excellent project aiming to save indigenous and minority writing systems. High Life – Just discovered that you don’t even have to leave home to read British Airways’ really rather good in-flight magazine. Worth … Continue reading →

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