Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

While recently helping a friend plan a trip to Berlin, I encouraged him to visit the brilliant memorial at Bebelplatz in the Mitte District. On May 10, 1933, in the Bebelplatz in central Berlin, members of the Nazi Student Union … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Books That Fill You With Sudden, Inexplicable Curiosity

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

An excerpt from If on a winter’s night a traveler by Italo Calvino Translated by William Weaver So, then, you noticed in a newspaper that If on a winter’s night a traveler had appeared, the new book by Italo Calvino, who hadn’t published … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

London Calling

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Soon Come is a sweet short film featuring skateboarder Ezra Bruno rolling through a deserted London reminiscing poetically about what life was like before Covid-19. The film, produced by Outright Films, was shot in one day during April of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

one person out of 8,000,000

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

“Personal Poem” by Frank O’Hara Now when I walk around at lunchtime I have only two charms in my pocket an old Roman coin Mike Kanemitsu gave me and a bolt-head that broke off a packing case when I was … Continue reading →

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Heading To Tokyo

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

While most folks heading to Tokyo were focused on the upcoming Olympics, the Japanese art collective Mé headed to the skies. Last week, city residents were surprised to see a giant hot air balloon in the shape of a human … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Tourism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Sunday Plans

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

No one knows who the solitary man smoking a cigar in this paintings by Edward Hopper titled  “Sunday”  was, but for many viewers he embodies the ennui of a Sunday morning. Painted  in 1926, the work has often been seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

And the Moon Be Still as Bright

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP may recall my many posts about the novels and short stories by the great American writer Ray Bradbury. One of the first sci-fi gems of his that I remember reading as a young child is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Primary Source

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

It’s now possible to read one of the oldest books of English literature in the world  online.The Exeter Book is a 1oth century anthology of poetry in Old English and one of  only four manuscript books containing virtually all the English … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, ebooks, Europe, History, Libraries, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Freedom is a Fable

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Freedom, A Fable: A Curious Interpretation of the Wit of a Negress in Troubled Times.Illustrated book with offset lithographs on paper and laser-cut pop-up paper silhouettes, 1997. I have always been emotionally moved by Kara Walker’s powerful art work, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Art, Books, Film, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Restoring Rome

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

During the past few weeks, I have been pondering a story from the news about a project to restore parts of the ancient Roman Colosseum and open those areas to tourists. The story claimed that for the first time ever, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment