Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

In Bruges

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Most of the world has made unprecedented changes to social, work, school, and travel arrangements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of Europe’s most visited destinations has found a unique way to support the local community during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , | 9 Comments

This Time Next Year (fingers crossed)

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Like most folks, we have been forced to cancel or postpone our travel plans due to the pandemic. As U.S. citizens, we don’t have many options since most countries won’t admit us anyway. But that doesn’t mean we have abandoned … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Photography, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Books and Maps

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

A big thanks to TBTP follower Maria W. for sending me the link to the wonderful video below from the British Library Learning series on Vimeo. What could be better than antiquarian books and maps together.

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, Libraries, Maps | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

This wonderful volume is the 1934 Limited Editions Club re-issue of Erewhon by the English Novelist Samuel Butler, with a special introduction by Aldous Huxley, and illustrated with 10 color lithographs and reproductions of 30 line drawings by American artist Rockwell Kent. The edition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

This Side of Paradise

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

  Scribner has just issued a set of new,elegant editions of F.Scott Fitzgerald novels. The series of five “collectible” hardcover editions feature new dust jacket designs. The titles include The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, The Beautiful and Damned, The Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You have to see this place

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Two years ago, former journalist David F. Gallagher launched a clever Kickstarter project that was recently completed and posted online. He solicited backers to designate a geographic location anywhere in the world by address or latitude/longitude and promised to send … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Tech, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Misery of Manila Folders

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

DOLOR Theodore Roethke I have known the inexorable sadness of pencils, Neat in their boxes, dolor of pad and paper weight, All the misery of manilla folders and mucilage, Desolation in immaculate public places, Lonely reception room, lavatory, switchboard, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Magical Mystery Tour

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Vanity Fair magazine commissioned the marvelous video below guaranteed to warm the heart of any Beatles fan. It’s a 12 minute tour around the world using Google Maps, highlighting locations mentioned in the Beatles lyrics, from Liverpool to the Black … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Asia, Europe, Film, Maps, Music, Photography, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An American Tale

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Jamaican-born author Claudia Rankine is the author of Citizen: An American Lyric. It was named one of the best books of the year in 2014 by numerous media outlets, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, National Public Radio, and Publisher’s Weekly. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Books Have Helped

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Washington D.C. is blessed with an abundance of excellent bookstores. One of my favorites has long been the wonderful Second Story Books in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Now they have partnered with the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, History, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment