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Author Archives: Brian D. Butler
Science Fiction Inspires Science IRL
News of scientist Giovanni Aldini’s electric reanimation experiments on corpses in 1803 reached author Mary Shelley before the publication of her iconic science fiction book Frankenstein. It was an instance of science informing fiction. In turn, Shelley’s masterpiece would eventually … Continue reading
Posted in Animation, History, Tech, Uncategorized, Writing
Tagged Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Science, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Star Trek
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Resistance Is Not Futile
In response to my post last week on the 10th anniversary of the American publication of Hans Fallada’s heartbreaking novel Every Man Dies Alone, TBTP reader Lincoln S. reminded me about the real life story of brother and sister Hans and Sophie … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, History, Writing
Tagged Hans Fallada, Munich, Nazism, White Rose, World War II
2 Comments
Personal Demons
While cataloging a medieval manuscript the Centre for Research Collections at the University of Edinburgh encountered a curious text amid various alchemy recipes and treatises: precise instructions on how to summon a demon called Baron, graph included. Very little is … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Writing
Tagged demonology, Edinburgh, Joan of Arc
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Weekend Reading
Reading Two Books 1971 Postcard, William Wegman
Your Bookshop Needs You
It can be quite depressing reading bookselling blogs and discovering that yet another favorite bookshop has gone out of business. Like most people, I have succumbed to the convenience of ebooks and buy fewer print copies these days. Although I … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, ebooks, Uncategorized
Tagged Bookselling, Bookshops, indie bookstores
1 Comment
Literature Is An Invention
Adagia Sara Nicholson Literature is an invention; it was Written by men to praise war. Economy is tragic; the economy Comedy. What the heart feigns The mind rehearses, circles A river on the map, as if to say “Voilà! Now the … Continue reading
From New Zealand With Love
I’m currently in the middle of trip planning for a three week visit to New Zealand, so I have been reading lots of local media and blogs. In the process, I stumbled upon this heartwarming story about the generosity of … Continue reading
Every Man Dies Alone
Until ten years ago Hans Fallada was a forgotten German novelist who had a moderately successful career until the rise of the Nazis. When he died in a sanatorium in 1947, Fallada was struggling with a long term addiction to … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Europe, History, Writing
Tagged Berlin, Hans Fallada, novels, World War II
3 Comments
Bugging Out
This summer the media in North America has been crawling with stories about bedbug infestations. The creepy little buggers have been making the news for turning up every where from the New York Times headquarters in Manhattan to tangerine Mussolini’s … Continue reading
Posted in Canada, Hotels, Tourism, USA
Tagged bedbugs, insects, travel accommodations
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