Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

History of the Book

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I had the good fortune to live near Princeton University during much of my adolescence and spent many hours lost in the treasures of the University’s Firestone Library. Over the years, the University began to limit access to students and … Continue reading →

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September Song (hot, hot, hot)

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Here in North America meteorological Fall started on September 1st. But if you live here and have been paying attention, you may have noticed that the usual cooling after the Summer season has been arriving late. That’s because the Autumn … Continue reading →

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Short Story

Posted on September 7, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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The world is no better than its places.

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

A Poem on Hope by Wendell Berry It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, for hope must not depend on feeling good and there is the dream of loneliness at absolute midnight. You also … Continue reading →

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The First Day

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“On an otherwise unremarkable September morning, long before I learned to be ashamed of my mother, she takes my hand and we set off down New Jersey Avenue to begin my very first day of school.” –“The First Day” from Lost … Continue reading →

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open the window. I’ll take a chance

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

In 1931, 5-year-old Mel Brooks saw Frankenstein and refused open his window on a summer night. His mother talked to him: Let’s say you are right. That Frankenstein wants to come here and kill you and eat you. But let’s look at … Continue reading →

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“It takes a train to cry”

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

  Although I reside in the Philadelphia metro area, I frequently use the New Jersey Transit system to travel to New York City. When it works smoothly, the trip is quick, convenient and relatively inexpensive compared to Amtrak. However, NJTransit … Continue reading →

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Knock, Knock

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Knocking” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen and Carol Gehrig I am completely beat, this head hurts me. Yesterday, the day before yesterday, the day before the day before yesterday, my landlady knocked. “May I know why you are … Continue reading →

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The Relativity of Wrong

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

In the essay below from 1988, the iconic American writer, philosopher, and scientist Isaac Asimov addresses the comforting myth that being ‘wrong’ always means starting from zero, arguing instead that knowledge evolves in degrees rather than absolutes. A wonderful piece … Continue reading →

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Ghosts, Goblins and Samurai

Posted on August 31, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Here he goes again blathering on about Japan. Anyway, I ran across this marvelous title that is resplendent with a series of wonderful illustrations by the British artist Evelyn Paul . The impressive  Myths & Legends of Japan, a guide … Continue reading →

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