Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Take the Night Train

On December 11th at 8.18pm the night train to Paris left Berlin Hauptbahnhof. This was remarkable because it was the first Berlin-Paris night train in over 9 years. The new Nightjet service between the German and French capitals is more evidence … Continue reading

Posted in Europe, History, Maps, Public Transport, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Free Ebooks with a difference

Like everything else the cost of ebooks has continued to rise. So, it’s a relief to find a website that offers new digital editions of public domain and out of print books for free. The volunteers at Standard Ebooks  reproduce well-formatted … Continue reading

Posted in apps, Books, Tech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Reading Goals

 

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

A very special Christmas special

Widely regarded by me as the best holiday special of all time (Cher, Oprah, Grace Jones, Frankie & Annette, Little Richard, KD Lang AND the New York Gay Men’s choir will be there to welcome you…on screen…!), nothing gets you … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Music, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Would you like to buy a bridge

I’ve recently been watching a period drama series set in New York City during the early 1880s. A number of episodes feature story lines about the building of the world famous Brooklyn Bridge which officially opened on May 24, 1883. … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, History, Photography, Public Transport, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

I think I could turn and live with animals

Song of Myself, 32 Walt Whitman I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contain’d, I stand and look at them long and long. They do not sweat and whine about their condition, They … Continue reading

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

How Random Is That

In 1927, the publisher of Paris-Soir  newspaper hired the prolific novelist Georges Simenon to become an advertising attraction. They had a glass booth constructed in the lobby of the newspaper where Simenon, under eyes of the public, was to write … Continue reading

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

“Hope”

 Happy Birthday Emily Dickinson   “Hope” is the thing with feathers BY EMILY DICKINSON “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all … Continue reading

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

Last Lines

He loved Big Brother. –George Orwell, 1984 (1949) ⇔ Before reaching the final line, however, he had already understood that he would never leave that room, for it was foreseen that the city of mirrors (or mirages) would be wiped … Continue reading

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

Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.

  “What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would … Continue reading

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