Category Archives: Europe

Books are only human after all

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Rooting through my image files I came across this little series of paintings by British artist and illustrator Jonathan Wolstenholme. He is widely known for his amazingly detailed works deriving from a love of old books and of the paraphernalia … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Call For The Dead

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, Viking announced that this year—which happens to be the 60th anniversary of the publication of John le Carré’s first novel, Call for the Dead—they will publish the late writer’s twenty-sixth, and likely last, novel, Silverview. Silverview will be … Continue reading →

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Waving Not Drowning

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

By now nearly every human being on the planet has seen one version or another of the iconic painting above. What do most of us really know about this sublime work of art ? When woodcut artist Katsushika Hokusai made his famous … Continue reading →

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Paris on the Precipice

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

As the lockdown comes to a close in Paris, the French street artist JR celebrates  its most iconic landmark by transforming the Esplanade of Trocadero into a monolithic chasm. Check out the video below on this fabulous project that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Living in the Wild West (of Iceland)

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

At some point during every trip that I take to Iceland I entertain the fantasy of moving to a small coastal town and opening a little bookshop. But reality always wins out when I remember what Icelandic winters are like. … Continue reading →

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Infographic Visionaries

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP know how I feel about a clever infographic, so you won’t be surprised that I was intrigued by Information Graphic Visionaries. This new book series celebrates historical figures who dramatically changed the way data is organized … Continue reading →

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Waterman Butterfly, Hobo-Dyer, or Goode Homolosine

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I nearly did a Master’s degree in Geography, but the constant battles over map projections put me off. This clever video by Randall Munroe helps to explain some of the most popular options. You don’t have to be a map … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Animation, Asia, Europe, Maps, Middle East, South America, Tech | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Great Scott

Posted on May 14, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you have every been to Scotland, you probably noticed that Sir Walter Scott is kind of a big deal there. In honor of the writer’s 250th anniversary this year Scotland is putting on a big celebration of its favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Book Guardian

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

When I visit Reykjavik, Iceland, I often walk by the main municipal library on my way to my favorite little ramen joint just up the street, but I’ve never been inside. So, I was intrigued by this wonderful short documentary … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Human Nature

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I know it’s a bit of a departure from our usual remit at TBTP, but I was excited to read about the upcoming release of a new recording from the late great Miles Davis. Just a few months before his … Continue reading →

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