Category Archives: Europe

Soon to be available in paperback

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

16th century “assassin’s cabinet” disguised as a book

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

London : Food For Thought

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

My favorite London travel book store Stanfords has opened a food-themed bookshop in a joint venture with street food pioneers KERB “to showcase London’s food and cultural history through literature,” the Bookseller reported. Market Bookshop will be a permanent fixture at the newly opened Seven Dials Market in Covent … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Resistance Is Not Futile

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

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 , , , , | 2 Comments

Personal Demons

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

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 →

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Every Man Dies Alone

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

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 , , , | 3 Comments

Paris: Word on the Street

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

h/t Philipe Bouvier  

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

Why Islandia

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently asked (again) why I still encourage folks to visit Iceland even in this era of overtourism. I could reiterate all of the reasons to go, but this amazing short film by Moscow-based videographer Vadim Sherbakov explains it … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged | 5 Comments

Don’t Bend

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Goodbye King of the Book Towns

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

British bookseller and self-appointed “King of Hay” Richard Booth, who transformed the sleepy Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye “into a second-hand bookshop capital,” died August 20, BBC News reported. Booth, who opened his first bookshop in the town’s former fire station … Continue reading →

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

Art Floats

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Europe’s first floating art museum has finally launched on the River Seine in the heart of Paris. The much anticipated attraction is  conveniently situated near the Pont des Invalides. Focusing on contemporary urban art, Fluctuart offers three levels with a permanent collection, … Continue reading →

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