Category Archives: Europe

The Wordless Novel

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Created by artist Lynd Ward, God’s Man is the first American wordless novel. Published in 1929 by Jonathon Cape and Harrison Smith in New York, the book is an example of the wordless novel, a narrative genre made of only … Continue reading →

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A Change is Going To Come

Posted on March 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

For decades, U.S. citizens traveling to most European countries have been exempt from visa requirements. Sadly, this ends on January 1, 20121, when all Americans traveling to any Schengen Zone nations will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) Visa. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Brits are so over Jane Austen too

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I was somewhat surprised to recently read that a letter writing campaign and a steady barrage of public criticism ended plans for a statue of formerly beloved author Jane Austen. It seems that Winchester Cathedral commissioned sculptor Martin Jennings to … Continue reading →

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Faroe Islands Closed For Maintenance

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

During the past year, it’s been impossible to read a travel magazine or blog without being told that the Faroe Islands is the next in place to visit for travelers who want to get off of the tourist trail. Of course, this … Continue reading →

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But What Happens To The Books

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When I read about the death of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld the other day, my first thought was “what happens to his books?”. To be honest, I don’t know much about the German tycoon other than the reports from a … Continue reading →

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

Travel Thursday

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Bookseller to love today

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Michele Gentile is the owner and manager of a bookstore/café in the small southern Italian town of Polla near Salerno. For many years, Gentile has been quietly using a community-minded system called libri sospeso or suspended books in his Ex Libris Bookshop. … Continue reading →

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Fancy a Pint ?

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Way back in the 20th century I spent considerable time visiting London. While I was there I occasionally popped into the random pub to quench my thirst with a pint or two of real ale. As a foreigner, it was … Continue reading →

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Misteriosi d’Italia

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon a marvelous new book of stories and illustrations exploring magical places, spooky folklore, mysterious legends, and unexplained phenomena in Italy. The Atlas of Mysterious Places of Italy was a joint project of illustrator Francesco Bongiorni and writer Massimo … Continue reading →

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Space Invaders

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Science fiction satire isn’t a new phenomena. The War of the Wenuses by Charles L. Graves and Edward V. Lucas is a parody of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds published in 1898. The story chronicles an invasion by gorgeous Venusian women who … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments