Category Archives: History

on tyranny

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I know that I’ve posted about Timothy Snyder’s Twenty Lessons on Tyranny a number of times, but we are staring at the abyss in the United States and Democracy is on the verge of ruination. In this 10-minute video, John Lithgow reads … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Wonky House of Windsor

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

No, I’m not referencing the British royal family—although they are a shambolic mess—I’m referring to a lovely, rickety looking building a historic Windsor, England. If you have every visited the tourist town, you have likely had a peep at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, History, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The New Metropolis

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

It probably reveals way too much about me that I’m very excited to discover that a new exhibition at the Grolier Club  in New York City is opening today. The show explores how a growing New York City was portrayed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, History, Libraries, Maps, Museums, Photography, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

You couldn’t pay me to go there

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

After years of civil war and terrorist conflict that reduced its cultural treasures to rubble, Syria is taking steps to breathe new life into its tourism industry. The nation is focusing on restoring its rich heritage, aiming to attract history … Continue reading →

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More Than the Mona Lisa

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant renovation plan for the Louvre, following concerns from the museum’s director about the building’s deteriorating condition. The project includes the creation of a new grand entrance and broader refurbishments across the historic site. Like most … Continue reading →

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Nothing New is something new

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Earlier this month, the New Yorker magazine published its centennial issue, and in its pages readers will discover something extraordinary: a previously unknown Robert Frost poem. Frost’s biographer, Jay Parini, wrote an essay about the poem, saying it “was found in a retired … Continue reading →

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Black History

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The Black History Month Map is a new collaborative and dynamic map developed by kinkofa and PamPam to honor and document the significant places, individuals, and movements that have shaped Black history. To help you explore the invaluable contributions of Black Americans … Continue reading →

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The Trial

Posted on February 11, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the posthumous publication of Franz Kafka’s chilling novel of the nightmare world of authoritarian repression and merciless bureaucracy. I remember reading the book only after I saw Orson Welles’ chilling film production. Somehow … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, History, movies, Restaurants, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

et cetera

Posted on February 8, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

It was W.H. Auden who said: ‘there are good books which are only for adults, because their comprehension presupposes adult experiences, but there are no good books which are only for children.’ The great discipline of children’s fiction is that it has … Continue reading →

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A Century of The New Yorker

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The New Yorker is 100 years old this year and part of the celebrations include an exhibition at the NYPL that showcases “founding documents, rare manuscripts, photographs, and timeless cover and cartoon art” from the magazine. On February 22, 2025, A Century of … Continue reading →

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