Category Archives: History

A National Icon

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP know that I am very serious about coffee. I am so commited to drinking good coffee that I actually roast my own green coffee beans. When I travel, the first thing that I research after  accommodations … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Restaurants | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Down and Out in Paris

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

In 1928, a former Colonial police officer and aspiring author named Eric Arthur Blair moved from his London home to Paris in order to buckle down and launch his writing career. The move didn’t work out so well, but it … Continue reading →

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

When In Rome

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years I’ve visited dozens of ancient Roman ruin sites around Europe, but I don’t recall ever seeing any preserved or restored latrines. I recently stumbled upon this fascinating video on personal hygiene and public sanitation in ancient Rome … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, Film, History | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ring In The New Year

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In, commonly referred to as The Chimes, is a novella written by Charles Dickens and first published in 1844, one year after A Christmas Carol. It … Continue reading →

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

What Alice Found There

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

This week marks the 150th anniversary of the first publication of  Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (also known as Alice Through the Looking-Glass or simply Through the Looking-Glass). Although First edition copies may indicate 1872 as the publication date, the book … Continue reading →

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

A Merry Underground Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

For more than a century, London Transport has used posters to promote travel around the winter holidays. At Christmas, festive posters would appear on the network to encourage travelling via Underground for Christmas shopping or to get to winter sales, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, History, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

New York On Ice

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

One of the most popular diversions in New York City during the winter holiday season is ice skating in the world famous Central Park. The skating pond in Central Park first opened to the public on December 19, 1858 and … Continue reading →

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

The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Social Network

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Up until quite recently, I was a habitual buyer of postcards during my travels. Mind you, I rarely ever sent the postcards to anyone, but rather keep them as reminders of the places that I had visited. When I was young, postcards … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Art, Books, Europe, History, Public Transport, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Library Evolution

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Libraries have always played an important role in my life. One of my happiest memories from childhood is the day that I received my very own library card. For the last two decades, I’ve had the good fortune to live … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Deadly Reads

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Some publisher could make a killing by reviving these hidden poison cabinets in the shape of books that were popular in the 17th century.  

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