Category Archives: History

Das Neue Europa

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

In the aftermath of World War I, many politicians, political scientists, philosophers, and even cartographers offered innovative proposals to restructure Europe. P.A. Maas, an Austrian publisher, suggested a wildly creative way to re-imagine Europe as a political entity. “Does anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Maps | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Hill We Climb

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Amanda Gorman became the youngest person to deliver a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration, with the 22-year-old reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb” after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as president and vice president. For many viewers, the highlight of the presidential … Continue reading →

Posted in History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Call and Response

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I’m disappointed that I will be missing this current exhibition at New York City’s magnificent Morgan Museum and Library. Betye Saar: Call and Response is based on Los Angeles–based artist Betye Saar who emerged in the 1960s as a major voice in American … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the 20th Century

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Following the horrific events of last week, I am not alone in reflecting back on the cautionary warnings of Yale historian Timothy Snyder. His short, but powerful book On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century published just days after the … Continue reading →

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A Year of Good Reading

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

January. A year of good reading ahead is a wonderful book poster from a large WPA collection from the Library of Congress. The series of posters was created by the Federal WPA during the 1930s.  

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

The Year in Review

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Animation, History, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Good Kind of Flood

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

If you follow TBTP on a regular basis you are well aware of my tremendous affection for Iceland and all things Icelandic. One of the most surprising things about the island nation is the love of books and reading. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Tourism, Writing | 1 Comment

Bookmarking it old school

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

How to use a medieval bookmark: 1.) Read. 2.) Spin the volvelle to mark where on the page you stopped reading (I-IV correspond to different sections on the page. 3.) Close book. 4.) Repeat as necessary. By the way, the … Continue reading →

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

Old Nieuw Amsterdam

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I come from two old New York City families, but not nearly as old as these 17th century views of the city when it was still the Dutch  West India Company’s colony of Nieuw Amsterdam. Published in 1651, the image … Continue reading →

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Art Mystery or Art Prank

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

You don’t have to be a street art sucker like me to be intrigued by the tale of the Cookie Monster “мир, земля, печенье” (“Peace, Land, and Cookies” in Russian) mural that popped up on a commercial building in Peoria, … Continue reading →

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