Category Archives: History

“From these garish lights I vanish now for evermore…”

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday marked the 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens. Among the commemorations, there was this stunning sound and light installation which was projected onto Westminster Abbey’s iconic West Towers last weekend. The projection was created by light and … Continue reading →

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Freedom Suite

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

This striking performance (below)of North Carolina-born drummer Max Roach’s “Freedom Now Suite,” a medley of “Tears for Johannesburg” and the triptych “PRAYER / PROTEST / PEACE,” was recorded by a television station in 1964—the same year the Civil Rights Act … Continue reading →

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To be named the Westeros Railway ?

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin is purchasing a historic railway in New Mexico along with two others in the hopes of revitalizing it with entertainment options and cultural events.The rail line currently runs from Santa Fe , New Mexico … Continue reading →

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More Whipt Syllabub

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue Anon [Francis Grose] London Printed for S Hooper 1785 First Edition Francis Grose’s ‘Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue’ was first published in 1785, and is a dictionary of slang words. Grose was … Continue reading →

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When In Rome

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Whenever I travel to Rome or Athens, I always visit ancient ruins and archeological sites. But it can be a bit of a stretch to try and picture what the buildings original looked like and how they were used.  New … Continue reading →

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Discovering the Lost Generation in Paris

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Decades ago, I made my first biblio-pilgrimage to the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris. These days it’s not quite the same place now that it has an adjoining café that serves American bagels and brownies. And then there are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Libraries, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Virtually Macabre in Philly

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Like many folks self-isolating these days, I have been spending way too much time on virtual video tours. I have taken train rides through the Swiss Alps, long car journeys around New Zealand, hikes in Icelands, and much more. Some … Continue reading →

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Plague Tales

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio follows ten young people–seven women and three men–who take shelter from the Black Plague outside of medieval Florence. Each day, over the course of ten days, members of the group must entertain the others with … Continue reading →

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TGI Frida

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Faces of Frida is one of the most extensive curations on the iconic Mexican artist ever assembled and it’s available through the Google Arts and Culture app. Comprised of 800 Frida Kahlo paintings, artifacts, high-resolution images and features, it offers … Continue reading →

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Library of Exile

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I first discovered the ceramic artist and writer Edmund de Waal through his best-selling book The Hare with the Amber Eyes. If you are not familiar with the memoir, it’s a compelling read that encompasses not only de Waal’s family history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, History, Libraries, Museums, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment