Category Archives: History

Celebrate with Patience and Fortitude

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

The New York Public Library is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. An elite group of librarians from NYPL have created a list of 125 books from the last 125 years that inspire a lifelong love of reading. Even Patience … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Illustrious Illustrations

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

For book geeks like me, this huge online library of thousands of old book illustrations  is a time-sucking rabbit hole. But if you are game, it offers a treasure trove of searchable images by name, artist, source, date, and which … Continue reading →

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

Never Forget

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

A temporary holocaust monument titled Levenslicht (Lifelight)  created by artist Daan Roosegaarde lights up Rotterdam with 104,000 luminescent memorial stones that represent the 104,000 Dutch holocaust victims of the Nazis during WWII.  The monument, which recalls the Jewish custom of … Continue reading →

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

The time is always right to do what is right

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

In these dark times it is not always easy to remember the messages of great teachers, but today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his guidance and wisdom.

Posted in History | Tagged | Leave a comment

Science Fiction Day

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Even if you are one of those readers who claim that they don’t like science fiction, it’s more than likely that there are some works in the genre that you have appreciated and enjoyed. When it comes to science fiction … Continue reading →

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

Happy Public Domain Day

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

On January 1, 2020, works from 1924 will enter the US public domain, where they will be free for all to use and build upon, without permission or fee. These works include George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, silent films by … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, History, Libraries, movies, Music, Photography, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

je me souviens

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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

Decolonizing the Metropolitan

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is one of my favorite go to places in the city. In fact, I’ve been visiting the Met since before I could walk. The museum’s grand entrance hall never fails to awe. … Continue reading →

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

The 17th Century Kindle

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 1617. William Hakewill commissioned a traveling library to give as a gift to a friend. The Jacobean miniature mobile library consisted of fifty gold-tooled vellum-bound miniature books contained in a wooden case that resembled a large folio. Inside there were … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Museums | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mark Twain Travel Writer

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When we think about the great 19th century American writer Mark Twain, his lauded Mississippi River novels usually come to mind. However, it was the 1869 travel book The Innocents Abroad, or The New Pilgrim’s Progress  which first brought him prominence. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Middle East, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment