Category Archives: History

Wise Men Fished Here

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 2005, the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York City closed its bricks and mortar store. By 2007, the iconic Manhattan bookseller was out of business for good.  Fortunately, the University of Pennsylvania was gifted much of the contents … Continue reading →

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

Take A Stand

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Today is the birthday anniversary of African American sociologist, historian, writer, educator, poet, scholar, and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois. Born February 23, 1868, Du Bois was the first black man to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University … Continue reading →

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

What’s so funny about peace and understanding

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The 1964 World’s Fair was a two-year event centered on peace, understanding, and apparently, pop-up books. Released in 1963, Peter and Wendy See the New York World’s Fair shows two children, Peter and Wendy, – no relation to Peter Pan or Wendy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, History, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Center for Fiction

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Awhile ago I shared a story about the imminent big move for New York City’s historic Center for Fiction from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Well, it has finally happened and the new site’s grand opening is on Tuesday February 19th. The … Continue reading →

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Misteriosi d’Italia

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon a marvelous new book of stories and illustrations exploring magical places, spooky folklore, mysterious legends, and unexplained phenomena in Italy. The Atlas of Mysterious Places of Italy was a joint project of illustrator Francesco Bongiorni and writer Massimo … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, History, Maps | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Space Invaders

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Science fiction satire isn’t a new phenomena. The War of the Wenuses by Charles L. Graves and Edward V. Lucas is a parody of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds published in 1898. The story chronicles an invasion by gorgeous Venusian women who … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

My Phoenician is a bit rusty

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Books, History, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Britain In Pictures

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The books  in the 1940s Britain in Pictures series were designed to boost morale during World War II, but perhaps also record the British way of life in case the Germans completed their European campaign by successfully crossing the English Channel. The … Continue reading →

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Paris Remembers

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Four years ago  this week, Paris was shocked by the terror attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. French street artist Christian Guémy, aka C215,  has paid tribute to the eleven victims of the horrific attack with a mural . At the … Continue reading →

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Word on the Street : Treason

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Brian D. Butler
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