Category Archives: History

That Old Book Smell

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

As a life-long book collector and a long-time bookseller, I have always loved that special woody, floral, dusky aroma that only emanates from books with age. But what precisely is “that old book smell”? The journal Heritage Science has published an … Continue reading →

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Is Terry Gilliam the Father of the Gif ?

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to Adam Koszary and the Bodleian Libraries.

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Do Not Obey In Advance

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

It may be just a marketing ploy by Penguin Random House, but the publisher has printed the text of Timothy Synders’ chilling book On Tyranny onto a series of large posters and put them up  in east London. The powerful posters, which … Continue reading →

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Thinking of Saint Petersburg

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Since yesterday’s terrorist bombing,  I have been thinking about Saint Petersburg and all of the amazing people that I met there on my visit six months ago. With the heightened tensions between the United States and Russia, I had anticipated … Continue reading →

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Revolutionary Philadelphia

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Set to open on April 19, 2017, the new Museum of the American Revolution promises to be a welcome addition to Philadelphia’s collection of exceptional museums and historical attraction. Covering 118,000 square feet, the museum will offer an impressive collection … Continue reading →

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Sgt. Pepper Turns Fifty

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

On June 1, 1967, the Beatles released Sgt.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to worldwide acclaim. To mark the anniversary, the city of Liverpool has commissioned leading international artists to create thirteen events influenced by each track on the seminal album. Between May … Continue reading →

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London Stopover

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

There are so many things to see and do in London that it would take a lifetime to cover them all. So what would you do with a 24 hour stopover in the British capital? The infographic below from Central … Continue reading →

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They had me at chocolate

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

New York chocolate guru Jacques Torres has just opened Manhattan’s first chocolate museum in Soho. The Chocolate Museum and Experience focuses on the origins, evolution and cultural significance of the food of the gods. The museum features relevant Mayan, Aztec, and European … Continue reading →

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Don’t Mention The War

Posted on March 11, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Situated on the shores of the Laacher See near Andernach in Germany, Abbey Maria Laach is a handsome 800 year-old center of devotion and learning with a gorgeous 18th century library and a dark history. During the years leading up … Continue reading →

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Book Lover’s Guide To Coffee

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

If you love coffee as much as I do, you may want to download a free copy of The Book Lover’s Guide to Coffee. The e-book from Penguin Random House features stories on the cultural significance of the heavenly beverage, tips on … Continue reading →

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