Category Archives: History

You can’t stop a booklover

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Photography | Tagged | 3 Comments

London 1927

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Since nearly all of the movie footage that we see from the first half of the 20th century was shot in black and white, we miss out on the rich texture of those bye-gone years. So, this amazing film of … Continue reading →

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

How Orwellian

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Some perplexing news out of India this week reporting that George Orwell’s birthplace in Motari, Bihar is being developed into a memorial site—but to Mahatma Gandhi not Eric Blair. The little bungalow, where Orwell was born and lived until he … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, History, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Geography Is Always In Fashion

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

We have featured diverse and miscellaneous maps and cartographic forms, but this is probably the most fashionable use of maps to date. London-based artist and designer Elisabeth Lecourt painstakingly created her marvelous series titled “Les robes géographiques” from prints of historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Europe, History, Maps, Middle East | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lost and Found

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the venerable National Geographic has created a wonderful new blog designed to solely showcase never before published photographs from its extensive archive. The Found blog is being built by National Geographic photographic archive curator … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Europe, History, Photography, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What is Modernismo ?

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Barcelona’s home-grown Art Nouveau movement known as Modernista or Modernismo dates from the late 19th century, but remains an ever-present influence in this glorious city. On my last visit, I wish that I had this inspired new map of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Maps, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Literary Passports

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

A passport, with all of its stamps and visas, can reveal quite a bit about the bearer. How many travelers have played the where have you been game by passing passports around a train compartment or a hostel common room … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

So It Goes

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

As a longtime Vonnegut fan, I was very impressed by this cleverly designed poster created by New Jersey graphic designer Maya Eilam. The ingenious visual represents Kurt Vonnegut’s early theories regarding archetypal story lines in Western literature.

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

A Terminal, Not A Station

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

On February 1, 1913, more than 150,000 curious New Yorkers crowded into the new Grand Central Terminal to gape at the city’s revolutionary transportation hub. Situated in the heart of Manhattan at Park Avenue and 42nd Street, the marvel of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Clocks Were Striking Thirteen

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Penguin UK has decided to mark the sixty-third anniversary of George Orwell‘s death by launching “George Orwell Day” and by issuing a series of new paperback editions of his most beloved books. The series has all original covers designed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, History, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment