Category Archives: History

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.

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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 →

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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

Murder In The Library

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Classic locked-room mysteries, tales of murder and mayhem in quaint villages or gritty adventures on mean city streets. You will find all of that and more at the British Library’s upcoming exhibition titled Murder in the Library: An A-Z of Crime … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, ebooks, Europe, History, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Just 150 Years Ago

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Tomorrow January 9th will mark the 150th anniversary of the first official passenger trip on what would become known as the London Tube. On that momentous occasion, the Metropolitan Railway made its inaugural trip of 3.7 miles between Paddington and … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

There’s No Country Called Holland

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Colin Grey is a New Yorker who is now based in Britain. His Youtube channel is a treasure-trove of information on politics, geography, history and science. Quite a while back, we posted one of his clever videos on London. But … Continue reading →

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We Remember

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind: Into the darkness they go, the wise and … Continue reading →

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