Category Archives: History

Bane of Banned Books

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Banned Books Week is the national book community’s annual celebration of the freedom to read. Hundreds of libraries and bookstores around the United States draw attention to the dangers of censorship by mounting displays of challenged books and hosting a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Freedom of Speech, History, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Key to Character

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In celebration of the bicentennial of Charles Dickens’ birth, the New York Public Library has opened a wonderful, special exhibition called “Charles Dickens: The Key to Character”. Running through January 27, 2013, and held in the iconic Stephen A. Schwartzman … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Libraries, Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A History of New York

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Drawing inspiration from last year’s BBC/British Museum collaboration called “A History of the World in 100 Objects”, the New York Times selected a group of historians to decide what should be part of “A History of New York in 50 … Continue reading →

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What’s Your Type

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Next month, Gotham Books is releasing the paperback edition of its very entertaining title Just My Type by Simon Garfield. To promote the release, Gotham Books has posted this cool poster of “The Periodic Table of Typeface”. Here’s what Garfield … Continue reading →

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Is it Really Worth It ?

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Now that we are immersed in the quadrennial celebration of all things sport, it may be an appropriate moment to stop and examine the true costs of all this hoopla. After seeing exactly what the 2012 Olympic Games is costing … Continue reading →

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

Not the Route to the Olympics

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

London has many unique features, but few are aware that it’s the only city in Europe that can boast a railway line for the dead. The little-known London Necropolis Railway was constructed in the mid-19th century by the London Necropolis … Continue reading →

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Books That Shaped America

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The Library of Congress in Washington, D. C.  opened an exhibition last week celebrating “Books That Shaped America.” The exhibition is on 88 books that they’ve deemed to have the most influence on American culture . The selection was hotly debated over … Continue reading →

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Road Trip Time Machine

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Did the minivan kill the station wagon? Do you even know what a “station wagon” is? Those of us who are old enough to have owned one will enjoy a trip down memory lane with film makers Sam Smartt and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Anne Frank’s Amsterdam

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

On June 12, 1942 Anne Frank celebrated her 13th birthday in Amsterdam. Her parents gave her a diary with a red and white checkered cover. “I hope I wll be able to confide everything to you, as I have never … Continue reading →

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Rembrandt’s Facebook Timeline

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Amsterdam‘s celebrated Rijksmuseum may be over 200 years-old, but it’s hip to 21st century social media marketing. The museum has cleverly “imagined” what Rembrandt’s Facebook Timeline would look like. “I made a self-portrait. Let me know what you think!”

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