Category Archives: History

Land of Dreams

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In a public-private partnership between the U.S. government and the travel industry, this new $12.3 million ad campaign, called Land of Dreams, is about to be launched with distribution in Europe, Asia, South America and Canada over the coming months. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Europe, History, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Propaganda or Art

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Once again the United States has embarked on another seemingly endless Presidential Campaign. As electoral advertizing moves in to topgear we can expect to see all manner of campaign commercials, print art and propaganda. At least we can all enjoy … Continue reading →

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

Trainiacs Alert

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The 5th annual National Train Day on May 12th marks the 143rd anniversary of the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, the famed “golden spike” was driven into the final railroad tie … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Blade Runner is not Science Fiction

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In 1981, Philip K. Dick saw a television show featuring a segment about the soon to be released Ridley Scott film Blade Runner, based on his iconic novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. In response he wrote an impassioned letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, History | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Spies of Warsaw

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

According to sources at BBC plans have been completed for production of Spies of Warsaw, a two part historical spy drama adapted by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais from Alan Furst’s acclaimed novel. David Tennant (Doctor Who) has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, History | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Saving Pompeii

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The European Commission, along with the Italian government, has announced a four-year, € 105 milion plan to protect and improve the archeological site at Pompeii. Dubbed Grande Progetto Pompei, or the Great Pompeii Project, the plan is the result of … Continue reading →

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

Nearly Orwellian

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The Orwell Prize is Britain’s most prestigious award for writing. Each year a select committee awards the prize—actually four prizes—for work that aims to achieve George Orwell‘s goal “to make political writing into an art”. The long lists for the … Continue reading →

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Speaking of Pythons

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

A big tip of the hat to reader and contributor Evan Smythe for the link to this truly bizarre video from the former BBC television show Friday Night,Saturday Morning. Hosted by Tim Rice, the now famous lyricist, the episode was … Continue reading →

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Amsterdam This Summer ?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday marked the opening of the new temporary exhibition in the Anne Frank House: “We too might move on”. The exhibition sheds light on the flight of the Frank family, the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer from Germany to … Continue reading →

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La Dolce Vita

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Following the devastation of World War I, and the loss of income from foreign tourism, the Italian government developed a promotional agency, ENIT, to encourage Italian tourism abroad. An integral component of the campaign was the use of fabulous advertising … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, History, Tourism, Travel Writing | 3 Comments