Category Archives: History

It’s Always 1984 Somewhere

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Shortly after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, George Orwell volunteered to fight for the Republicans against Franco’s fascist Nationalist rebellion. He joined the far-left POUM ( Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification), in which he fought as an infantryman. In his … Continue reading →

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Mark Twain: A Skeptic’s Progress

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

If you are going to be in the NYC area this Fall be sure to plan on visting the Morgan Library for Mark Twain: A Skeptic’s Progress which runs from September 9, 2010 until January 3, 2011. The Morgan Library … Continue reading →

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The Atlas Obscura…don’t get lost there

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

 Welcome to the Atlas Obscura, a compendium of this age’s wonders, curiosities, and esoterica. The Atlas Obscura is a collaborative project with the goal of cataloging all of the singular, eccentric, bizarre, fantastical, and strange out-of-the-way places that get left … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Canada, Europe, History, Middle East, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

Celebrate A Philly Fourth

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

During the sweltering summer of 1776, fifty-six unlikely revolutionaries defied the King of England and gathered at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia to declare independence for the fledgling United States of America.  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, … Continue reading →

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Museo Galileo Reopens

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza (Institute and Museum of the History of Science) has undergone a renovation involving a complete redesign of its exhibition areas and displays. On June 11th, it reopened under the new name of … Continue reading →

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Alone In Berlin…Again

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Topography of Terror Museum Earlier this month, I posted a short review of Hans Fallada’s riveting saga Alone In Berlin (Every Man Dies Alone) which generated some interesting comments and emails. One of these led me back to my travel … Continue reading →

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Pushing the Envelope in Poland

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Art gallery owners in Poznan, Poland are facing jail-time over an enormous banner outside of their gallery advertising an upcoming show titled “Abnormal Nudes”. The huge poster features a nude Minnie Mouse sprawled under a giant Nazi swastika. The banner … Continue reading →

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Alone In Berlin (Every Man Dies Alone)

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Fear permeates Hans Fallada’s gripping novel Alone In Berlin ( Every Man Dies Alone, US title). Visceral, soul-numbing paranoia and fear suffuses everyday life for the ordinary people who populate this sweeping saga of Nazi Germany during World War II. … Continue reading →

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Keeping History Alive : D-Day

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The following post was provided by photographer Valerie Jardin. It’s an excerpt from her moving photo essay, Keeping History Alive. It was in July 2009, in the town of St Lô in Normandy, that I met the Carentan Liberty’s Group.  The … Continue reading →

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