Scotland by the book

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I am fortunate to have spent quite a bit of quality time visiting Scotland over the years and hope to return in the not too distant future. When I do, the new free app Scotland by-the-Book from Birlinn Publishers should be just the ticket for travel planning.

The smartphone and desktop application provides links to books on history, geology, mapping, food and drink, fiction, travel, poetry, culture, and politics. The app includes an interactive map of Scotland featuring the best books and writers, bookshops and literary events this country has to offer. It is designed for people exploring the country and looking for books connected to a specific area – for those exploring their genealogy perhaps, planning a trip, studying – or simply with an interest in writing on and from that area of the country.

How it Works

  • Browse Scotland by region, explore books tied to specific landmarks and find out more about each area.
  • Explore the map to discover book recommendations, bookshops to visit and festivals to attend.
  • Within a region, use the filter buttons to hone your search.
  • Add specific books, shops and events to your favourites so you can return to them any time.
  • Visit the directory to view our full list of books, bookshops, and events.
  • Click on individual pins to find out more information, buy books online, download ebooks and get directions to specific shops and festival venues.

 

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A river of Portuguese red

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

While I was in Portugal earlier this month, I read a local news story about a tragic loss of thousands of liters of red wine due to a storage tank collapse. And in an odd coincidence, I just spotted a poem in the excellent online poetry magazine Light about the wine flood. Written by Julia Griffin, “Marooned”, offers a poetic take on the unexpect wine cascade in little São Lourenço.

Marooned

by Julia Griffin

In quaint São Lourenço, no angels will tread:
The streets are all streaming with Portugal Red.
You’d think that the heart of the village had bled,
But no! It’s a river of Portugal Red.
The wine, like the story, has steadily spread;
Our reading is dripping with Portugal Red;
Levira’s the wellspring, the grand fountainhead
Of ruddy and rubicund Portugal Red.
Fly in and mop up what the vintners have shed!
Come soak yourself silly in Portugal Red!
Or if you want sherry, try Jerez instead,
And skip this importunate Portugal Red.

 

Posted in Europe, Writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Seeing London for Free

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Starting today, visitors to London will be able to book free tickets for the new viewing gallery called  Horizon 22, which gets its name from the unique view of the London horizon that you’ll get to see from the skycraper located at 22 Bishopsgate.

The site offers a 300 degree vista from London’s second tallest building. The viewing gallery — at 254 meters above street level — is the highest in Europe that’s free of charge.

The Horizon 22 will open to the public on Wednesday, September 27. Visitors are encouraged book tickets well in advance, with free tickets available from the Horizon 22 website as of today.

 

Posted in Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Florida ! Love it or hate it

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Florida is one of those places that you never really know unless you’ve lived there. Having spent the better part of my twenties in the Sunshine State, and having resided in both South and North Florida, I feel that my understanding of the place is equal to most. I can honestly say that I loved living in Florida, until I didn’t.

The new book Florida!, which is illustrated by Gabriel Alcala, takes a decidedly tongue in cheek look at America’s playground. The not quite travel guide book dives into local histories with essays and interviews, but also offers wacky Florida survival guides like a step-by-step diagram on “kicking a shark’s ass.”  This is not a fanciful diversion. If you swim off of Florida’s beaches, you are guaranteed to be sharing the ocean with sharks.

Surprisingly, Florida! is published by A24 the film production company that uncoincidently produced movies like The Florida Project, set in a budget motel in Disney World’s shadow. Zola, Spring Breakers and Moonlight .

Along with the on point clever illustrations, you’ll also find a selection of terrific photos at work in Florida! – both contemporary and licensed vintage work.

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The Exhaustive Output

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Starting with Common Sense

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Books That Shaped America is a new 10-part series – a joint original feature production from C-SPAN and the Library of Congress – will trace America’s history by examining masterpieces in literature that have had, and still have today, a major impact on society.

The series which C-SPAN will air LIVE on Mondays, starting September 18 at 9 p.m. ET for 10 weeks will feature:

  • September 18 – Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776)
  • September 25 – The Federalist by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & John Jay (1788)
  • October 2 – History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark (1814)
  • October 9 – Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass (1845)
  • October 16 – The Common Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1881)
  • October 23 – Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)
  • October 30 – My Antonia by Willa Cather (1918)
  • November 6 – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston (1937)
  • November 13 – Free to Choose: A Personal Statement by Milton & Rose Friedman (1980)
  • November 20 – The Words of Cesar Chavez by Cesar Chavez (2002)

The new series was inspired by a list of 100 ‘Books that Shaped America‘ and an exhibition curated at the Library of Congress 10 years ago based on the results of a public survey about books that provoked thought, controversy and change throughout American history. Viewers of the series this fall will be able to weigh in with their own thoughts about books that had an impact on the nation.

The audience will see first edition copies of famous works authored by Thomas Paine, Frederick Douglass, Mark Twain, Zora Neale Hurston and others, plus rare photos, maps, correspondence, and other items that highlight these books and the times during which they were written.

“Over the course of 10 weeks this fall, ‘Books that Shaped America’ will shine a light on a diverse group of books and authors whose skill with the written word and powerful storytelling left a lasting impression on our nation,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “These 10 books are just a start. Throughout the series, we will invite Americans to join the conversation and share their perspectives about more books that shaped America.”

 

 

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It is that time of year again when the leaves in the northern hemisphere change colors. As it does each Autumn, SmokyMountains.com has published their best guess as to when the leaves will be changing in various parts of the country. I just returned from a trip to the sub-tropical paradise of São Miguel, Portugal and it certainly felt like Fall this morning here in the Philadelphia metro area.

 

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Streets of Europe

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

During my internet wanders, I stumbled upon a mesmerizing series of data visualization videos on the streets of European capitals. The videos were created by Anders Sundell who teaches data visualization at the University of Gothenberg. Here’s how he describes his video project:

“This is just a visualization of the street network of the central parts of ten European capitals. It does not show growth over time. The animation was coded in JavaScript, with the help of ChatGPT. Street data from Open Street Map. Previous videos: Asia:    • Streets of Asia   United States:    • Streets of USA   Timestamps: 00:00 Paris 00:16 Berlin 00:29 Rome 00:43 London 00:59 Vienna 01:12 Madrid 01:28 Amsterdam 01:43 Copenhagen 01:58 Warsaw 02:12 Prague Music: Rejuvenate – Jobii from http://www.epidemicsound.com.”

nb: if the video fails to launch in your email, please click here.

 

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Great Art Cities

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered a YouTube channel created by gallerists James Payne and Joanne Shurvell that focuses on lesser known art museums in European cities that are often overlooked by visitors. Their art and travel series, Great Art Cities Explained, concentrates on the excellent, smaller museums the superstar institutions often overshadow.

The first two episodes focus on  Sir John Soane’s Museum, Kenwood House, the Wallace Collection, Le Musée National Eugène Delacroix, Le Musée de Montmartre à Paris, and Atelier Brancusi .

 

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Exercise for Bibliophiles

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Dave Coverly

 

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