Tag Archives: Animal Farm

Orwell, Animal Farm and Ukraine

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

In 1946, Ihor Szewczenko ,who was a linguist who had been editing pocket-sized Ukrainian-English dictionaries for refugees in displaced persons camps in Germany, wrote to George Orwell requesting permission to translate Animal Farm into Ukrainian. He explained that his Ukrainian … Continue reading →

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Man serves the interests of no creature except himself

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I first read George Orwell’s seminal anti-totalitarianism satire  Animal Farm when I lacked the political sophistication to truly understand the significance of the story, but some how I managed to grasp the essential themes of idealism, power and corruption in … Continue reading →

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All animals are equal…

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I recently ran across the wonderful 50th anniversary edition of the first U.S. publication of George Orwell’s Animal House. Issued in 1995, Animal House: A Fairy Story features 100 mindblowing illustrations by the inimitable Ralph Steadman. Along with the addition of the brilliant illustrations, … Continue reading →

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It’s Still 1984

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
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It’s Always 1984 Somewhere

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

This week marks the 68th anniversary of the publication of George Orwell’s iconic dystopian novel 1984. In the extraordinary political environment that we now find ourselves, with Orwellian Newspeak the policy of the U.S. government and “alternative facts” flouted by an illegitimate regime, the … Continue reading →

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Defend Your Freedom To Read

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Held during the last week of September each year, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and raises awareness about the ongoing threats of censorship in the United States. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community—readers, authors, … 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 →

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