Follow
Books by D.J. Butler
Author Archives: David
The Same Size as Ours
“It is almost a cliche for archaeologists to remind their readers that people of the Stone Age had skulls and brains the same size as ours; but, symptomatic of the progressive age, many persist in believing our ancient ancestors were … Continue reading
Cosmic Cities
“The cosmos itself is what mattered to our ancestors. Their lives, their beliefs, their destinies–all were part of this bigger pageant. Just as the environment of their temples was made sacred by the metaphors of cosmic order, entire cities and … Continue reading
Posted in Quotation
Tagged Archaeoastronomy, Astronomy, Cosmos, E.C. Krupp, Echoes of the Ancient Skies
Leave a comment
Free Books!
Today and tomorrow (August 1 and 2), I’m at Salt City Steamfest, doing convention stuff. To celebrate, today and tomorrow, I’m giving away free ebooks. Liahona is part the first of City of the Saints, my western steampunk … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged City of the Saints, Free Books, Hellhound on My Trail, Horror, Liahona, Rock Band Fights Evil, Salt City Steamfest, Steampunk
Leave a comment
No Culture But Our Own
“[I]n the history of the world no culture but our own–and then only very recently–has chosen the path of pursuing the ideology of an infinite space-time that frames colossal cataclysmic events, with humanity relegated to the role of insignificant bystander.” … Continue reading
Posted in Quotation
Tagged Anthony Aveni, Astronomy, Science, Stairways to the Stars
Leave a comment
Advice
“Advice like: ‘Follow your heart!’ and “Be true to your vision!’ is fine if you’re in therapy. Me? I really want to improve my odds.” — Blake Snyder, Save the Cat!
Space Balrogs!
So I’m one of the founders of a semi-interactive speculative fiction live performance troupe, the Space Balrogs. What does that mean? It means Zombie Rock Opera, it means Choose Your Own Apocalypse, it means Supervillain Idol — you know, science … Continue reading
Unicorns
“Why did they go away, do you think? If there ever were such things.” “Who knows? Times change. Would you call this age a good one for unicorns?” “No, but I wonder if any man before us ever thought his … Continue reading
Bookshelf: Hamlet’s Mill
I’ve just finished re-reading Hamlet’s Mill, for the fourth time. That makes it the third-most-reread book in my library, I think, and the most-reread work of scholarly nonfiction. Hamlet’s Mill is about mythology. The authors argue that myth, and its … Continue reading
Posted in Bookshelf
Tagged Astrology, Astronomy, Gilgamesh, Giorgio de Santillana, Hamlet, Hamlet's Mill, Hertha von Dechend, Myth, Mythology, Worldbuilding
Leave a comment
Bookshelf: Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings
Here’s another one for you worldbuilders out there. I just re-read Charles Hapgood’s Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings. Depending on your perspective, this is either a persistent bit of quackery or a classic of alternate history. Me, I’m not … Continue reading
Science fiction, when it is good
“Science fiction, when it is good, is a wholly valid attempt at restoring a mythical element, with its adventures and tragedies, its meditations on man’s errors and man’s fate. For true tragedy is an essential component or outcome of myth.” … Continue reading
Posted in Quotation
Tagged Giorgio de Santillana, Hamlet's Mill, Hertha von Dechend, Myth, Science Fiction
Leave a comment
