A Traveller's History of Oxford

By Richard Tames and Richard L. Tames

Book Overview

A Traveller's History of Oxford gives the reader a clear account of Oxford's earliest beginnings from Roman times, its Anglo-Saxon past, its importance in medieval England, the founding of the different colleges, its status as Royalist capital during the Civil War and after this crisis, and its recovery and continuing growth right up to the twenty-first century. The book also looks closely at the story behind the beautiful buildings and discusses Oxford's gifts to the world both in the alumni, which include five kings, 25 British Prime Ministers, 36 Nobel Prize winners, and 85 archbishops, and in the world of ideas: the legends of King Arthur, the English Bible, Anglicanism, the Royal Society, Methodism, Pre-Raphaelites, Alice and Wonderland, Aestheticism, OED, Inspector Morse, ...The list is endless. It also has practical information, illustrated with maps, on exploring the town and a Chronology of Events.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566564670
• ISBN13: 9781566564670
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Interlink Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A history, not a travel guide

I am going to Oxford University this summer to give a paper, and I wanted to learn a bit more about the two and university before I got there. I was hoping for a book that was a bit more of a travel book with some history thrown in. Instead, this is a straight history, both of Oxfordshire, and the various colleges that that comprise the university. It was informative and well written, just not exactly what I was looking for. I highly recommend the book if you're looking for a bit of history, and suggest you look in other places if you seek a travel guide.

Especially recommended for on-site vacationers

A Traveller's History Of Oxford by Richard Tames (Lecturer for the London Programs of Syracuse University and the American University) is an superbly researched, accessibly written, deftly informative guide to exploring and appreciating one of Britain's most famous and provincial cities. Featuring Oxford's history, museum highlights, recommendations for bicycle, car, train and bus trips, this handy and "user friendly" volume is enhanced with sections devoted to sports, walking tours, a bibliography, glossary, and an index. A Traveller's History Of Oxford is especially recommended for on-site vacationers and is ideal for "armchair travelers" wanting to know more about the history and attractions of this venerable English city.