Oxford: A Cultural and Literary Companion (Cities of the Imagination)

Rating:
Summary: An excellent general intro...
Review: "Oxford: A Cultural and Literary Companion" is an excellent short introduction to a fascinating town, especially for the first-time visitor. It's arranged chronologically, with each chapter spotlighting a key character in Oxford's history era by era...King Charles I, Dr. Johnson, Oscar Wilde, even the fictional Inspector Morse. The colleges most associated with each period get major coverage, and Mr. Horan uses a compact yet readable style to describe the many qualities, quirks and anecdotes that set off one college from another.

While any rundown of Oxford should concentrate on the university, Mr. Horan doesn't fail to delve into much else that makes up the town. Green spaces, bookstores, taverns and residential areas all receive their fair share of treatment, much of it spiced with wit.

My first visit to Oxford came last month, and I found this book an excellent guide to have along. It pointed me to the Gardener's Arms for one thing, a small pub off the beaten path that served as Bill Clinton's "local" during his second year in Oxford (if he didn't inhale, hope he at least swallowed).

The book's only main flaw, as I see it, is that it's pretty weak in the map department. Even so, I'd recommend this book both to travelers to Oxford or to casual readers interested in the subject.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent general intro...
Review: "Oxford: A Cultural and Literary Companion" is an excellent short introduction to a fascinating town, especially for the first-time visitor. It's arranged chronologically, with each chapter spotlighting a key character in Oxford's history era by era...King Charles I, Dr. Johnson, Oscar Wilde, even the fictional Inspector Morse. The colleges most associated with each period get major coverage, and Mr. Horan uses a compact yet readable style to describe the many qualities, quirks and anecdotes that set off one college from another.

While any rundown of Oxford should concentrate on the university, Mr. Horan doesn't fail to delve into much else that makes up the town. Green spaces, bookstores, taverns and residential areas all receive their fair share of treatment, much of it spiced with wit.

My first visit to Oxford came last month, and I found this book an excellent guide to have along. It pointed me to the Gardener's Arms for one thing, a small pub off the beaten path that served as Bill Clinton's "local" during his second year in Oxford (if he didn't inhale, hope he at least swallowed).

The book's only main flaw, as I see it, is that it's pretty weak in the map department. Even so, I'd recommend this book both to travelers to Oxford or to casual readers interested in the subject.