A generation or so ago, the Inklings - C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Charles Williams - met regularly in an Oxford pub to encourage one another in the writing of fictions set in fantasy worlds... Philip Pullman's Gyptians live on an Oxford canal and it is from Oxford that his characters gain entry to another world... It is true that Oxford is a world to itself, a village where everyone stops in the Broad or the High to exchange local gossip... The visitor walking among the golden colleges may still see students setting off for examinations dressed in black and white... But encounters in the street are as likely to grapplings with politics (local, national and international) as exchanges about a point of scholarly detail... The 'reality' of Oxford is that it is not at all a land of faery.'

The University of Oxford is the third oldest university in Europe and remains one of the greatest universities in the world. How did such an ancient institution flourish through the ages?This book offers a succinct illustrated account of its colourful and controversial 800-year history, from medieval times through the Reformation and on to the nineteenth century, in which the foundations of the modern tutorial system were laid. It describes the extraordinary and influential people who shaped the development of the institution and helped to create today's world-class research university.Institutions have waxed and waned over the centuries but Oxford has always succeeded in reinventing itself to meet the demands of a new age. Richly illustrated with archival material, prints and portraits, this book explores how a university in a small provincial town rose to become one of the top universities in the world at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

This fresh and readable account gives a complete history of the University of Oxford, from its beginnings in the 11th century to the present day - charting Oxford's improbable rise from provincial backwater to modern meritocratic and secular university with an ever-growing commitment to new research.

This richly illustrated book traces the story of Oxford University from its origins in the Middle Ages to the present day. Written by a team of scholars, all authorities in their fields, it spans 800 years of learning and incident to give a uniquely authoritative history of the University for the general reader. Since the Middle Ages, Oxford University's part in learning has always been significant and colourful. Many future leaders of the nation have been educated there. The architecture of the University and colleges has become one of the glories of Europe, and its libraries and museums house a number of major collections. But most importantly, a university must be judged by its attachment to scholarship - a theme which runs throughout this book. Students have been drawn to Oxford from all over the world, and today the University is internationally recognized for its contribution to research, both in the sciences and in the liberal arts. Authoritative, scholarly, and informative, this book captures the richness and diversity of Oxford University, and its contribution to the nation and to the world. In addition to over 200 illustrations, including 24 full-colour plates, specifically chosen to complement the wide-ranging text, there are also 5 maps, a chronology, annotated guides to further reading, and a full index.

'Early Modern' is a term applied to the period which falls between the end of the middle ages and the beginning of the nineteenth century. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Europe in this period, exploring the changes and transitions involved in the move towards modernity. Nine newly commissioned chapters under the careful editorship of Euan Cameron cover social, political, economic, and cultural perspectives, all contributing to a full and vibrant picture of Europe during this time. The chapters are organized thematically, and consider the evolving European economy and society, the impact of new ideas on religion, and the emergence of modern political attitudes and techniques. The text is complemented with many illustrations throughout to give a feel of the changes in life beyond the raw historical data.

The story of Oxford University Press spans five centuries of printing and publishing. This first volume traces the beginnings of the University Press, its relationship with the University, and developments in printing and the book trade, as well as the growing influence of the Press on the city of Oxford.

Volume 1. From the beginnings to Old Kingdom Egypt and the dynasty of Akkad.

A single-volume, sumptuously illustrated history of the world specifically designed for grade schoolers, this readable volume follows the evolution of humankind from the earliest colonization of the world to the beginning of the new millennium. This beautiful book is made truly accessible to children. Organized chronologically in five sections, it contains a series of double-page spreads, each focusing on a major historical period. Whether it is Medieval Africa or the Ottoman Empire, or Louis XIV's Europe or American Independence that strikes your fancy, you will find it here. Color maps, illustrations, drawings, and photographs add information and make the easily digestible text even more accessible and visually appealing. Feature boxes look more closely into specific subjects and historical figures like Marco Polo, pilgrimage, or the Korean War. Each section concludes with illustrated "Who's Who" and "Timeline" segments, which present a quick survey of the most significant events and personalities of the period and allow a comparison between regions at a glance. A glossary and comprehensive index wrap up this helpful reference. Written from a global perspective, The Oxford Children's History of the World recounts the important events in the development of civilizations not only in Europe but also in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Up-to-date, thorough, and imaginatively illustrated in full color, it is the perfect introduction to social studies for children.

This text traces the language from its obscure Indo-European roots to its 21st-century position as the world's first language. It describes the history of English within the British Isles, its changing roles in different places, and its rise to global pre-eminence.