A witty and detailed map of Oxbridge, presented through an encyclopaedic treasure trove of facts, figures, and anecdotes. "If Oxford were not the finest thing in England," wrote Henry James, "the case would be clearer for Cambridge." No other private institutions have had a greater impact on England's—and, at times, world—history, yet in different ways. Oxford has spawned more prime ministers, Cambridge more Nobel laureates. In Oxford, so it is said, things are brilliantly formulated; in Cambridge, they are seriously thought through. Ever since the Victorian novelist William Thackeray invented a mythical "Oxbridge," these two very distinctive institutions have increasingly presented a common face to the world, a homogeneous elite whose sense of duty has been surpassed only by its self-confidence. For almost 800 years, the twin capitals of the intellectual life of England have radiated their influence across the globe: not just political leaders, but the best spies Communism could recruit; not just church leaders, but the great heretics and reformers; and writers, scientists, and scholars of every description. Peter Sager roams through the idyllic gardens and courtyards of Oxbridge, uncovers the secrets that lie behind the college gates, and supports his literary journey with color photographs and maps, a glossary, a list of useful addresses, and a guide to further reading. Oxford & Cambridge is a unique combination of travel guide, history, biography, and psychoanalysis of two towns that are not just places but states of mind. 63 illustrations, 47 in color.

What happens if I drop an ant? What books are bad for you? What percentage of the world's water is contained in a cow? The Oxbridge undergraduate interviews are infamous for their unique ways of assessing candidates, and from these peculiar enquiries, professors can tell just how smart you really are. John Farndon has collected together 75 of the most intriguing questions taken from actual admission interviews and gives full answers to each, taking the reader through the fascinating histories, philosophies, sciences and arts that underlie each problem. This is a book for everyone who likes to think they're clever, or who thinks they'd like to be clever. And cleverness is not just knowing stuff, it's how laterally, deeply and interestingly you can bend your brain. Guesstimating the population of Croydon, for example, opens a chain of thought from which you can predict the strength of a nuclear bomb ...and that's just the start of it.

An illustrated history of Oxford and Cambridge beginning in the 12th century and continuing through to the present day, written in an engaging style and accompanied by 219 magnificent photographs.

Welcome to London, Oxford, and Cambridge--Let's Go style. Discover some of the best-kept culinary secrets in London's West End. Pay a visit to Oxford, whose halls have churned out the likes of WH Auden and Albert Einstein, or Emma Thompson's alma mater, Cambridge, where the student--not the tourist--is king. Whether you're visiting for a summer or a semester, there's time to take in all the coolest theaters, galleries, and most spectacular historical landmarks--and without breaking the bank. Let's Go publishes the world's favorite student travel guides, written entirely by Harvard undergraduates. Armed with pens, notebooks, and a few changes of underwear stuffed in their backpacks, our student researchers go across continents, through time zones, and above expectations to seek out invaluable travel experiences for our readers. Let's Go has been on the road for 50 years and counting: We're on a mission to provide our readers with sharp, fresh coverage packed with socially responsible opportunities to go beyond tourism.