Guide to an Unknown University - Softcover

Roman Krznaric; Christopher Whalen; Theodore Zeldin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0955140501 ISBN 13: 9780955140501

Publisher: The Oxford Muse, 2005

Synopsis

THE THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND IMAGINATIONS OF A UNIVERSITY
by students, researchers, professors, staff and alumni

-How a specialist in brain diseases cultivates his own mind
-How an undergraduate lives in doubt, in rebellion and in an imagined world
-Why a college porter writes poetry
-How polio has and has not coloured a professor’s life
-What motivates a government advisor, head of an Oxford college
-Why a former management consultant has returned to study history
-Why I painted my face, tooth and glasses black
-Why diary-writing and navel-gazing do not tell you who you are

What kind of human beings inhabit and inspire the University of Oxford? In what state do they emerge from it? What is most important to them and what is missing from their lives? This book reveals what they seldom make public, presenting them not as statistics or stereotypes, but as unique individuals. Each speaks in their own words, uncensored.

Introduced by THEODORE ZELDIN, author of AN INTIMATE HISTORY OF HUMANITY, this collection of portraits shows why and how universities need to reinvent themselves.

About this title

Review:

I don't normally talk about myself this much. It's a liberating experience. -- Comment from contributor

Writing a self-portrait is such an addictive thing. The more I write the more it challenges my thoughts. -- Comment from contributor

From the Publisher:

THE OXFORD MUSE is a charitable trust established in 2001 on the basis of ideas developed by Theodore Zeldin. Our aim is to stimulate courage and invention in personal, professional and cultural life. Visit our website at oxfordmuse.com.

This volume, containing the voices and writings of students, researchers, professors, staff and alumni of the University of Oxford, was coordinated and edited by Roman Krznaric, Christopher Whalen and Theodore Zeldin.

It is the second volume in our series Humanity: A Self-Portrait, whose purpose is to enable people everywhere to say what they want others to know about them and to discover what is important in the lives of others.

The first volume is Guide to an Unknown City, in which the inhabitants of the city of Oxford, from many walks of life, write and talk about themselves. The Oxford Muse is in the process of starting similar collections for other cities, institutions and businesses.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Oxford Muse
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0955140501
• ISBN 13: 9780955140501
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 438
• Editor: Zeldin Theodore