Oxford Life by Dacre Balsdon soon to be presented for sale on the wonderful BookLovers of Bath web site!
Published: London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1957, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Illustrated by way of: Photographic endpapers & blanks; Black & White Photographs; Facsimiles;
From the cover: THERE are many good books about Oxford, particularly about Oxford architecture, but there is no book which describes, as Mr Balsdons does, the day-to-day life of undergraduates, dons and College servants from the moment when Oxford wakes up from its Long Vacation to greet the Freshman each October, until, with the publication of the Class Lists, it pronounces sentence on the Third- and Fourth-Year man and goes to sleep again in the following July. Michaelmas Term is the Freshmans term; Hilary Term is nobodys term dull and middle-aged; Trinity Term is everybodys term, the Freshmans and the Second-Year mans for enjoyment, while for the Third- and Fourth-Year man it is, sadly, the end of it all.
This book will introduce those who as yet know nothing of Oxford, or know only its buildings, to the life which goes on there during the University year; it will remind those who have been at Oxford of their undergraduate life. It explains much that few undergraduates know, of the government of the University and of the Colleges. It explains some of the present-day problems of the University and of the Colleges and it describes the changes in the life of Oxford which have followed the 1939 war. It also looks back, in particular to Antony Wood and Thomas Hearne, for reminders that Oxford life two or three hundred years ago was not, in some respects, unrecognizably different from Oxford life today.
Good in Good Dust Wrapper. Unlaminated dust wrapper a little edgeworn and faded with a small damp-stain to the top corner of the upper panel, worn at the leading edge of the flaps and tanned on the verso. Gently bruised at the head, tail and corners of the binding. Edges of the text block lightly spotted. Text complete, clean and tight.
Blue boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 279 pages. Index. 8¾” x 5½”.
Of course, if you don’t like this one, may I captivate you with this splendid selection hither or maybe further, hand picked, books in my Social History catalogue?
BookLovers of Bath 