LOL. Actually, as a kid I discovered Kenneth Roberts of Northwest Passage and Arundel fame and read all his books. One of them was For Authors Only and contained an essay on Oxford. I became so enamored with the place that I decided that was where I wanted to go to colllege. I sent away requesting a 'catalog' and was informed that it cost a Pound or so. I returned the request with some of my dad's WWII Australian currency souvenirs and my 'catalog', two hardback books, arrived in the mail shortly. I still have them. John McPhee, the writer who writes books about everything from fault lines to shad fishing, wrote a book and several essays about BIll Bradley who was a Rhodes Scholar. If I didn't have to fix the turkey, I would dig out several more books about Oxford. I have always found the place fascinating. Most well-read people can do the same. Anyone who studies British history will read biographies and most people who shaped their history attended either Oxford or Cambridge and their life stories will relate how the uniqueness of this experience shaped them. British literature is comprimised of authors who either attended Oxbridge, wrote about them, or both. I also know a couple of USNA grads who were Rhodes scholars and I have listened to them talk about their experiences. I rowed. Rowing has a long and distinguished history at Oxford. They and Cambridge have sent many boats to the Olympics. The Oxford-Cambridge race history is fascinating as is their method of 'bumping' in order to win since the Thames is so narrow they cannot pass each other. Regimental striped ties originated as hat bands the oarsmen wore on their boaters to distinguish them. The original sports 'letter' was derived from blazers these college athletes won for participating in sports. Needless to say I never attended. But I have visited.
However, from what I have read, Oxford University is not a university but a conglomeration of many colleges located in the town of Oxford. Everyone lives, eats, and 'attends' college within one of those particular institutions. Each college has it's own sports teams and everyone participates. Just like the US, some are better than others and different ones concentrate on different subjects. Each student is assigned a tutor who gives reading assignments with an essay each week. During their weekly session, the essay submitted the previous week is discussed, the new one collected, and the next week's assignment is made. This is the primary method of education. The few lectures that are offered are mostly seen as a waste of time and many students do not bother attending them. Ask an Oxford student his 'major' and he will tell you that he is 'reading' British History, or whatever. Needless to say, there is a lot of reading. Much of it encompasses the 'vacation' periods. This is the primary reason they exist.
No, Maximus, since I was not either being critical or attempting to find fault, have I read the website. However, for those attempting to find fault or make fun of any institution that they don't understand, it would probably be a good idea to do so before they post.
Last edited:
Little levity 
