Publisher's Synopsis
This book recounts the astonishing many Nordic connections to Oxford. Norse Vikings were present before Oxford was a city in the form of Norse settlements in the area that still bears the name of the Nordic's favorite saint: St Clement. Not only does Norse & Nordic Oxford tell an important part of the Nordic cultural and academic history, it is also a full-fledged city-guide to Oxford. See Oxford's architecture, art, music, christianity, literature, languages, sports and lots and lots of other things through Nordic glasses. Each country has its own round Oxford trip in the book, showing locations of particular interest to respectively Icelanders, Finns, Swedes, Danes and Norwegians: "Nordic walking". You also get good tourist tips on what to eat and drink, where in Oxford to do it, which places it is most interesting to stay at and what things Nordics ought not to miss when visiting the city. There are expert tips you will not find in other guidebooks, rescue for Nordics in need (where you can buy standard Norse cuisine like goat cheese, crayfish, salt lamb, pirogues and rye bread) and a small basic course on English beers. The book offers rare historical pictures (such as Edvard Grieg in academic gown May 1906, after having made a mistake in connection with being awarded an honorary doctorate degree) and new original photos taken by the renowned English-Norwegian photographer Lill-Ann Chepstow-Lusty. Good maps show the way to the places associated with Inspector Morse, Tolkien & Lewis, Oxford museums' Nordic treasures and every college - etcetera. A full overview of the university's 38 colleges and six permanent private halls lists all affiliated Nordic and Nordic-related people, along with a brief history of each college. You get answers to most of what you could possibly wonder within Oxford's university world. In addition to all this the guidebook is packed with humor.
