Reflections on Cambridge

The traditions and creativity of Cambridge University have survived 800 years. In celebration, this first-ever combined historical and anthropological analysis explores the culture, the customs, the colleges and the politics of this famous institution. A professor there for nearly forty years, the author sets forth on a personal but also dispassionate attempt to understand how this ancient university developed and changed and how it continues to influence all people who pass through it. This book delves into the history and architecture as well as the charm and the ghosts of Cambridge, presenting a must-read for anyone who studies, teaches, visits, or is intrigued by this great intellectual centre.


Alan Macfarlane is Professor of Anthropological Science, University of Cambridge, and Life Fellow, King’s College Cambridge. In 1986 he was elected a Fellow of the British Academy. He was born in Assam, India, and his work covers Britain, India, China and Japan. Throughout his distinguished career, Alan Macfarlane has published widely in history and anthropology. His publications include Witchcraft in Tudor and Stuart England ((1970) 1999) Routledge, London, Resources and Population(1976) CUP, The Origins of English Individualism (1978) Blackwell, Oxford, A Guide to English Historical Records (1983) CUP, The Culture of Capitalism (1987) Blackwell, Oxford, The Savage Wars of Peace (1997) Blackwell, Oxford, Green Gold: The Empire of Tea (2003) (with Iris Macfarlane) Ebury Press.

Traditiile si creativitatea Universitatii Cambridge au supravietuit 800 de ani. In celebrare, aceasta analiza istorica si antropologica combinata pentru prima data exploreaza cultura, obiceiurile, colegiile si politica acestei celebre institutii.