Oxford Messed Up

Oxford Messed Up PDF

Author: Andrea Kayne Kaufman

Publisher:

Published: 2011-11

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780984675104

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Oxford Messed Up is a unique literary love story that transports readers on a meaningful and emotional journey where the academic world of Oxford, the music of Van Morrison, and an old claw-foot bathtub serve as a backdrop for learning, self-discovery, and transcendent love. Rhodes Scholar Gloria Zimmerman is an academic superstar who has come to Oxford University to study feminist poetry. Yet the rigors of the academy pale in comparison to her untreated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, fueled by her overachieving parents and manifested in a deathly aversion to germs and human contact. Her next-door neighbor (who is also, to her mortification, her loomate) is Henry Young, the appealing but underachieving musician son of an overbearing and disapproving Oxford don. Still mourning the death of his supportive mother while enduring the mockery of his disapproving and merciless father, Henry is haunted by the unexpectedly serious ramifications of a reckless and tragic youth. Gloria and Henry's relationship evolves from a shared obsession with Van Morrison's music into a desire on the part of each to fill in the gaps in the life of the other. Yet the constraints of a debilitating illness and the looming revelation of a catastrophic secret conspire to throw their worlds into upheaval and threaten the possibilities of their unlikely yet redemptive love.

Oxford Messed Up

Oxford Messed Up PDF

Author: Andrea Kayne Kaufman

Publisher:

Published: 2011-11-01

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13: 9780615516592

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Who knew that life in one Oxford dorm, with a shared bathroom, would become the catalyst for self-examination and exploration not only of one's soul, but ultimately of one's soulmate? The lyrics of Van Morrison's music, the poetry of Sylvia Plath, and an old clawfoot bathtub provoke this unexpected journey where the exotic locale of Oxford University is an engaging backdrop for true learning as Gloria Zimmerman and Henry Young discover the loveliness in their own germs and each other. Rhodes Scholar Gloria Zimmerman is an academic superstar, who has come to Oxford to study feminist poetry. Yet the rigors of the academy pale in comparison with the untreated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that she suffers, fueled by her overachieving Chicago parents, and manifested in a deathly aversion to germs and human contact. Her OCD has left her hands rubbed as raw as a burn victim's and her psyche shattered and in thrall to a possessive and codependent externalized inner voice. Her dormitory room neighbor (who is also, to her mortification, her roommate) is Henry Young, the appealing but underachieving musician son of an overbearing and disapproving Oxford don. Still mourning the death of his supportive mother while enduring the mockery of his disapproving and merciless father, Henry is haunted by the unexpectedly serious ramifications of a reckless and tragic youth. Their relationship evolves from a shared obsession with Van Morrison's music into a desire on the part of each to fill in the gaps in the life of the other. Henry seeks to enable Gloria to conquer her OCD and enter the world of intimacy, while Gloria will help Henry achieve academic success and earn the respect of his implacable father. Yet the constraints of a debilitating illness and the looming revelation of a catastrophic secret conspire to throw their worlds into upheaval, and threaten the possibilities of their unlikely, yet redemptive love.

Cracks in the Ivory Tower

Cracks in the Ivory Tower PDF

Author: Jason Brennan

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-04-01

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 0190846305

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Academics extol high-minded ideals, such as serving the common good and promoting social justice. Universities aim to be centers of learning that find the best and brightest students, treat them fairly, and equip them with the knowledge they need to lead better lives. But as Jason Brennan and Phillip Magness show in Cracks in the Ivory Tower, American universities fall far short of this ideal. At almost every level, they find that students, professors, and administrators are guided by self-interest rather than ethical concerns. College bureaucratic structures also often incentivize and reward bad behavior, while disincentivizing and even punishing good behavior. Most students, faculty, and administrators are out to serve themselves and pass their costs onto others. The problems are deep and pervasive: most academic marketing and advertising is semi-fraudulent. To justify their own pay raises and higher budgets, administrators hire expensive and unnecessary staff. Faculty exploit students for tuition dollars through gen-ed requirements. Students hardly learn anything and cheating is pervasive. At every level, academics disguise their pursuit of self-interest with high-faluting moral language. Marshaling an array of data, Brennan and Magness expose many of the ethical failings of academia and in turn reshape our understanding of how such high power institutions run their business. Everyone knows academia is dysfunctional. Brennan and Magness show the problems are worse than anyone realized. Academics have only themselves to blame.

When You Find Out the World Is Against You

When You Find Out the World Is Against You PDF

Author: Kelly Oxford

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 2017-04-18

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13: 0062322796

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“Kelly is part geek, part freak. When You Find Out The World Is Against You shows us ourselves: our sensitivities, our awkward moments, our strange desires. She takes us through summer camp, dating, rape culture, Trump, death . . . Kelly Oxford c’est moi.” — James Franco “Two things I’m grateful for: how imperfect Kelly Oxford is at life and decision-making, and how terrific she is at writing about what a goddamn mess she is.” — Patton Oswalt “Kelly Oxford’s writing is hilarious and fearless. She’s the badass Canadian sister I never had.” — Mindy Kaling “I have worshipped the mind of Kelly Oxford for eons. Kelly Oxford’s concise, whip-smart observations feel eerily universal. When You Find Out the World is Against You shows that there is something to be learned from even the most absurd or devastating moments of life.” — Jill Soloway “Kelly Oxford is a beautiful writer. She finds beauty in the mundane and humor in everyday eccentricities. She is our present-day, funny Joan Didion.” — Gia Coppola

Poorly Understood

Poorly Understood PDF

Author: Mark Robert Rank

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2021-03-01

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 0190881402

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What if the idealized image of American societya land of opportunity that will reward hard work with economic successis completely wrong? Few topics have as many myths, stereotypes, and misperceptions surrounding them as that of poverty in America. The poor have been badly misunderstood since the beginnings of the country, with the rhetoric only ratcheting up in recent times. Our current era of fake news, alternative facts, and media partisanship has led to a breeding ground for all types of myths and misinformation to gain traction and legitimacy. Poorly Understood is the first book to systematically address and confront many of the most widespread myths pertaining to poverty. Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock powerfully demonstrate that the realities of poverty are much different than the myths; indeed in many ways they are more disturbing. The idealized image of American society is one of abundant opportunities, with hard work being rewarded by economic prosperity. But what if this picture is wrong? What if poverty is an experience that touches the majority of Americans? What if hard work does not necessarily lead to economic well-being? What if the reasons for poverty are largely beyond the control of individuals? And if all of the evidence necessary to disprove these myths has been readily available for years, why do they remain so stubbornly pervasive? These are much more disturbing realities to consider because they call into question the very core of America's identity. Armed with the latest research, Poorly Understood not only challenges the myths of poverty and inequality, but it explains why these myths continue to exist, providing an innovative blueprint for how the nation can move forward to effectively alleviate American poverty.

My Father, the Pornographer

My Father, the Pornographer PDF

Author: Chris Offutt

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2017-04-11

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1501112473

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A memoir in which "writer Chris Offutt struggles to understand his recently deceased father based on his reading of the 400-plus novels [Andrew Offutt]--a well-known writer of pornography in the 1970s and 80s--left him in his will"--Publisher marketing.

Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar

Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar PDF

Author: Kelly Oxford

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2013-04-02

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 0062102249

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“Kelly Oxford has this unbelievable ability to tell stories in that way that makes you laugh without ever shoving jokes in your face. This book is basically an announcement that she’s one of the best humor writers working today.” — Justin Halpern, author of Sh*t My Dad Says “Kelly Oxford is like your cool babysitter who teaches you about sex and sarcasm in an un-creepy way. Hanging out with her book makes you wish your parents were always out to dinner.” — Lena Dunham “Kelly Oxford is a refreshing rarity in a sea of Hollywood suck-ups. She’s hilarious, hot, and the most truthful liar I’ve ever encountered.” — Diablo Cody “Kelly Oxford is the friend we all deserve-the one who tells us the best secrets, takes us on all the finest adventures, and remembers every hilariously embarrassing detail. Everything Is Perfect is sharply funny, and truly great.” — Cameron Crowe “Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar is personal without being exploitative, smart but utterly unpretentious, and a complete delight to read. I’m not lying when I say this book is damn near perfect.” — The Frisky, named "The Funniest Memoir You'll Ever Read" “Oxford’s writing is marked by the same wry voice that’s made her a social media sensation.” — Los Angeles Times “[Oxford’s] new book is full of humorous stories about growing up, making mistakes, stalking Leonardo DiCaprio, and braving Disneyland. . . It’s funny but also surprisingly touching. . . a coming-of-age story. . . just a hell of a lot funnier.” — Forbes “Kelly Oxford is the new cool kid in Hollywood. . . [In] Everything is Perfect When You’re A Liar Oxford displays the comic relief that’s been drawing celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel and Jessica Alba to her Twitter feed since 2009.” — New York Daily News “[Oxford] is one freakin’ funny lady. . . Hilarious.” — Daily Candy “Kelly Oxford in 140 characters seems like small doses of a great drug. We want more! Thanks to her new book, we’ve got it.” — Lifestyle Mirror “A hilariously mortifying memoir. . . Oxford plumbs her past for painful moments and turns them into slyly funny stories. . . These vignettes are vulnerable and powerful—they make us feel less freakish by comparison. Effortlessly cool, offbeat, devilish, dramatic Oxford makes sense and smart humor from her adventures.” — Interview “[Oxford’s] first book of humorous essays and we can officially confirm: They are indeed humorous.” — E! Online “The anecdotes included in the book will make you love [Oxford] even more than you probably already do, if that’s even possible. Kelly is truly hilarious. . . I couldn’t put this book down – you won’t be able to, either.” — HelloGiggles.com

AN Instance of the Fingerpost

AN Instance of the Fingerpost PDF

Author: Iain Pears

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 1999-03-01

Total Pages: 752

ISBN-13: 1101640111

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In 1663 Oxford, a servant girl confesses to a murder. But four witnesses--a medical student, the son of a traitor, a cryptographer, and an archivist--each finger a different culprit...