The traditions and creativity of Cambridge University have survived for more than 800 years. This is the first combined historical and anthropological account explores the culture, customs, colleges and the politics of this unique institution. Having taught there for nearly forty years, and conducted over a hundred in-depth film interviews of people who have been associated with the University, Alan Macfarlane sets forth a personal but also dispassionate portrait of how this ancient university developed and changed and how it continues to influence those who pass through it. The book delves into the history and architecture as well as the charm and the ghosts of Cambridge. It is divided into sections on history, culture, society and ideas and includes a new final chapter explaining recent change and the reasons for Cambridge's contribution to world civilisation. It is for all those who want to understand more deeply how a great western university works.