Howdy, this is Jimmy Aiken, author of a daily defense, and you're listening to Pints with Jack.

My first taste of Oxford was comical enough.

Towns always show their worst face to the railway, but as I walked on and on, I became more bewildered.

Only when it became obvious that I was getting to open country,

did I turn round and look. There, behind me, far away, never more beautiful since, was the fabled

cluster of spires and towers. This is Pints with Jack, season 6, episode 44. Surprised by Oxford. After Hours with Dr. Carolyn Weller.

Welcome, everyone. Here on Pints with Jack, we're reading our way through the works of C.S. Louis.

And today's opening quotation comes from C.S. Lewis's spiritual autobiography, surprised by

Joy, where he describes his first encounter with Oxford, a city which would have a lifelong

impact on him, as well as on the other inclings. And today, I'll be speaking with someone else

who has also been greatly impacted by that city, Dr. Carolyn Weber, who recounts this experience

in her book, Surprised by Oxford.

In today's episode, we'll be talking about her book, the movie adaptation, as well as the

influence of that special city of dreaming spires. But first, a little bit about our guest.

Dr. Carolyn Weber is an award-winning author, popular professor and international speaker.

She has served as faculty at several universities and was the first female dean of St. Peter's College, Oxford.

She lives in a quirky old house out in the country with her family, along with their animal menagerie.

And, as mentioned, she's the author of Surprise by Oxford.

Dr. Carolyn Weber, welcome to Pites for Jack.

Thank you so much for having me.

This is a delight.

Yeah, it's been lovely to finally talk to you.

...