Oxford University has always played a key role in the city.  Read about its history in The Oxford Book of Oxford, by Jan Morris.  The author and several other contributors share their commentaries on the university's fascinating past and its prominent present.

The Landmark Visitors Guide for Oxford is a useful book to bring on your trip.  This city is full of historically notable buildings, and this book is a handy guide to finding them and learning about their interesting features and histories.  Additional tips for tourists are found throughout sections on restaurants, shopping and accommodations.

The Blue Guide to Oxford and Cambridge is another handy guide to have with you.  In addition to lots of useful information about sightseeing, entertainment and day trips, it includes several detailed maps that make navigating these historic cities easy and enjoyable.

Oxford:  A Cultural and Literary Companion, by David Horan and published in 1999, provides an excellent introduction to Oxford  and its history.

Itchy Insider's Guide to Oxford, published in 2004, is another useful resource with udpated info on local happenings in Oxford.

You can also download the free Schmap Oxford Guide which was released in July 2006.  It contains digital maps that you can custom print with your own restaurant, hotel, historical landmark, and other itinerary points of interest.

Always browse the relevant DK Eyewitness Travel Guide for Great Britain or England or Oxford. Do not forget to check out any AA Explorer,  AA Key  or AA Spiral Guide to England or Oxford.

Travel Pictorial books are always worth looking at the excellent photography.