Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author's brain, their soul and heart. A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted 'Top Tens' across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?

The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.

Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

In this volume we explore and enjoy the stories of authors who attended one of the great seats of learning. Amongst their storied number are Anthony Trollope, Radclyffe Hall, Lewis Carroll and a host of others.

01 - The Top 10 - Oxford - An Introduction

02 - Lord Arthur Savile's Crime - Part 1 by Oscar Wilde

03 - Lord Arthur Savile's Crime - Part 2 by Oscar Wilde

04 - Malachi's Cove by Anthony Trollope

05 - The Blank Cheque by Lewis Carroll

06 - Miss Ogilivy Finds Herself by Radclyffe Hall

07 - Lucifera by Anthony Hope

08 - Couching at the Door by D K Broster

09 - The Spectre of Tappington - Part 1 by Richard Harris Barham

10 - The Spectre of Tappington - Part 2 by Richard Harris Barham

10 - Thurnley Abbey by Perceval Landon

11 - The Omnibus by Arthur Quiller-Couch

12 - The Beast With Five Fingers by W F Harvey