The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter (Paperback)

by Tere Stouffer (Author) "Before we can wade knee-deep into the specifics of Harry Potter's magical world, we need a common vocabulary, both for wizarding terms and for a..." (more)
Key Phrases: dark magic, shield charm, wizarding world, Harry Potter, Dark Wizards, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For fans of all ages …

Here is an entertaining and easily referenced presentation of insider information to the world that J.K. Rowling has created in her spellbinding series of novels. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the World of Harry Potter explores all aspects of the wizarding world and explains factually in terms of their relationship to historical, literary, religious, scientific, or mythological roots.
—In-depth information on the facts behind all seven books in the Harry Potter series
—Covers all the relevant influences for the Harry Potter series, from religion and mythology to science and literature.
—Can be read from cover to cover or used as a quick-reference guide


About the Author
Tere Stouffer, earned her M.A. in children’s literature at Hollins University, where she debated the relative merits of the Harry Potter novels with nationally recognized scholars and authors. She’s been invited twice to present papers at the prestigious Children’s Literature Association International Conference. She is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in writing for children at Hollins University, and an M.A. in storytelling at East Tennessee State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592575994
• ISBN-13: 978-1592575992
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,686 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Facts and Fun Information, November 21, 2007

By	Bonnie Neely - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Complete Idiot's Guide to The World of Harry Potter by Tere StoufferWhen I got this book I thought it might just be a recap of the Harry Potter books, all of which I enjoyed immensely. However, to my surprise and delight this is truly a GUIDE, although certainly not written for idiots, despite the catchy name of the series of excellent and informative books! Instead, it holds a wealth of fascinationg knowledge, showing that J.K. Rowling really researched her fantastic stories in minute detail,rather than making it all up. In this guide, which you can use like a dictionary to look up terms you don't understand in the British or archaic language, or which you can enjoy reading straight through and devouring the knowledge of medieval practices, beliefs, cures, spells, and more. You can understand terms used in fairy tales and old English and Celtic lore; increase your vocabulary to include many real words you didn't know; understand references to mythological traditions and floklore; have insight into the beliefs and legends of Egyptian, Greek, Mesopotamian, and Roman gods and traditions. You will learn about many herbs and the actual medicinal practices of ancient times, on which Rowling bases her potions. And, of course, many of the references and situations in the Harry Potter Series are explained and clarified, without ruining the plot of those you haven't yet read. This is a fascinating book to read even if you have not read the Rowling books. I highly recommend it!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Harry Potter Fan's Thoughts -- "Covers All Seven Books" is Slightly Misleading, January 7, 2008

By	George Buttner "Agent0042" (Dayton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"The Complete Idiots Guide to the World of Harry Potter" is a fine book in book in the line of reference books for the "Harry Potter" series. However, it's promoted as having "in-depth information on all seven books in the Harry Potter series." Hogwash. A quick look at the contents of the book reveals that it contains, at best, minimal information about the seventh book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." In fact, the information about the final book is stuffed into the final chapter and is not properly edited into the other chapters. For example, in one area, the book discusses magical gadgets and refers to Dumbledore's "Put-Outer." The author comments that it's "not the most creatively named object in the wizarding world." Well, if the information about the seventh book had been added into the text proper, then it would mention that this object full-well does have a proper name -- it's the "Deluminator."


Small problem such as this aside, this is a great reference book for the series. Sure, it may not be as in-depth as other guides, but it's written more for the average reader, perhaps someone who hasn't even read the "Harry Potter" books. And I can tell you, as a fan, and someone who has read all seven (as well as a number of others related to the series), this book has a lot of good information. It's taught me many references and things I didn't know about the series, and also serves as a great primer of the basics. It is split up into several chapters, which cover various things, including the famous names of the wizarding world, the various types of spells, the types of magical animals, the key objects that witches and wizards need, and much more.

Overall, both fans and those who've never opened one of the HP books before can get enjoyment out of this book. It serves as both a fine reference and refresher.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Okay, January 23, 2009

By	Diana Smith (Boston) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While this book does have some interesting information, I agree with another reviewer that it does not include much of the seventh book. It's a handy guide for someone who occasionally reads the books, but not too helpful for those avid readers. As a side note, they repeatedly refer to the author of the Inheritance Cycle series as Michael Paolini, when in fact his name is Christopher. This makes me wonder how much research the author did for this book.