Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

"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.

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.

This is a nice book if you're looking to appreciate the genius and hardwork that went into the writing of Harry Potter. It helps you realize the scope of JK Rowling's imagination, and really understand how much research and planning went into these books (if that wasn't already evident enough). It's not a reference for the characters, school life, or plot lines she's created, however. If you're looking for that, I recommend the Harry Potter Lexicon website, and just wait for the encyclopedia that Ms. Rowling will be writing herself. I'm glad I bought this book, but make sure you know what you're buying with this.

Covering everything from The Ministry of Magic to Draughts and Potions, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to The World of Harry Potter" is a handy reference for novice and Harry Potter experts alike. The book gives readers an understanding of the origins of Rowling's work. It can be read from cover to cover, in sections, or by chapters of interest. The book is divided into five user-friendly sections. Sprinkled throughout the chapters, the author includes "boxes" that clarify wizarding terminology, explain unfamiliar British terms, discuss how the story ties into mythology, folklore, and biblical myths, and give travel tips that guide the reader around the wizarding world. Also provided, are list of "wizarding websites" that will be of interest to avid fans, and a glossary of British terms that can be used to easily locate and understand unfamiliar British terms that appear in the series.

Whether you are attending a Harry Potter party and need a crash course, or whether you are a hardcore fan and need to do some fact checking, this book is an ideal resource. The information is organized in an easy-to-use format that is not overwhelming. Readers will appreciate the smaller trim size (6 X 9) which fits nicely in any backpack.

What an amazing, thoroughly researched guide for those of us in and out of the academic realm! You don't have to be a scholar to "get" this book and its analysis of the world of Harry Potter...but even if you are, you'll also find new insights! J.K. Rowling should be proud of what she has created...the stimulation she has provided in the minds of her fans. Brilliant!

Any collection including Harry Potter fans - and all public lending libraries will qualify - will find plenty of interest in this guide to THE WORLD OF HARRY POTTER, a survey of the history, mythology and science of all seven Potter novels. Here's a inspired guide which covers everything from herbs and plants to magic, 'the King's English', and meanings of British and mythology terminology - all under one cover. Perfect for keeping the Potter magic alive!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book mostly traces the Latin roots of many of the spell and character names J.K. Rowling used. Obviously she put her Latin classes to very good use in coming up with fitting names for just about everything.

But I was really hoping for more discussion on what history or other books Rowling used as inspiration and how everything fits together, and this is more like a dictionary of terms.

And even though the cover says it "Covers All Seven Books," the last chapter is short and was obviously tacked on as an afterward, and the seventh book is the most amazing one with so much to discuss. What I wanted to read was a book that tracks the remarkable way things in the very first book came to fruition in the end and how Rowling plotted the whole story out over seven books.

This isn't that book.

This book was well-written, but it did not offer any information that cannot be gleaned from reading J.K. Rowling's original works. There are no startling tidbits of information that a majority of readers overlooked while reading the Harry Potter series.
If you have never read Rowling's books, this IS a good book for basic information. It doesn't offer plot summaries or character analysis; I believe the author would prefer you to read Rowling's works.
If you are a big fan of the Harry Potter series and you have read the books numerous times, this book has nothing new to offer. All that a true Harry Potter fan will find is some interesting information about non-magical British society that many American readers may not be familiar with.

I started shopping at Amazon last christmas for all the hard to find items my 10 year old son had on his wish list. I found almost everything I needed and saved alot of money. Now, every time I need a book or game I look here first. I have never been disappointed.