Product Description*This book is not prepared, endorsed, or authorized by J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros. and is not part of the Harry Potter series.* For fans who want to know about the myths, folklores, legends, and Muggle history embedded in the Harry Potter novels, Beahm's new book is a treasure trove of fun facts and tantalizing trivia covering the fabulous beasts and creatures, the wizards, magical artifacts, and magical places in the Harry Potter world. Covering Harry Potter novels 1 - 5, this unofficial guide includes sidebars, internet references, and enchangting art by five-time Hugo award-winning artist Tim Kirk and newcomer Britton McDaniel. This fascinating and educational book belongs on the shelf of every Muggle who wants to know Rowling's inspiration for the creatures, people, places, creatures, and things in the wizarding world.
Interesting but not exactly what I thought it would be. (Rating: 4 out of 5) It is much more for people who have interest in origins of things or history than it is for true Harry Potter Fans. I did fing it kinda interesting but I was looking for things about Harry Potter and not about history or origins of names. But would be good for a homeschool writing class or something to teach how to take real events and change them into a fiction story.
A very helpful guide! (Rating: 5 out of 5) I am currently taking a literature course on Harry Potter, it is part of a children's literature minor that I am going for. This book was not required, but I got it in case it was a good supplement - and it is! This book explores roots behind names in their language. It also discusses what the "real" equivalent means to us. For example, how we view dragons (if they were real) versus how they are viewed in the magical world of J.K. Rowling.
An excellent, easy read, quick guide to some of the big mythologies and legends that go into the series - just in case you don't really know much about them!
Great Background (Rating: 4 out of 5) Like many, a little disappointed at the final end of the harry Potter series (?), I found this to be an excellent background. Not to mention amusing.
You can feel your mental landscape adjusting just a little bit with every little factoid you glean....
needs no stars (Rating: 1 out of 5) Why would anyone need a guide to understand the Harry Potter Series? J.K.Rowling certainly did a glorious job of the books, she made them quite clear. I have no respect for people who capitalize on the successful works of others. It implies that they have no talent of their own so therefore must glom onto the talent of another and ride their coat tails to success.
good book (Rating: 4 out of 5) I bought this book for my children, and myself. I expected it to be a bit more, but my children found it to be informative. We found it to be a fun read, and the facts interesting. It made it fun to figure out where some of the characters and creatures were from.
I recommend this book to everyone.