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

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.

Got a little info from the book but most I figured out on my own.

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 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.

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.