The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter (A Treasury of Myths, Legends, and Fascinating Facts)

Old, rumpled book - it's not like new.

First of all, DON'T READ THIS BOOK UNTIL YOU'VE FINISHED ALL FOUR HARRY POTTER BOOKS! I was surprised there wasn't a warning that the book contains "spoilers". Before reading Colbert's book, I was in awe of Rowling's mastery of storytelling and truly impressed by her craftsmanship. Now, after reading Colbert, I am... well, I don't even think there's a word to describe how magnificently astonished I am. It boils down to this: I thought I was clever. I saw a lot of references to mythology, Latin, etc. I DIDN'T EVEN CATCH A TENTH OF THE REFERENCES. The fact that they are so seamlessly hidden is striking proof of great writing.Colbert is one of those people who reads too much and is much too smart for his own good. In other words, I envy him terribly! Here he has compiled a fascinating collection of historical & mythological tidbits into a very easy-to-read, easy-to-comprehend book. Interesting to adults, understandable for kids. On the downside, this means he only teases the reader with enough knowledge to make them want to go out and research some more. Some may find this annoying, but I think that was the point--to inspire young and old alike to do a bit of research. I think Rowling would probably prefer it this way.

I am an adult Harry Potter fan, and I found this to be an excellent guide to the historical events and figures behind the characters in the books. I learned about the real Nicolas Flamel, for instance, and about many mythological creatures similar to those in the Potter books. Surprisingly, it is a much better guide than the 500-plus page volume, "Beacham's Sourcebook...Exploring Harry Potter" by Elizabeth Schafer. Schafer's book seems at first glance to be a well-researched guide to the ideas and figures behind the series, but I found her analysis and conclusions to be somewhat forced. It strikes the reader as more of an adult reference book than "The Magical Worlds..." does--this one can definitely be enjoyed by young readers-- but Colbert's guide is much more grounded in fact, sticking to explaining who the historical figures were and what events are related to the Potter books. Each chapter is short, explaining one name, creature, or idea. This made it very easy to explore in short stretches, without having to start from the beginning. It doesn't pretend to offer a deep analysis of Rowling's motives or thought process, but does give us the background to further appreciate her work. Think of it as a quick course in mythology and history as related to the Harry Potter books. I find myself referring to it repeatedly, while Schafer's book sits on my shelf. A must-read for any Potter fan interested in learning more about his magical world!

"The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" is a fascinating look at the myths and legends that provide inspiration for the content of J.K Rowling's work. Filled with facts and trivia, David Colbert's book provides detailed background information on the magical spells, creatures and people that together make up the world of our favourite wizard. This book is a must-have for all Harry Potter fans and a brilliant cure for those of us still suffering from deprivation as we wait for book five. Adults and children alike will love "The Magical Worlds" as we discover "Why would chocolate help after escaping a dementor?" "Why would Voldemort put the dark mark on the Deatheaters?" and all those other questions you never realized you were desperate to know the answers to. Beautifully illustrated with clear explanations, "The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" is the perfect companion to the first four books in the series. Impossible to put down, this book answers a great number of questions and will definitely increase your enjoyment of the Harry Potter books.

David Colbert is an editorial director at HarperCollins Publishing Company. I think he missed his real vocation; he should have been a middle school teacher. Mr. Collins has an amazing gift for catching and holding youngsters' (and us oldsters', too) interest through forays into scholarly erudition that actually sound like fun as he presents it. Have you ever noticed that so many of the names and terms in the Potter books have Latin bases; or wondered where the legend of the manticore originated; or wanted to know more about the influence of magic and legend on the writings of Shakespeare, Flaubert, Dickens, and John Donne, among others? It's all here, and lots more, in this fact-and-fancy-packed and fascinating book. Pottermaniacs from 7 to 97 will love it. (Although I'm still wondering about what kind of spray will work on that nasty Peeves the Poltergeist...)

This wonderful book covers a broad array of fascinating topics related to our favorite wizard and hero, Harry Potter. "The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" reveals the actual historical and mythological backgrounds of the magic spells, magical beasties, locations, good wizards and the nasties that make up J.K. Rowling's world(s). Before I read "The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter", I had no idea that J.K. Rowling infused the Harry Potter stories with SO MANY inside jokes and hidden meanings. Rowling was brilliant in creating and intertwining everything in her stories. David Colbert, the author of "Magical Worlds" was equally brilliant in explaining it all clearly and concisely. David Colbert discusses Harry's relationship to people like Ovid, Shakespeare, Dickens and Flaubert in a highly informative yet lighthearted and irreverent way. Reading in bed at 2:00 in the morning, I was laughing out loud. The book is beautifully illustrated.Now that I've read "The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" I have an incredibly greater appreciation for the richness and depth of the Harry Potter epic. Whether you are simply a curious Muggle or a die-hard Harry Potter fan, this book is a MUST READ. It's as good a read as the stories themselves!