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

Customer Reviews

3 stars

2006-03-20
Pullman's His Dark Materials series has raised many questions and much public interest. Although much of this book will make little sense if you have not read the trilogy, the information contained herein does have something to offer both those who have and have not done so. If you have, then Mr. Colbert's work will give you greater understanding and insight. If you have not, it answers the qualms about reading it that you may have. No Christians will be won over to the idea of supporting the series. The atheistic and Gnostic bents to Dark Materials are clearly stated. However, if you are on the fence, taking a look at this book might help you decide which way to go.

Amanda Killgore

Most Helpful Harry Potter Text Ever

2005-11-03
I am an aspiring writer, searching for new and fresh topics to work with so I can peddle my wares. This book, the Magical Worlds of Harry Potter, has revealed to me different legends, myths, and historical facts I can use in my writings as many a basis for my characters to come. This book gives an excellent review of links to ancient myths and legends and long since forgotten facts of history from J.K. Rowling's books of a hidden magical world in a universe of "Muggles." It is true what David Colbert says how J.K. Rowling has taken (or has not taken as the case may be) these myths, legends, and facts and compiled them together into something that is considered so incredibly original and fresh. So many things in the stories are considered completely her creation, but they are more the her creation of wonder and magic that bring these mythical things together for a world of witchcraft and wizardry. To this book I give a vote of FIVE STARS and I highly recommend this book to everyone, aspiring writer or not. If you do not wish to write for a living like I do, at the very least, you'll learn something you never thought you would ever learn before.

Literature and Harry Potter

2005-09-13
This book was a great one for those who find words and the origin of words and ideas fascinating. This book opened up the mind of J. Rowling in terms of where she found references and words and changed them to fit her story. As many of the words or word roots and ideas have corrolations in myths and legends, the words and names that the Harry Potter series uses strikes a chord with adult readers as well as young readers as they are already familiar in oue own history and vocabulary. I greatly enjoyed reading this book!

Entertaining little resource

2005-08-21
"The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" is a fun and easy to read breeze through some of the myths and folklore that JK Rowling used to create her uber-popular Harry Potter world. I'd especially recommend it for kids who want an entertaining way to dig a little deeper into the novels. The comparison of Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory to the Knights of the Round Table, the history of Avada Kedavra and the "real" famous chocolate frog wizards all make you appreciate the attention to detail in Rowling's world - and some of the factoids are pretty insightful. My only complaint about the book is that, with the publication of "Order of the Phoenix" and "Half Blood Prince," it's gotten a bit outdated. I'd adore a seeing a revised version from David Colbert one of these days.

good mythology based book

2005-08-03
i like it it was very interesting. i'm not much of a mythology person so i didn't really enjoy it as much as someone who liked that topic. but i would recomend it evn if you havent read harry potter because some of the facts are really cool. before reading this boook i would suggest some knowledge of the caracters in the harry potter books because it talks about where the names for J.K.Rowling's harry potter series came from. you should at least know the caracters names and some general knowledge

Disappointed

2008-06-02
After checking this book out from the library I am very glad that I did not waste my money on this book. This may be a decent guide book for those who have not read any others are are looking for a very basic introduction to the wonderful writing of J.K. Rowling. I had to force myself to read through the book to come across information that I had not read in other guide books or online. Fortunately, there was one section that triggered something and that was the comparison of Harry Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces." However, the section could have been much more analytical than it was. Hopefully there is more analysis in the more recent version.

Bought as a Gift

2008-04-16
I bought this for my teen-aged daughter as a gift and have not given it to her yet. It looks to be an interesting book for Harry Potter fans.

excelent reference book

2007-11-21
I purchased this item for my pre-teen daughter. She is a very detail oriented person and she loves this book. It was shipped promptly in great condition.

Very cool book.

2007-03-27
This is a great Harry Potter companion book. Alot of interesting information and fascinating subjects. Highly recommended for any Harry fan!

8 year old son loved it

2006-10-12
I bought this for my 8 year old. He is learning more about mythology from Harry Potter and this book than he will ever learn in his public school.