About this title: An alphabetical guide to all things associated with the first four books in the Harry Potter series. Readers will be able to check such facts as the identity of the real Nicholas Flamel and how the Sorcerer's Stone got its power. Also discussed are the stories from folklore, history, and mythology that helped inspire J.K. Rowling's amazingly ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Acceptable. Former Library book. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Good. Standard used condition. May have light reading or storage wear. All orders processed within 2 business days. Ships from Foxboro MA. read more
Edition: 1st
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2001-09-18
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Very good. Very minimal damage to the cover (no holes or tears, only minimal scuff marks), in some instances dust jackets are not included, no missing pages, minimal to no highlighting/under. read more
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2001-09-18
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Very Good. Minor edge wear, a very nice copy. NOT an ex-library book; no publisher's remainder marks. No markings noticed in book. No spine creasing. Military (APO/FPO) orders are welcomed-Thank you for your service. read more
Description: Good. 2001-Paperback----Used-Good-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2001-09-18
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Good. Binding is tight and square. Text is clean and bright. Light edge and corner wear. Ex-library copy with typical markings and attachments. Careful packaging and fast shipping. read more
Description: Fine. 0767908473 clean inside-cover shows minor wear, spine tight books may have some minor wearhouse damage. Stickers may be on spine or covers. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Fine. Paperback, Like New, clean, tight, unmarked, no spine or cover creases some light cover edge wear All orders are shipped by kbooks every business day. read more
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Spine straight w/o creases, binding tight, no reader/remainder/library marks, slight cover lift, pgs flat w/sharp corners, very slight shelf wear. 286 numbered pgs. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. Photos or other information on this item available by e-mail. Daily responses to orders/e-mail. E-mail confirmation of shipment. Check our feedback. read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Broadway Books, New York, NY, USA
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780767919449ISBN:0767919440
Description: GOOD. Nameplate along with name and address written on inside front cover. Clean, unmarked pages have an occasional creased corner. Cover has a large crease on the front bottom corner and edge scuffing; no tears. Uncreased, straight spine. 012708 (sa5) read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2004-08-10
ISBN-13:9780767919449ISBN:0767919440
Description: Very Good. Full number line, tight, bright and shiny, spine uncreased, light shelf and edge wear, corners bumped and curled, cover curl, gift inscription on first page. read more
Edition: Illustrated.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Broadway Books, New York
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. A Fine Copy. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Broadway
Date Published: 2001-09-18
ISBN-13:9780767908474ISBN:0767908473
Description: Very Good. 0767908473 Trade Paperback with minor shelfwear, pages bright and in excellent condition, name written on the upper right hand cover page; Item in stock, fast shipping, great customer service! read more
"Harry Potter's fantastic world of magic has its roots in true history, mythology, and folklore; father-daughter team Allan Zola Kronzek and Elizabeth Kronzek have now made this wealth of astonishing information available to Muggles in their "A Sorcerer's Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter". From astrology to Grindylow to reading tea leaves to witch persecution, this fascinating volume gets to the bottom of every magical mystery connected with Hogwarts.
It's an invaluable companion book for the HP series but it stands very well on its own. Those who already have David Colbert's "Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" may want to add this book to their library; it covers a lot of areas the Colbert book doesn't and it's more comprehensive. Written in the form of a mini-encyclopedia covering everything from Amulets to Zombies, "The Sorcerer's Companion" provides links to the first four Harry Potter books (it was written two years before "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" was published) with notations for easy reference.
It includes a lot of entries (accurate - so far as I can tell) about a lot of supernatural creatures, beliefs and other topics. Want to know the different mythologies of the phoenix from different countries, and which parts J.K. Rowling made up for her books? It's here. Want to know the historical beliefs about unicorns, how they differ from the "classical" interpretation of the glowing white horse with the long slender horn, when (and possibly how) these beliefs came about? You got it.
It's not necessary to go through this book from A to Z; you can browse through it however you like and still come up with a bounty of entertainment and information, as well as practical advice on how to read tea-leaves (maybe you'll do better at this than Harry and Ron who couldn't see anything in the leaves but a big mushy mess), where to find a basilisk (guess what? there really is a basilisk lizard) and how to rid your premises of goblins. The book is a browser's delight -- fun and educational at the same time.
The writers treat the superstitious beliefs of different times and places with a certain respect. But skeptics won't be disappointed, either. For example, when frankly talking about how many alchemists were charlatans who only pretended to create gold with the "sorceror's stone" (or, more accurately, the philosopher's stone) --- it even tells you how it was possible to fake this wondrous transmutation. The reader learns about what arithmancy means, its history, and how to do a little of it. The subject matter of the book is so broad; this book is hard to put down and it's not even fiction!
Each alphabetically organized entry contains a potent blend of fact, fiction and folklore. A note at the end of each section shows readers where to find the reference in the Harry Potter books. Thorough research and period prints combine to create a memorable book. This book would be best for those who are beginners in the area of mythology/occult teachings. Those well versed in this area will probally not find a great deal of new information in this book, but would probally still find it an amusing read. Also for those who are totally Harry obsessed (as I am).
Book Details:
Title A Sorcerer's Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter Author Allan Zola Kronzek & Elizabeth Kronzek Reviewed By Purplycookie"
"A good companion to the Harry Potter series with everything you need to know about many of the things described only vaguely in the HP series. Like an encyclopedia about Harry Potter."
"I am a Harry Potter geek. Get over it. I love those books and I love this one because it's really really cool. And I'm equally cool for having read it. If you think otherwise, I suspect it's jealousy and I forgive you."
"While I was fairly familiar with the background of the traditional mystical and mythological figures and practices Rowling drew from when she wrote the Harry Potter series, I could see this as interesting for someone who liked the novels, but was unfamiliar with them. Having said that, I wasn't surprised by anything in here, but was mildly amused at how the authors kept trying to pull HP references in to remind you that this was supposed to be appealing to that audience."
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