British Library

Summary: A History of Magic is the official book of the exhibition, collaboration between Bloomsbury, J.K. Rowling and the brilliant curators of the British Library. A fascinating journey through the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - from Alchemy and Potions classes through to Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. showcasing a treasure trove of artefacts from the British Library and other collections around the world, exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive. There's also a specially commissioned essay for each subject area by an expert, writer or cultural commentator, inspired by the contents of the exhibition. Readers will be able to pore over ancient spell books, amazing illuminated scrolls that reveal the secret of the Elixir of Life, vials of dragon's blood, mandrake roots, painted centaurs and a genuine witch's broomstick, in a book that shows J.K. Rowling's magical inventions alongside their cultural and historical forebears.

A History of Magic

Harry Potter

This book is amazing and fist off I wasn't sure about it but it's like your actually the characters! Best book ever! 

The ones that love us never really leave us

Pierke Bosschieter

I wasn't able to visit the exhibition in 2017, so I listened to the audio book instead, while looking at the paper book version simultaneously. You will need the print version to augment the audio book, or you will miss a lot of visual pleasure as it is first and foremost an exhibition catalog. The audio book gives a lot more background information, like an audio tour in the museum, with the book on your lap as the exhibition. I especially enjoyed the conversations with Jim Kay, in which he tells about the background of certain drawings. The illustrations made be J.K. Rowling were a surprise too. A pity that some illustrations of Olivia Lomenech Gill, talked about in the audio version, didn't make it into the book. I later discovered that the juvenile version of the catalog:Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic, does contain those missing illustrations. Even if you have seen the exhibition, the book and audio book will be an enhancement of your memory; well worth your time.

The official companion book to the British Library exhibition and the ultimate gift for Harry Potter fans!

A Journey Through a History of Magic

Flavia Louise

This book is nicely put together and great for younger readers. If you have read A History of Magic you won't learn a lot from this. Still happy I have it.

Joana Ribeiro

This book is a good surprise. When I first saw it I thought it was going to be a totally different thing. However, it was interesting and captivating. Shows what is beyond the magic in the harry potter series and at the same times has some exclusive pictures of documents from JKRowling. The parallel between what is real and what is the harry potter world made me an even bigger fan of the author!

Nick Bicko

Das war toll! Quasi das Begleitbuch zur "History of Magic"-Ausstellung der British Library und endlich mal wieder ein Werk zum HP-Kosmos, das sich mit den Büchern statt mit den Filmen beschäftigt.
Die Inhalte sind größtenteils in zwei Themenkomplexe unterteilt.
1) Die Geschichte der Magie in Literatur, Kunst und historischen Fundstücken. Wer hat als Erstes eine Meerjungfrau gezeichnet? In welchem alchemistischen Werk gab es zuerst Zaubertränke? Wo kommt die Assoziation her, dass Hexen verwarzte alte Frauen mit Kesseln und Besen sind? Was hat es mit "Abracadabra" auf sich?
2) Die Geschichte von Harry Potter, das Herzstück dieses Buchs, mit so vielen Einblicken in die Entstehungsgeschichte der Reihe. 
JKR-Zeichnungen von 1990, in der der Aufbau von Hogwarts dargelegt ist. Die Dursleys, der erste Besuch in Gringotts. 
Dazu erste Drafts von Kapiteln, Szenen, Sorting-Hat-Liedern. Manchmal handschriftlich (was ne Sauklaue), manchmal Schreibmaschine mit etlichen Anmerkungen. Szenen aus dem ersten Buch, die nie in die finale Fassung geschafft und teilweise in Buch 5 recyclet wurden oder die Original-Synopsis, die damals an die Verleger geschickt wurde.

Für Fans definitiv das Richtige und etwas, wo man selbst als HP-Nerd noch richtig was lernen kann.

Lucía RG

Such an interesting book with marvelous ilustrations. If you are interested in the Harry Potter universe, definitely worth to check it out. 
5/5

Loredana

Jeni Enjaian

While the book lacked an overall organizational plan-at least that I could see-I still highly enjoyed the book. I loved the mix of descriptions from the world of Harry Potter, historical references to magic elements, as well as artifacts from the original writing of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. I highly recommend this book to all Harry Potter lovers. More please.

Rebeca Keren Nuñez

Vi el documental sobre la exhibición, y es fascinante lo que se ve, y se refleja perfectamente en este libro, que ademas esta organizado según las asignaturas de Hogwarts también, lo que es genial para fans de la saga.

vely

Nice! It gives you a lot of background information about a bunch of interesting topics. I can see why Hermione is so obsessed with this book.

Shannon Jade

A wonderful insight, not only into Harry's magical world but into those that inspired it, the magic that has filtered through ancient belief, folklore and culture. Fascinating, educational, and inspiring, there is something incredible about breaking down such a phenomenon, and being given the chance to more closely examine how one person built its existence.

Harry Potter A History of Magic

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