The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter

by Tere Stouffer

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

Genres: Harry Potter, Nonfiction, Mythology, Magic, Witches

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2005

Reviews

[Rachel]

This is a good book for people who haven't read harry potter, perhaps don't really want to, but want to understand what the fuss is all about.

It was also interesting from the linguistic perspective: where did Rowling get all those fantastic words?

[Lauren G]

An incredible amount of incorrect information from beginning to end, which by the way, is that JK Rowling excelled at writing scenes, and for over 90% of the books Harry and his friends were either walking, talking, or eating.

... ok??

[Shawna Finnigan]

There’s a few mistakes in this book, but other than that it was really enjoyable. I highly recommend this book for all Harry Potter fans who want to take a more in depth look into the series.

[Gabriela]

Is it wrong to say I just found it flat out boring? I feel like this doesn’t bring you into the world of Harry Potter on a meaningful level. If anything I learned more about human history than anything to do with Harry Potter. To be fair, the author did state that their intention wasn’t to really give a background of the Harry Potter universe or something like that? Anyways, I’d recommend this book if you’re interested in connections between the Wizarding world and the real world. But if you’re looking for more Harry Potter info, this would be a pass.

[Sofia]

This book of facts is only of any use to you if you're not a Potterhead to begin with. If you're already part of the cult fandom, you'll soon see all the mistakes and errors and feel cheated. Like I did.

[Maddie Suhovecky]

I thought it had alot of information, but it seemed very boring. I did not expect to be intrigued, but it would have been nice if it said more than the roots of the words. I was expecting more mentionings of Harry, but that was fine. I would not read this again. SO BORING!!!!!!

[Siân]

Mistakes so far: Yorkshire Pudding - unless it's something like toad in the hole it doesn't have anything added to the batter - at least not any of the Yorkshire Puddings I've ever seen.
Turkish Delight - is not ANYTHING like described in this book. Seriously, even a google search would have told you this. Just for a start, it's not English. It's not like taffy. It doesn't usually come with sprinkles.
King's English. Dude. England have a Queen. Have had one for like the last SIXTY years. So it would be the Queen's English.
The Knight Bus: In Half Blood Prince the Knight bus took Harry, Hermione and Ron back to Hogwarts after Christmas. So possible to get the Knight Bus even if not stranded.
A Levels: Although the Public schools may sit the International Baccalaureate, most 6th form students sit A levels instead.

However overall this was an interesting book and a good read for the Harry Potter Fan.

[Noninuna]

Now, this is THE book every Potterhead would want to read. Seriously. So why 4 stars? Actually, i would like to give 4 & a half stars because it is very detailed up to where every word originated from but if i have to say it, too much details could bore some of us which is me included in the later part if the book. As the title mentioned, it is about the world of Harry Potter as in the wizarding world that created by the genius J.K. Rowling rather than about the plot & it's characters.
Very enjoyable & informative read!

[DJ Johnson]

Honestly I read this before I read Harry Potter (I know, I know, I was really late to the Harry Potter world). It was very helpful in order to talk to my HP friends and not sound like a complete Muggle. Of course I eventually read all the books (and was hooked, thank you.) This reference guide was still very helpful when I hit something in the book I didn't understand. Let's be honest, all those potion names and spell names can be a bit to remember your first time reading.

[Hanaa]

Well, I know for a fact i'm not an idiot, but I think the author is. The author has a lot of facts wrong. And it really turned me off. I finished the book, but it was not an enjoyable read, it was painful.

[ah li]

Didn't quite like this book, not complete (very little mention of book 7 except for the horcruxes & hallows). Missed out some stuff from the earlier books too, a disappointment. But as a Harry Potter fan, I couldn't miss out on any Potter related books, official or not.

[Andhyka]

thanks

[Cindy]

I'm anxious to reread the Potter books and finish the series after all the tidbits of information this book included.

[Aegine]

They actually have an Idiot's Guide to Harry Potter? I laughed so hard!

[Invisimort]

Already being a HUGE potter fan when I read this, I knew most of what was in it.

[Gnawang]

it was AMAZIIIIING

[Samantha Raeder]

Fun read, even with all the spelling errors.

[Rachel]

I thought it would provide a lot more extra information to those who had already read the books but a lot of it was really obvious stuff.
Didn't really keep my interest.

[Esther]

Really informative and compact about the wizarding world of Harry and his clans! :)

[Ellen]

Great unauthorized book of everything Harry Potter.

[Kiyoshi Haise]

You are the best friend in my life

[Julie]

Very informative.