The Magical World of Harry Potter

First off, this is not a Harry Potter story. It's not even by J.K. Rowling. The author is David Colbert, formerly a head writer on the TV show "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire." So, if you can accept what it isn't, you can enjoy what it is.

The Harry Potter stories are a big hit with youth as well as adults. They seem unique and bizarre but, paradoxically, familiar and believable. And a lot of that is that they are based on historical, legendary and mythical characters or situations from our own "real" world.

In a very accessible (and enjoyable) manner, Colbert digs into the background of the stories. Did you wonder where Rowling created some of her beasts? How did she think up those names? Is Latin perhaps more interesting than we thought?

To be a bit more specific, did you know that Nicolas Flamel really was an alchemist. In history, he actually did claim to have turned quicksilver (mercury) into gold three times. And he claimed to have done so by using a red stone with a strong smell. Rowling called this the "philosopher's stone" (renamed the "sorcerer's stone" for American audiences). But the real Flamel died in 1410, while J.K. Rowling's version lived considerably longer.

Overall, I found it to be a very interesting read. I'm not a rabid fan of Harry Potter, but I do enjoy the series. And I really did enjoy learning some new things (about some very old stories).

I would suggest that you buy this book if: (1) You are a Harry Potter fan, (2) you are interested in the background of the Harry Potter phenomenon, (3) you have an interest in fantasy or mythology or (4) you are considering writing your own series, and want to get a feel for the type of research that makes a story successful.