Muggles and Magic: An Unofficial Guide to J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Phenomenon - Softcover

Beahm, George W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1571744126 ISBN 13: 9781571744128

Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing, 2004

Synopsis

This is a general interest, resource and reference guide for fans of J.K. Rowling. Organised in six sections it is a treasure trove of information about Harry Potter, her famous literary creation, and the phenomenon that surrounds him.

About this title

About the Author

George Beahm has published numerous books, among them "The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook", "The Stephen King Companion", "The Unauthorized Anne Rice Companion", "The Unofficial Patricia Cornwell Companion", and "War of Words: The Censorship Debate".

Actively involved in the book industry since 1975, Beahm has also been a self-publisher, regional publisher, book marketing director, book publishing consultant, and book packager.

Beahm is a lifelong fan of fantasy and science fiction; his first two books focused on fantasy artists Vaugh Bode, Tim Kirk, and Richard Corben.

From the Inside Flap

"Muggles and Magic" is the first general interest book, resource guide, and reference work for Rowling's millions of fans. Organized in six sections with appendices, this 400-page book is a treasure trove of information and trivia about Harry Potter, Rowling's most famous literary creation, and the phenomenon that surrounds him.

The Real World of J.K. Rowling provides an in-depth look at Rowling herself: a chronology, a biography, a guide to Rowling's England and Scotland, FAQs, a concordance, Harry Potter illustrators, Rowling-related charities, a Harry Potter convention, and more.

A Writer's Life is jam-packed with information for aspiring word wizards, with time-tested advice on getting your book published, the craft of writing, cafes to fuel your creativity, Harry Potter and censorship, and more.

Harry Potter--Screen Magic is an in-depth look at the two movie adaptations, with reviews, cast listings, notable quotes by the cast, and more.

Books offers a book-by-book look at the five Potter novels plus other official, and unofficial, books. A fictional concordance for Muggles and a trivia quiz round out this in-depth section.

Harry Potter Merchandise looks at the numerous tie-in products licensed by Warner Bros., from action figures to wizard cards.

Harry Potter Websites discussess the best that the World Wide Web offers, with capsule reviews, screenshots, and addresses.

The Appendices provide detailed information on Rowling's book editions in the U.S. and the U.K., a list of available films and DVDs, and key collectibles with prices.

Each section features dozens of quotes by and about J.K. Rowling.

Packed with articles, profiles, synopses, and sidebars, "Muggles and Magic" is profusely illustrated with photographys and illustrations, including a special 16-page color photo album with little-seen photos of Rowling and England.

Reviews

Grade 7 Up - Beahm offers a plethora of information, opinions, and facts that revolve around "Harry Potter" and the life of J. K. Rowling. This general-interest guidebook includes sections on two movie adaptations, five books, merchandise and collectibles, and "Harry Potter" Web sites. It also includes more than 200 trivia questions about the series and its creator, and a collection of reviews, essays, and prominent quotes. The alphabetical listing of important people, places, and things introduced in the titles will more than likely be the most sought-after material. Sidebars of related tidbits and facts are scattered throughout. Though interesting, they are distracting and interrupt the narrative flow. A 16-page centerfold of full-color photos as well as black-and-white photographs and illustrations throughout enliven the well-written, interesting text. - Christine McGinty, Newark Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gushing with enthusiasm and admiration, Beahm's compendium of Harry Potter trivia and essays should help tide over fans impatiently waiting for book six to come out. Chapters like "The Real World of J.K. Rowling" (by contributor Stephen McGinty) and "The Magic of Words: A Storyteller's World" vividly recount the history behind the Harry Potter novels and their renowned author. "Although in later years Rowling would have cause to regret her portrayal as 'poverty-stricken single mum makes good,' those stories gave her a profile most first-time authors could only dream about," McGinty wisely observes, but the rest of the book is less even-handed. Beahm is clearly an unalloyed fan, and his chapters on the books and their screen interpretations contain little by way of a critique. This may be just as well for Potter fans, who will appreciate Beahm's cataloging of Potter Web sites and merchandise. The book also includes a 72-page glossary of Potter terms and characters, like "Acid Pops" and "Mortlake," as well as an unofficial guide to Potter-related locations in Britain, such as Rowling's childhood home in Winterbourne and the reptile house at the London Zoo, "where Harry speaks Parseltongue to a snake." Throughout, Beahm pitches the prose right; it's both sophisticated enough to interest adults and lively enough to keep younger fans engaged.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1571744126
• ISBN 13: 9781571744128
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400