About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherPenguin Publishing Group

ISBN-100670031534

ISBN-139780670031535

eBay Product ID (ePID)2272204

Product Key Features

Book TitleScience of Harry Potter : How Magic Really Works

Number of Pages344 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year2002

TopicChildren's & Young Adult Literature, General, Magick Studies, Essays

GenreLiterary Criticism, Body, Mind & Spirit, Science

AuthorRoger Highfield

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1.2 in

Item Weight18 Oz

Item Length8.6 in

Item Width5.8 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2002-028878

Dewey Edition21

TitleLeadingThe

Dewey Decimal500

SynopsisMagic and science may seem like strange bedfellows, but in this captivating and far-ranging book, respected science journalist Roger Highfield nimbly illustrates how the two disciplines are actually deeply intertwined in the Harry Potter books. Like Highfield's The Physics of Christmas, The Science of Harry Potterteases out the scientific explanations and surprising factual foundation of marvels and mysteries-only this time instead of reindeer and Santa, Highfield trains his eye on dragons, broomsticks, and all the wonderful oddities of J. K. Rowling's enchanted world. Highfield uses the amazing elements of the Harry Potter books as a springboard into discussions of fascinating scientific issues. He delves into the archaeology of witchcraft, tracing the origin and uses of wands and cauldrons as revealed at ancient European dig sites. He speculates on the astounding connection between hallucinogens and flying broomsticks and the bizarre drug-taking practices of medieval witches. The potions and charms that Harry has so much trouble replicating in Snape's class are in fact grounded in the science of ethnobotany. Here too is a plausible account of the cutting-edge physics that explains the invisibility cloak and the genetic engineering behind the creation of Fluffy the three-headed dog. As Highfield reminds us, "wizard" actually means wise man-and wizardry and science were closely related fields before Newton. As enlightening as it is delightful, The Science of Harry Pottersheds light not only on Harry Potter's magical realm, but also on the magic that is taking place in labs and science classrooms in our own "muggle" world. This book is not authorized, prepared, approved, licensed, or endorsed by J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any other individual or entity associated with the Harry Potter books or movie. Harry Potter is the registered trademark of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.

LC Classification NumberQ162.H54 2002