New Releases by Elizabeth Kronzek

The New York Times bestseller, now fully updated to include the complete seven-volume series. Who was the real Nicholas Flamel? How did the Sorcerer’s Stone get its power? Did J. K. Rowling dream up the terrifying basilisk, the seductive veela, or the vicious grindylow? And if she didn’t, who did? Millions of readers around the world have been enchanted by the magical world of wizardry, spells, and mythical beasts inhabited by Harry Potter and his friends. But what most readers don’t know is that there is a centuries-old trove of true history, folklore, and mythology behind Harry’s fantastic universe. Now, with The Sorcerer’s Companion, those without access to the Hogwarts Library can school themselves in the fascinating reality behind J. K. Rowling’s world of magic. Newly updated to include Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Sorcerer’s Companion allows curious readers to look up anything magical from the Harry Potter books and discover a wealth of entertaining, unexpected information. Wands and wizards, boggarts and broomsticks, hippogriffs and herbology, all have astonishing histories rooted in legend, literature, or real-life events dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. Magic wands, like those sold in Rowling’s Diagon Alley, were once fashioned by Druid sorcerers out of their sacred yew trees. Love potions were first concocted in ancient Greece and Egypt. And books of spells and curses were highly popular during the Middle Ages. From Amulets to Zombies, you’ll also learn: • how to read tea leaves • where to find a basilisk today • how King Frederick II of Denmark financed a war with a unicorn horn • who the real Merlin was • how to safely harvest mandrake root • who wore the first invisibility cloak • how to get rid of a goblin • why owls were feared in the ancient world • what really lies beyond the Veil • the origins of our modern-day “bogeyman,” and more. A spellbinding tour of Harry’s captivating world, The Sorcerer’s Companion is a must for every Potter aficionado’s bookshelf. The Sorcerer''s Companion has not been prepared, approved, or licensed by any person or entity that created, published, or produced the Harry Potter books or related properties.

Curious readers can look up the magical tools and spells of Harry Potter''s world in this volume, uncovering a wealth of entertaining information about the historical precedents for J. K. Rowling''s stories. Wands and wizards, boggarts and broomsticks, hippogriffs and herbology, all have astonishing histories rooted in legend, literature, or real life events dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. Included are the origins of magic wands, love potions, books of spells, and invisibility cloaks, as well as descriptions of how to read tea leaves, who the real Merlin was, and how to get rid of pesky goblins. Los millones de lectores han quedado cautivados por toda la magia, los hechizos, y los animales mitológicos que constituyen el sorprendente mundo de Harry Potter pueden averiguar sus orígenes en este tomo entretenido. Este tomo provee respuestas históricas a preguntas como ¿Cómo obtuvo la piedra filosofal su poder? ¿Es posible encontrar un basilisco en la actualidad? ¿Quién llevó la primera capa de invisibilidad? Incluidos son las claves para entender de dónde provienen todos los elementos que J. K. Rowling ha articulado en torno a su famoso personaje: amuletos y escobas voladoras, astrología y cartomancia, duendes excéntricos y búhos sabios.

Quelle est la différence entre une sorcière et une harpie ? Peut-on apprivoiser un dragon ? Le troll est-il votre ami ou votre ennemi ? Que faire d''une corne de licorne ? Comment fabriquer une baguette magique ? Où se trouvent les coins à mandragores ? Comment savoir à coup sûr si votre voisin est un magicien ? L''alchimie est-elle une science exacte ? Philtres et sortilèges, esprits hostiles ou bienveillants, grimoires et formules magiques, alchimie, astrologie, chiromancie... Tout cela ne relève-t-il que de la fable et du rêve ? J.K. Rowling aurait-elle sorti ses basilics, strangulots et autres épouvantards d''un chapeau de magicienne ? Pour débusquer la réalité derrière la légende, Allan et Elizabeth Kronzek ont mené l''enquête en territoire fantastique. Leurs conclusions sont surprenantes : potions, malédictions, géants et dragons, chaudrons et boules de cristal ne datent pas d''hier. Même le balai de Harry, l''hippogriffe de Sirius Black et les calculs arithmantiques d''Hermione ont une histoire qui remonte parfois aux temps les plus anciens. C''est à ces sources, mythologiques, folkloriques ou scientifiques, que puise ce manuel, conçu comme un guide touristique des contrées magiques, qui offre un accès insoupçonné à l''univers d''un héros désormais universel. Cette nouvelle édition évoque en outre les coulisses du tournage de Harry Potter à l''école des sorciers et Harry Potter et la Chambre des secrets, les deux longs métrages inspirés des aventures du célèbre apprenti sorcier.