Harry Potter A History Of Magic - The Book Of The Exhibition

Harry Potter A History of Magic is the official book created to accompany the exhibition, bringing together a collaboration between Bloomsbury, J. K. Rowling and the curators of the British Library. Structured around the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it explores areas ranging from Alchemy and Potions to Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures.

Across its chapters, the book presents artefacts from the British Library and collections worldwide alongside exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive. Each subject area is paired with a specially commissioned essay by an expert, writer or cultural commentator, with contributions from Steve Backshall, the Reverend Richard Coles, Owen Davies, Julia Eccleshare, Roger Highfield, Steve Kloves, Lucy Mangan, Anna Pavord and Tim Peake.

Key details

• Official book of the exhibition
• Collaboration between Bloomsbury, J. K. Rowling and the British Library curators
• Organised around Hogwarts subjects including Alchemy, Potions, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures
• Features artefacts from the British Library and other collections around the world
• Includes exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive
• Contains specially commissioned essays by named contributors

Synopsis

Each chapter brings together exhibition artefacts and material from the Harry Potter archive, placing them side by side with commissioned essays inspired by the exhibition’s themes. Readers can examine items such as ancient spell books, illuminated scrolls linked to the Elixir of Life, vials of dragon’s blood, mandrake roots, painted centaurs and a witch’s broomstick, presented alongside J. K. Rowling’s inventions and their cultural and historical forebears.