Why We Can’t Wait For Harry Potter: A Journey Through the History of Magic

History of Magic was not Harry’s favorite class at Hogwarts; in Order of the Phoenix it’s described as “the most boring subject ever devised by Wizard-kind.” That’s the fault of its teacher, the ghostly Professor Binns, and his droning voice. But the subject matter itself is fascinating (it’s the class that appeals most to me personally, perhaps because no actual magic is required, and the chances of getting killed are lower than in most classes). So I’m thrilled to get to read about it! In the hundreds of years of magical history covered by the book, we’ll learn not just history, but other Hogwarts subjects as well, from Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology to Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, and Astronomy. Medieval descriptions of unicorns, dragons, trolls, screaming mandrakes and more, real-life wands, pages from da Vinci’s notebooks, and the oldest atlas of the night sky, will bring the magical background of Harry Potter’s world to life. And perhaps, speaking as a parent, it will inspire kids to take an interest in the magical history of our own world!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published 20 years ago, with a print run of just 500 copies, which is hard to believe. Part of what makes the books so remarkable and pushed sales into the millions is the rich detail of the magical world, and I can’t wait to explore the actual, real-life sources of that magic that J.K. Rowling drew on in her creation.