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Harry Potter: A History of Magic
Harry Potter: A History of Magic: The Enhanced Ebook of the Exhibition | British Library
102 posts | 49 read | 8 reading | 80 to read
Celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter magic! Harry Potter: A History of Magic is the official book of the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition from the brilliant curators of the British Library. This enhanced ebook takes readers on a fascinating journey through the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from Alchemy and Potions classes, right through to Herbology and the Care of Magical Creatures. Each chapter showcases a treasure trove of artefacts from the British Library and other collections around the world, beside exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive. There's also a specially commissioned essay for each subject area by an expert, writer or cultural commentator, inspired by the contents of the exhibition - absorbing, insightful and unexpected contributions from Steve Backshall, the Reverend Richard Coles, Owen Davies, Julia Eccleshare, Roger Highfield, Steve Kloves, Lucy Mangan, Anna Pavord and Tim Peake, who offer a personal perspective on their magical theme. Readers will be able to pore over ancient spell books, explore amazing illuminated scrolls that reveal the secret of the Elixir of Life, and through its unique design and functionality examine vials of dragons blood, mandrake roots, painted centaurs and a genuine witchs broomstick, in an interactive digital book that shows J.K. Rowlings magical inventions alongside their cultural and historical forebears. This is the ultimate gift for Harry Potter fans, curious minds, big imaginations, bibliophiles and readers around the world who missed out on the chance to see the exhibition in person.
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kelli7990
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Pickpick

Here‘s my review for the book I just finished reading.

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kelli7990
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kelli7990
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This is the book I‘m reading right now. It‘s really interesting. I‘m also borrowing the ebook from Kindle Unlimited so I can look at the illustrations. I‘m going to look at the illustrations in the ebook after I finish the audiobook. I tried looking at the illustrations in the ebook while listening to the audiobook so I could follow along but I couldn‘t keep up because the audiobook is structured differently than the ebook.

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Saknicole
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Enjoying a quiet Monday off work for Labor Day with my new LitJoy mug. On this Labor Day, I am thankful for my right to organize as a labor union. Unions support workers rights. There are a million and one individual who work hard to create effective and supportive local associations. Thank you. #teachersoflitsy #laborunions

Kimberlone Cute mug! 2y
21 likes1 comment
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Eggs
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SusanLee My all time fave 😘 3y
Eggs @SusanLee 👍🏼🥰 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻💫📚 3y
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Fortifiedbybooks
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I recently learned about commonplace books in A History of Magic. It's such an interesting idea that I'm starting one of my own, using this Hobbit moleskine notebook I've had for at least a year or so. I can't wait to start filling it!

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carmens.library
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Day 2 of the #owlsreadathonsnaps2020 was Practicing Divination with Tea Leaves. I don't have to take my divination exams for these OWLs, but I'll be reading Percy Jackson with my son for his divination exam. Confession time... I have never read any of the Percy Jackson books! So I am really looking forward to reading it with my kids. #magicalreadathon2020 #owlsreadathon2020

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DGRachel
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Mehso-so

Let me preface this by saying I listened to the audio without benefit of having the print version easily accessible. I enjoyed the full cast, but was bored by some of the material. There were a couple of people that I had trouble hearing/understanding, which was frustrating. This is probably great if you can listen and read along to see the pictures, so don‘t let me discourage you from picking it up, if you‘re a Potter fan. 6 hrs for #24b4monday

Andrew65 Great time! 👏👏👏 Shame about the book. 5y
jb72 Good time! 5y
NovelGirl82 I agree! I listened to it, as well. Fortunately, I had the print version at home and was able to go back and look at it, but there were areas that weren‘t as easily understood with just the audio. 5y
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suzie.reads
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Pickpick

I loved this ❤ Really interesting to see where J K Rowling got the inspiration for so many of her wonderful ideas. I loved the reason behind the naming of the Black family members I hadn't realised when I read the books ⭐

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Booksnchill
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Pickpick

#ChillingPhotoChallenge #TeamSlaughter @Clwojick A multi points post- finished the audio for #24B4Monday it has a #WitchInIt for the #ScaryScavengerHunt and it meets today‘s photo prompt! This is the book companion to the British Library exhibit on the history of magic in Harry Potter and it is a fabulous audio with interviews, history, voices of Stephen Fry and the illustrator of the HP books as well as curators. Highly recommended!

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ashley_o13
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@Slajaunie all of this is wonderful thank you so much! I am in love with the 20th edition books! And as always Dobby. 💕 Can't wait to set up my new bookshelf to add these to the collection 🤗🤗 #fallathogwartsswap

@Endowarrior21

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego That paper is so cute! 5y
Slajaunie So glad you like it! 😁 5y
ashley_o13 @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego that's why I had to add it in the photo! 5y
ashley_o13 @Slajaunie I love it thanks so much 🤗 5y
28 likes4 comments
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MrsGagnonreads2024
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I am listening to this wonderful Audiobook while I travel today for my family reunion tomorrow.

JenlovesJT47 I‘ve heard mixed reviews about the audiobook but I love Natalie Dormer. Gonna have to give it a whirl! 🤓 5y
39 likes1 comment
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reading_rainbow
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♥️ beautiful ♥️

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Lovely story.

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Lady_Tigana_20
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(Day 18: Black and Blue) Of coffee-table-sized books, I only have these two, Film Wizardry, and the Illustrated books (1-3 so far). Definitely want to add more to my HP collection. #ColorMePretty #PhotoChallenge #HarryPotter @Sweetkokoro

Scochrane26 I think I want history of magic & the wand one. My bookstore is having a hp day on the 31st & books will be 22% off, so I may get one. 5y
Lady_Tigana_20 @Scochrane26 , Wand one? Need to look that up. I think my favorite of ones I own is HP Film Wizardry. It has ephemeral items like Marauder‘s Map and Harry‘s letter from Hogwarts and catalog from Weasleys‘ Wizard Wheezes. 5y
Scochrane26 @Lady_Tigana_20 I saw the wand one the other day—it has all the wands from the movies. I forget what it‘s called but has a black cover. I don‘t think I‘ve seen the Hp film wizardry, will look for it. (edited) 5y
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DarcysMom
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Pickpick
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DarcysMom
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DarcysMom
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DarcysMom
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DarcysMom
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Meaw_catlady
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I cannot resist the magical world! Join me ! Friend me ! 🖤

LauraJ Most of the greenhouses, inns, etc. in my neighborhood are now demolished buildings...and have been for awhile. 😵 5y
Meaw_catlady @LauraJ wow! That‘s a shame! 5y
RvnclawWhovian Sent an invite!! 5y
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RvnclawWhovian @LauraJ I live in a semi rural area and all but one of the magical creatures around me are on my neighbor‘s property lol 5y
LauraJ @RvnclawWhovian That's tough! 5y
Meaw_catlady @RvnclawWhovian @LauraJ great news! My library is an inn. As well as a pokegym I‘m feeling pretty lucky! 5y
LauraJ @Meaw_catlady my inns are both on homeless encampments. Can‘t complain without feeling like a total jerkface. 5y
Meaw_catlady @LauraJ I would think they would inspect the area before choosing it as an inn! I love the homeless but camps like that are not very safe for children who would be playing this game . I guess the creators couldn‘t inspect every spot but it seems like they must have at least got permissions from businesses and the like ? 5y
LauraJ @Meaw_catlady It's the same map from Pokemon...has it been two years? Three? 5y
Meaw_catlady @LauraJ it‘s been at least 3! 5y
Deifio Sent you a request! 5y
DaveGreen7777 I just sent you an invite, I‘m “Bookwyrm7777”! 😁 5y
33 likes12 comments
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ashsbookmarks
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My reading log, favorite 0.4 pen and my next read. This is not on my tbr but I saw it at the library and had to grab it. I miss Harry Potter 🧙🏻‍♀️
#owl #harrypotter #ahistoryofmagic #bob #pen #superfinepen #books #read #reading #tbr #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #bookish #bookishlove #pottermore #potterhead

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LouBeth
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Is it weird that I started to tear up right at the beginning of this..? Oh well, totally worth it.

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Meaw_catlady
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Love cosplaying with this group of fellow weirdos!! Snape is my favorite and I loved being him!! @WhiskeyMistress makes the perfect Minerva!

hermyknee Awesome!! 5y
julesG You all look amazing! 5y
41 likes2 comments
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maich
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Hi Littens! I'm probably the only person in this world who haven't read Harry Potter series🙈 But I've seen all movies and heard many spoilers. Maybe I will read it someday...never say never😊
A history of magic was on my sister's shelf and sound very interesting. I found beautiful paitings inside this book. Should I read it or not?

#harrypotter #ahistoryofmagic
#paperback #bloomsbury #goodreads #bookworm #booklover

BethM Sure! Introduce yourself to the world! 6y
maich @BethM 😆 I will😘 6y
48 likes2 comments
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Lyanneee
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Got this treasure at 80% off the original price! Definitely my best book purchase this month ❤️❤️

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GripLitGrl
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#LiteraryLuck #Magical
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88
Love this Harry Potter Fan Art 📷 Pinterest

JoScho 💜💜💜 6y
vkois88 Holy smokes, this is gorgeous 6y
44 likes3 comments
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KirstieE
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A small little #birthdayhaul from my friends 💜

I'm so in love with the Frankenstein edition and my friend wrote a very lovely yet raw letter about why she got me this copy and it left me feeling so loved 💕💕#HP #Classic #BookHaul

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Kimberlone
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Pickpick

Finished listening to the tagged book this morning. Highly recommend for any big HP fans. Was a great combination of the history of magic and Harry Potter lore. Natalie Dormer was a fantastic narrator, but I also loved how narration from Jim Dale and Stephen Fry and interviews with historians were incorporated. I really want to get the book now so I can see all the items from the exhibit and special HP illustrations!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Kimberlone
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Listening to this as I run an event for 11th graders this Saturday morning at a local high school.

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BethM
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Bookish Christmas presents along with a gift card and some Ravenclaw clothes. I‘ve got about 1.5hrs of work left in the house before I can snuggle in and read. I‘m going to audio Victoria while I clean and cook though. I need to introvert hard as I‘m emotionally done in.

GypsyKat Excellent!!! 💙⚡️ 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I love the entire Locke & Key series! 6y
Avanders Ooooooh 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 And yes!!! Locke & Key 😍😍 6y
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KathyWheeler Fables AND Locke & Key! Two of my favorites. ❤️ 6y
BethM @KathyWheeler I just read and there was a pretty fair amount of violence against women. And it was not discreet. Is the rest of the series like that? 6y
KathyWheeler @BethM Not in the same way — no. There is violence because of a war but it‘s not limited to women. There are also strong women characters in the series. 6y
BethM @KathyWheeler thanks! 6y
46 likes7 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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Current view as I listen to Lilac Girls. #ChipmunkCat #CatsofLitsy

DivineDiana Love your view! ❤️ 6y
BookishMarginalia 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 6y
Velvetfur Aaww pretty face! 💜 6y
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Leftcoastzen What a cutie pie! 6y
TheBogwitch Faccia bella! 6y
Dragon 😻 6y
121 likes6 comments
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Michollio
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I finally got mail (proof of address) today, so I went to the library to get a card. Now I'm official! And I couldn't leave without checking a few things out, obviously 😆

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AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

WOW. This is the book for every Harry Potter fan.

Now, I just have to hope that the exhibition will to a city near me.

hgrimes I‘m going to it in NYC in a couple of weeks! I can‘t wait! 6y
Birdsong28 The audiobook is read by Natalie Dormer!! I have this book and the audiobook 😀📖 6y
AnneCecilie @hgrimes based on the book and the documentary, you really have something to look forward to. 6y
AnneCecilie @Birdsong28 unfortunately I‘m not much of an audiobook listener. 6y
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AnneCecilie
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Next up.

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bookandcat
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#birthday #harrypotter haul! I received the 20th anniversary book set (covers by Brian Selznick's - Hermione even gets her own cover on book 3, and they all connect to make one big tapestry) as a present and today we got the History of Magic book and two puzzles at the exhibit. Oh, and magnet, not pictured.

Leftcoastzen Pretty,pretty! 6y
Avanders Oooooh and happy birthday! 🎂🎊🎁 6y
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Jess_Franzino
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Yesterday I got to go to the Harry Potter: A History of Magic Exhibit & Halloween party at the New York Historical Society. It was MAGICAL! While they sadly didn‘t allow photos in the exhibit, here‘s an adorable owl my fiancé got for me from the gift shop! I‘m obsessed with this owl!

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Brooke_H
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So many great Harry Potter books at the school book fair! I need to lock up my wallet! 😂

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Megara
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It‘s here! Because, like I said, I have zero self control. 😅

@BurghBookAddict @Birdsong28

Birdsong28 Enjoy!! The UK book is white! But it still has all the beautiful pictures and interesting facts. 📚📖 6y
Megara @Birdsong28 Yeah, this one is from the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library. After a quick flip through, I have to agree: beautiful. 😍 6y
Burghbookaddict My physical copy came yesterday, too!! 6y
Megara @BurghBookAddict So. Stoked. 6y
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moarbookspleaze
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Used a birthday gift card to order this. I also have the audiobook. Can‘t wait to read it.

Branwen I just ordered this for my library! 😀 6y
34 likes1 comment
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Rachbb3
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Yay! #bookmail ❤😀

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BookCottageBlog
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This book is absolutely gorgeous! I‘ve also been enjoying the audio version, narrated by Natalie Dormer. I highly recommend both together for a great reading & listening experience.

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GypsyKat
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Pickpick

This was really fun to listen to on audio! Other than the music and some of the interviews being slightly tinny sounding, I have no complaints. The print book is wonderful, too. Full of beautiful illustrations, photos, and historical texts and drawings. It‘s really a fascinating look at the belief in magic through the ages. I would love to see this exhibit some day!
❤️⚡️❤️⚡️❤️⚡️❤️⚡️❤️

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ssravp
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Pickpick

😁😁😁😁😁⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

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GypsyKat
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I‘m enjoying listening to this audiobook while reading along in my hardcover. I would so love to see this exhibit someday. I‘ve read about a lot of this history before, but it‘s really all so fascinating!

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GypsyKat
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I didn‘t really need to buy this audiobook, because I have the hardcover and have read most of it already, but I couldn‘t resist. Talk to me about Harry Potter, Natalie Dormer!!! ❤️⚡️

Birdsong28 I have had this on pre-order for ages!!! And because I went to cancel my account the other week after 3 months of it being on hold and said it was too expensive, I now have 3 months of credits for £3.99 so I re-ordered with my new credit! So it was really so cheap for me!! I also have the hardback but you just have to!!! Enjoy!!! 📚📖 6y
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JessNevertheless
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Waking up to this audiobook preorder was the best surprise :)

DGRachel Yes! I‘d totally forgotten that I preordered this until I saw the email from Audible. 😂😂 6y
GypsyKat OMG! I forgot this was coming out! I‘m buying it right freakin now!!! 😆😆😆 6y
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