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The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic Really Works
Behind the magic of Harry Potter—a witty and illuminating look at the scientific principles, theories, and assumptions of the boy wizard's world, newly come to life again in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the upcoming film Fantastic The Crimes of Grindelwald
Can Fluffy the three-headed dog be explained by advances in molecular biology? Could the discovery of cosmic "gravity-shielding effects" unlock the secret to the Nimbus 2000 broomstick's ability to fly? Is the griffin really none other than the dinosaur Protoceratops? Roger Highfield, author of the critically acclaimed The Physics of Christmas , explores the fascinating links between magic and science to reveal that much of what strikes us as supremely strange in the Potter books can actually be explained by the conjurings of the scientific mind. This is the perfect guide for parents who want to teach their children science through their favorite adventures as well as for the millions of adult fans of the series intrigued by its marvels and mysteries.
•� An ALA Booklist Editors' Choice �
Can Fluffy the three-headed dog be explained by advances in molecular biology? Could the discovery of cosmic "gravity-shielding effects" unlock the secret to the Nimbus 2000 broomstick's ability to fly? Is the griffin really none other than the dinosaur Protoceratops? Roger Highfield, author of the critically acclaimed The Physics of Christmas , explores the fascinating links between magic and science to reveal that much of what strikes us as supremely strange in the Potter books can actually be explained by the conjurings of the scientific mind. This is the perfect guide for parents who want to teach their children science through their favorite adventures as well as for the millions of adult fans of the series intrigued by its marvels and mysteries.
•� An ALA Booklist Editors' Choice �
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
107 people are currently reading
4648 people want to read
About the author
Roger Highfield
24books11followersRoger Ronald Highfield (born 1958 in Griffithstown, Wales) is an author, science journalist, broadcaster and director of external affairs at the Science Museum Group.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
September 4, 2022
A fascinating, deep delve into every aspect of Harry Potter and all about the scientific justifications of the fictional ideas. It was detailed and nerdalicious, and I learned a lot!
January 29, 2013
This book could have been so good! Such potential, wasted. It would've been a better book if it'd been written by a science writer with a better voice (like Mary Roach, for example). Between the rich Potter source material and the wealth of scientific, religious, and philosophical knowledge at Highfield's disposal, it should have been damn near impossible to make this book boring. But he must have some kind of personal magic because he did it. I wanted so badly to just put this down, give it away, never think about it again. Adding in the passive-aggressive digs at people who actually believe in magic (whether as a flight of fancy or as a spiritual path) just made it worse. Put this in the Hadron Collider and let 'er rip.
October 15, 2013
This book is awful. It's like reading a physics manual. I do not recommend it to anyone. Including Harry Potter in the title is like a gimmick to get people to read it. I've got a masters degree and an education and this book was clearly written for science majors. Two thumbs way down.
January 8, 2013
This fascinating, fantastical masterpiece is a must-read for any fan of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series & all enchanted by magic!
This beautiful book, although NOT endorsed or approved by JK Rowling or Warner Bros, is an insightful look behind the magic, myth and mystery that is the universally loved ‘Harry Potter� books and films. This book is as illuminating as it is enchanting, by shedding light on not only magic in literature, history, myth and legend but also within science labs in our own world. With the success of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, interest in magic spells, charms and potions has never been greater. Drawing on the help of dozens of leading scholars around the world, Highfield is able to explain and entertain at the same time, making the remarkable world of magic even more real to those who want to believe�
Full of fascinating facts and information that connects science with magic (a strange combination one may think!), this captivating and far-reaching book illustrates how the two are deeply entwined. Delving into the Harry Potter books, award-winning science writer Roger Highfield reveals not only why we still believe in magic but also how magic COULD actually work � scientifically! Full of factual explanations of marvels and mysteries such as Giants, Dragons, Broomsticks and all the other oddities of JK Rowling’s magical world this absorbing book was something that I just could not tear my eyes away from. The author delves into the archeology of Witchcraft, tracing the origins of wands and speculates on the surprising connection between flying broomsticks and the bizarre drug-taking practices of Witches. Combining personal opinions and viewpoints with cutting-edge research that explains the invisibility cloak, the ability of the Philosopher’s stone to turn lead into gold and much more this really is an astonishing read.
This unusual, original book takes a scientific view on the magical world of Harry Potter that is truly unique and like nothing else you will have encountered before. What if science could explain that magic IS really real and that it exists in a form that perhaps we overlook in daily life? Thought-provoking, factual and spellbinding this mesmerizing, captivating novel is something that I urge you to read; even if you are a bit skeptical about looking at magic through the eyes of a scientist. It leaves you with questions lingering in your mind for a long time afterwards, as you contemplate on how magical creatures (i.e. Hinkypunks, Giants, Lobalugs ect.) Could PERHAPS be the result of Genetic Modification.
This scientific book may be met with a differencing of opinion by readers, for its entire design is quite singular and so I advise that one should remain OPENMINDED. It certainly got me thinking…but I am still not quite sure about all the theories contained within!
This beautiful book, although NOT endorsed or approved by JK Rowling or Warner Bros, is an insightful look behind the magic, myth and mystery that is the universally loved ‘Harry Potter� books and films. This book is as illuminating as it is enchanting, by shedding light on not only magic in literature, history, myth and legend but also within science labs in our own world. With the success of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, interest in magic spells, charms and potions has never been greater. Drawing on the help of dozens of leading scholars around the world, Highfield is able to explain and entertain at the same time, making the remarkable world of magic even more real to those who want to believe�
Full of fascinating facts and information that connects science with magic (a strange combination one may think!), this captivating and far-reaching book illustrates how the two are deeply entwined. Delving into the Harry Potter books, award-winning science writer Roger Highfield reveals not only why we still believe in magic but also how magic COULD actually work � scientifically! Full of factual explanations of marvels and mysteries such as Giants, Dragons, Broomsticks and all the other oddities of JK Rowling’s magical world this absorbing book was something that I just could not tear my eyes away from. The author delves into the archeology of Witchcraft, tracing the origins of wands and speculates on the surprising connection between flying broomsticks and the bizarre drug-taking practices of Witches. Combining personal opinions and viewpoints with cutting-edge research that explains the invisibility cloak, the ability of the Philosopher’s stone to turn lead into gold and much more this really is an astonishing read.
This unusual, original book takes a scientific view on the magical world of Harry Potter that is truly unique and like nothing else you will have encountered before. What if science could explain that magic IS really real and that it exists in a form that perhaps we overlook in daily life? Thought-provoking, factual and spellbinding this mesmerizing, captivating novel is something that I urge you to read; even if you are a bit skeptical about looking at magic through the eyes of a scientist. It leaves you with questions lingering in your mind for a long time afterwards, as you contemplate on how magical creatures (i.e. Hinkypunks, Giants, Lobalugs ect.) Could PERHAPS be the result of Genetic Modification.
This scientific book may be met with a differencing of opinion by readers, for its entire design is quite singular and so I advise that one should remain OPENMINDED. It certainly got me thinking…but I am still not quite sure about all the theories contained within!
March 29, 2017
I made a whole video about the book!
May 8, 2016
(Questa non è una recensione).
Quando sfoglio le pagine di questo libro, all'improvviso torno quella ragazzina che, appena finiti i compiti per la scuola, spingeva la poltrona vicino al camino e sprofondava nella lettura fino ad avere le guance infiammate dal calore e gli occhi lucidi per la stanchezza. Una ragazzina che voleva disperatamente somigliare a Hermione e sognava che la magia esistesse per davvero.
Non sono cambiata poi molto.
Quando sfoglio le pagine di questo libro, all'improvviso torno quella ragazzina che, appena finiti i compiti per la scuola, spingeva la poltrona vicino al camino e sprofondava nella lettura fino ad avere le guance infiammate dal calore e gli occhi lucidi per la stanchezza. Una ragazzina che voleva disperatamente somigliare a Hermione e sognava che la magia esistesse per davvero.
Non sono cambiata poi molto.
April 12, 2019
An interesting and very factual read.
October 26, 2018
What an odd little book. I ended up really liking it, but it was definitely not what I expected.
First of all, I'm not sure exactly who the intended audience is. I thought it was going to be more of a kids' or YA book, but the language and style are more advanced and technical - I can't imagine your average teenager reading through the whole thing.
Also, the first and second halves of the book are completely different. The first half is anchored firmly in the Harry Potter universe, with some increasingly tenuous attempts to tie the magic of that world to the cutting edge of Muggle science, circa 2002. For example, there's talk of antigravity research in the context of broomsticks, and of genetic engineering in the context of trying to guess which real-world species could most easily be transformed into a house elf or niffler. Some parts were good (I liked the section about owls), others less so (I didn't think the section on game theory worked at all), and at this point I commented to the friend who gave me the book, "I'm as big a fan as anyone of tricking kids into learning about science, but who would have ever thought that a book about the science of Harry Potter would be a cynical cash-grab?"
BUT! The second part turned out to be much, much better. I suspect this section - all about the history and philosophy of science, herbal medicine, alchemy, superstition, and witchcraft - is the book that the author really wanted to write, but that he had to include the first part to justify using the Harry Potter hook. (This second part of the book does include a few references back to the Harry Potter universe, but they seem to be an afterthought, possibly thrown in after the fact to satisfy an agent or editor!) I really enjoyed these musings on "where magic stops and science starts", how fields like alchemy and chemistry evolved in parallel, the story of the real Nicolas Flamel, how early discoveries of the bones and fossilized tracks of dinosaur and woolly mammoths bred stories of dragons and giants, how some herbal remedies are being incorporated into mainstream western medicine (and how much herbal knowledge, especially around fertility control, was lost when "witches" started being persecuted and killed), the possible evolutionary origins of superstition and religious belief, and so on.
There's some really good stuff in here, and I'm glad I persevered.
First of all, I'm not sure exactly who the intended audience is. I thought it was going to be more of a kids' or YA book, but the language and style are more advanced and technical - I can't imagine your average teenager reading through the whole thing.
Also, the first and second halves of the book are completely different. The first half is anchored firmly in the Harry Potter universe, with some increasingly tenuous attempts to tie the magic of that world to the cutting edge of Muggle science, circa 2002. For example, there's talk of antigravity research in the context of broomsticks, and of genetic engineering in the context of trying to guess which real-world species could most easily be transformed into a house elf or niffler. Some parts were good (I liked the section about owls), others less so (I didn't think the section on game theory worked at all), and at this point I commented to the friend who gave me the book, "I'm as big a fan as anyone of tricking kids into learning about science, but who would have ever thought that a book about the science of Harry Potter would be a cynical cash-grab?"
BUT! The second part turned out to be much, much better. I suspect this section - all about the history and philosophy of science, herbal medicine, alchemy, superstition, and witchcraft - is the book that the author really wanted to write, but that he had to include the first part to justify using the Harry Potter hook. (This second part of the book does include a few references back to the Harry Potter universe, but they seem to be an afterthought, possibly thrown in after the fact to satisfy an agent or editor!) I really enjoyed these musings on "where magic stops and science starts", how fields like alchemy and chemistry evolved in parallel, the story of the real Nicolas Flamel, how early discoveries of the bones and fossilized tracks of dinosaur and woolly mammoths bred stories of dragons and giants, how some herbal remedies are being incorporated into mainstream western medicine (and how much herbal knowledge, especially around fertility control, was lost when "witches" started being persecuted and killed), the possible evolutionary origins of superstition and religious belief, and so on.
There's some really good stuff in here, and I'm glad I persevered.
February 3, 2010
The author of this book is obviously a Harry Potter fan, but for different reasons than most Harry Potter fans. He takes the magical world of Harry Potter and proceeds to explain/analyze the real-world science behind it all. An interesting theme throughout the book is that of the contrasting and comparing “magic� vs. “science� and whether both can co-exist, their common origins, etc. Here are some notable excerpts/quotes from the book I thought might be worth sharing here:
“To the average Muggle, the revelations of modern science are often as obscure as a witch doctor’s spell� Ironically, this lack of comprehension of what now seems a normal part of our lives, whether the workings of a jet engine or a photocopier, may even pave the way toward a belief in magic that can make seemingly impossible things possible� ‘Technology has taken over our lives, but science has not overtaken our minds.� (Stuart Vyse)�
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.� (Arthur C. Clarke)
“Another theory of how the [invisibility:] cloak might work can be found in that influential Muggle masterpiece, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where the late Douglas Adams said that objects are made invisible by using a SEP-field� Unfortunately for us, this solution is the product of a witty mind, not clever science: SEP stands for ‘someone else’s problem.’�
“Science will never be able to erase all the magic from life.�
“The modern brain is an overzealous pattern seeker in its attempts to link cause and effect: it is likely to construct coincidences, even if two events are not linked in any way. This is the source of much Muggle superstition and magic.�
“Indeed, the very foundation of science-—mathematics-—contains randomness, a finding that should trouble any triumphalist boffin [scientist:] who expects to tie the ultimate secrets of the universe into a neat bundle of theory, with no dangling lose ends. Is science then a matter of faith, a mathematical voodoo, a theoretical fetish, a kind of religion based on research?�
“If magic is to be defined as the employment of ineffective techniques to allay anxiety when effective ones are not available, then we must recognize that no society will ever be free from it.�
“Most people do indeed believe in magic of one sort or another, whether the thespian who shouts ‘break a leg� at a colleague, the student who always wears the same outfit for exams, the blushing bride who crosses her fingers for good luck or those who jump with joy when they find a four-leaf clover. Why is our belief in magic so deeply ingrained? Indeed, why do we believe in anything at all?�
“Survival of our species has demanded a capacity to work together, to form societies. A willingness to live, and if necessary die for, a belief is a powerful selective advantage. There is a genetic propensity for us to believe.� (John Burn)
“I have often admired the mystical way of Pythagoras, and the secret magic of numbers.� (Sir Thomas Browne)
“A physical theory of everything might be irrelevant at the level of reality that matters to us, just as the to-and-fros of electrons in a PC’s microchips are invisible to and unheeded by a computer operator. Everything is indeed governed by Schrödinger’s equation, a quantum expression that can describe all atoms or groups of atoms. However, you can’t readily express a babbling brook, a thought on a wing or a crackling electronic logic circuit in terms of atoms, and it is at this length scale, between the cosmic and atomic domains, where the most challenging science lies.�
“To the average Muggle, the revelations of modern science are often as obscure as a witch doctor’s spell� Ironically, this lack of comprehension of what now seems a normal part of our lives, whether the workings of a jet engine or a photocopier, may even pave the way toward a belief in magic that can make seemingly impossible things possible� ‘Technology has taken over our lives, but science has not overtaken our minds.� (Stuart Vyse)�
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.� (Arthur C. Clarke)
“Another theory of how the [invisibility:] cloak might work can be found in that influential Muggle masterpiece, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where the late Douglas Adams said that objects are made invisible by using a SEP-field� Unfortunately for us, this solution is the product of a witty mind, not clever science: SEP stands for ‘someone else’s problem.’�
“Science will never be able to erase all the magic from life.�
“The modern brain is an overzealous pattern seeker in its attempts to link cause and effect: it is likely to construct coincidences, even if two events are not linked in any way. This is the source of much Muggle superstition and magic.�
“Indeed, the very foundation of science-—mathematics-—contains randomness, a finding that should trouble any triumphalist boffin [scientist:] who expects to tie the ultimate secrets of the universe into a neat bundle of theory, with no dangling lose ends. Is science then a matter of faith, a mathematical voodoo, a theoretical fetish, a kind of religion based on research?�
“If magic is to be defined as the employment of ineffective techniques to allay anxiety when effective ones are not available, then we must recognize that no society will ever be free from it.�
“Most people do indeed believe in magic of one sort or another, whether the thespian who shouts ‘break a leg� at a colleague, the student who always wears the same outfit for exams, the blushing bride who crosses her fingers for good luck or those who jump with joy when they find a four-leaf clover. Why is our belief in magic so deeply ingrained? Indeed, why do we believe in anything at all?�
“Survival of our species has demanded a capacity to work together, to form societies. A willingness to live, and if necessary die for, a belief is a powerful selective advantage. There is a genetic propensity for us to believe.� (John Burn)
“I have often admired the mystical way of Pythagoras, and the secret magic of numbers.� (Sir Thomas Browne)
“A physical theory of everything might be irrelevant at the level of reality that matters to us, just as the to-and-fros of electrons in a PC’s microchips are invisible to and unheeded by a computer operator. Everything is indeed governed by Schrödinger’s equation, a quantum expression that can describe all atoms or groups of atoms. However, you can’t readily express a babbling brook, a thought on a wing or a crackling electronic logic circuit in terms of atoms, and it is at this length scale, between the cosmic and atomic domains, where the most challenging science lies.�
December 21, 2011
It’s been nearly twelve years since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hit shelves in the U.S. Since then, schools all over the world have added the Harry Potter series to required reading lists…kids (including myself) have forgone parties, sleep, and playtime to waiting in lines miles and miles long to get a first glimpse of the next Harry Potter novel. Since its inception, the Harry Potter franchise has grossed more than four billion dollars…and that number’s only going to skyrocket with the movie release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
So what is it about this boy wizard’s world that has everyone hooked? And how far away are we from really being able to enjoy using an Invisibility Cloak, having our own house elves, or training owls to deliver the mail? Those are the questions Roger Highfield tries to answer in his illuminating book, The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic REALLY Works.
Here we are introduced to the world of Harry Potter…not as J.K. Rowling shows it, but as a learned muggle might see it. Highfield takes the works of Harry Potter and highlights the “magic� in them…the Invisibility Cloak, the Quidditch games, the animals in the dark forest, the people, places, and things that help bring Harry Potter to life, and attempts to explain to the reader how this magic could or might “work.� For example, he offers his suggestions of DNA combinations to make yourself a Dobby, or a Hagrid, or even a giant man-eating spider.
I’m not going to lie here…a lot of this stuff went right over my head. The calculations at the beginning of the book that tried to explain what must happen for a broom to fly or how to move through time were enough to make me “wingardium leviosa� the book right back on the shelf…but I plowed through and I’m so glad I did.
The Science of Harry Potter is broken down into two main parts: the first part deals mainly with how the magic works…how we can ideally move through time or create Every Flavor Jelly Beans or mutate DNA genes to make a dragon. The second half is more of a historical look into magic…an overview of the world of sorcery, witches and wizards, the Sorcerer’s stone, and the one wizard who would give Dumbledore a run for his money�
The Science of Harry Potter is a great book for any fan of the series. While some may be weary that this book might ruin the magic, they should fear not. After all, Highfield himself has this to say of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: “Science will never be able to erase all the magic from life.�
Read more at:
So what is it about this boy wizard’s world that has everyone hooked? And how far away are we from really being able to enjoy using an Invisibility Cloak, having our own house elves, or training owls to deliver the mail? Those are the questions Roger Highfield tries to answer in his illuminating book, The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic REALLY Works.
Here we are introduced to the world of Harry Potter…not as J.K. Rowling shows it, but as a learned muggle might see it. Highfield takes the works of Harry Potter and highlights the “magic� in them…the Invisibility Cloak, the Quidditch games, the animals in the dark forest, the people, places, and things that help bring Harry Potter to life, and attempts to explain to the reader how this magic could or might “work.� For example, he offers his suggestions of DNA combinations to make yourself a Dobby, or a Hagrid, or even a giant man-eating spider.
I’m not going to lie here…a lot of this stuff went right over my head. The calculations at the beginning of the book that tried to explain what must happen for a broom to fly or how to move through time were enough to make me “wingardium leviosa� the book right back on the shelf…but I plowed through and I’m so glad I did.
The Science of Harry Potter is broken down into two main parts: the first part deals mainly with how the magic works…how we can ideally move through time or create Every Flavor Jelly Beans or mutate DNA genes to make a dragon. The second half is more of a historical look into magic…an overview of the world of sorcery, witches and wizards, the Sorcerer’s stone, and the one wizard who would give Dumbledore a run for his money�
The Science of Harry Potter is a great book for any fan of the series. While some may be weary that this book might ruin the magic, they should fear not. After all, Highfield himself has this to say of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: “Science will never be able to erase all the magic from life.�
Read more at:
Read
December 2, 2015Nick Vail
B-2
12/1/15
I read The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic Really Works by Roger Highfield for my quarter 2 ŷ. This book, although not approved by JK Rowling or Warner Bros, is a behind the scenes look into the magic, myth, and mystery that is the universally loved ‘Harry Potter� books and films. The purpose of this book is to illuminate, by shedding light on not only magic in literature, history, myth and legend but also within science labs in our own world. With the success of Harry Potter,people love the supernatural. Highfield is able to explain and entertain at the same time by citing things from many sources, making the remarkable world of magic even more real to those who want to believe.
Full of facts and information that connects science with magic, the theme is to captivate the readers and the book illustrates how the two are connected, like for reals. Full of factual explanations of mysteries such as giants, dragons, broomsticks and all the other unexplainable things of JK Rowling’s magical world and this absorbing book was something that I just could not tear my eyes away from because it was so enthralling. The author goes into the science of witchcraft, tracing the origins of wands and speculates on the surprising connection between flying broomsticks and the bizarre drug-taking practices of witches and yeah. I kid you not, combining personal opinions with cutting-edge research that explains the invisibility cloak, the ability of the Sorcerer’s stone to turn lead into gold and much more, making this really is an astonishing read, like I felt this all on a spiritual level.
This unusual, original book takes a scientific view on the magical world of Harry Potter that is truly unique and like nothing else you will have encountered before. What if science could explain that magic is really real and that it exists in a form that maybe most people overlook in everyday life. This book actually made me put thought into this, you know, factual and spellbinding, this captivating novel is something that I urge people to read, even if you are a bit skeptical about looking at magic through the eyes of a scientist. It leaves you with questions in your mind for a long time afterwards. This scientific book is very controversial because its entire design is quite singular and so I think that readers should remain open minded, for real it just makes more sense. It certainly got me thinking but I am still not quite sure about all the theories that Highfield expresses but I kid you not, Gryffindor wins.
B-2
12/1/15
I read The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic Really Works by Roger Highfield for my quarter 2 ŷ. This book, although not approved by JK Rowling or Warner Bros, is a behind the scenes look into the magic, myth, and mystery that is the universally loved ‘Harry Potter� books and films. The purpose of this book is to illuminate, by shedding light on not only magic in literature, history, myth and legend but also within science labs in our own world. With the success of Harry Potter,people love the supernatural. Highfield is able to explain and entertain at the same time by citing things from many sources, making the remarkable world of magic even more real to those who want to believe.
Full of facts and information that connects science with magic, the theme is to captivate the readers and the book illustrates how the two are connected, like for reals. Full of factual explanations of mysteries such as giants, dragons, broomsticks and all the other unexplainable things of JK Rowling’s magical world and this absorbing book was something that I just could not tear my eyes away from because it was so enthralling. The author goes into the science of witchcraft, tracing the origins of wands and speculates on the surprising connection between flying broomsticks and the bizarre drug-taking practices of witches and yeah. I kid you not, combining personal opinions with cutting-edge research that explains the invisibility cloak, the ability of the Sorcerer’s stone to turn lead into gold and much more, making this really is an astonishing read, like I felt this all on a spiritual level.
This unusual, original book takes a scientific view on the magical world of Harry Potter that is truly unique and like nothing else you will have encountered before. What if science could explain that magic is really real and that it exists in a form that maybe most people overlook in everyday life. This book actually made me put thought into this, you know, factual and spellbinding, this captivating novel is something that I urge people to read, even if you are a bit skeptical about looking at magic through the eyes of a scientist. It leaves you with questions in your mind for a long time afterwards. This scientific book is very controversial because its entire design is quite singular and so I think that readers should remain open minded, for real it just makes more sense. It certainly got me thinking but I am still not quite sure about all the theories that Highfield expresses but I kid you not, Gryffindor wins.
January 26, 2016
For the most part, I found this quite interesting. When it wasn't being too scientific, I found it fascinating -- particularly the bits about the world's changing views on magic and how science could sometimes be misconstrued as paranormal. And I very much enjoyed reading about how apparating would work and the genetic bioengineering that would be required to create Blastended Skrewts and Hippogriffs. While I couldn't exactly follow all of it (cos he kept referring to proteins by their chemical names and not telling me what said proteins did for the body), I found it interesting.
Where he lost me a bit though was when he kept using the words "superstition" and "religion" and "magic" interchangeably. I, personally, refer to "magic" as wonderful, awe inspiring things that science can't explain yet. And religion and superstition are NOWHERE in the same vicinity. People die for religion; they don't die for the idea of throwing salt over their shoulder when they've spilled some. I felt his blase phrasing of such things not only offensive to my own beliefs, but to the beliefs of some others. There was also a tone that implied science and religion are at odds and mutually exclusive, when, in truth, they are not. (But he does seem to be a Richard Dawkins fan, so the sometimes excessive quotations of the world's leading scientific atheist are going to automatically feed this tone to the work.)
And the whole Harry Potter universe is really just a platform to talk about more intrinsic science and used very sparingly, so if you're wanting to read cos Harry Potter is in the title, I wouldn't suggest it. You'd be rather disappointed.
Where he lost me a bit though was when he kept using the words "superstition" and "religion" and "magic" interchangeably. I, personally, refer to "magic" as wonderful, awe inspiring things that science can't explain yet. And religion and superstition are NOWHERE in the same vicinity. People die for religion; they don't die for the idea of throwing salt over their shoulder when they've spilled some. I felt his blase phrasing of such things not only offensive to my own beliefs, but to the beliefs of some others. There was also a tone that implied science and religion are at odds and mutually exclusive, when, in truth, they are not. (But he does seem to be a Richard Dawkins fan, so the sometimes excessive quotations of the world's leading scientific atheist are going to automatically feed this tone to the work.)
And the whole Harry Potter universe is really just a platform to talk about more intrinsic science and used very sparingly, so if you're wanting to read cos Harry Potter is in the title, I wouldn't suggest it. You'd be rather disappointed.
September 12, 2017
I'll be honest, I didn't get far. I didn't enjoy the voice of the author and that really put me off. But do you know what the most annoying part of the book was? The fact that there was a little text box smack dead center in the middle of the text. What the heck?! That is some bad page design. It's not even like it was just a graphic, which is annoying enough. The few I saw before I gave up were all quotes. This book was a huge pass for me. I'm sure there are people it will appeal to, I just wasn't one of them.
June 18, 2022
This book had so much potential but the way it is written felt like homework to me and it's simply not for me. The fact it took me 4 years to finish it should tell you enough.
December 15, 2022
Felt pretty loosely related to Harry Potter, but gave a good overview of cool math and science topics. Probably more ideal for a teen audience.
November 11, 2018
This book made me very unexcited to read. By the time I was willing to admit how much I was displeased by it, I had to alternate every chapter with a chapter from a different book just so I could get through it. I honestly did not want to read more than two pages at a time. It took me three months to get through 288 pages because I just did not want to finish (and I'm never one to DNF so I just had to stick it out).
Let me clarify by saying I was very excited to read this book when I first bought it. Science AND Harry Potter? Two of my favorite things on Earth, what could go wrong? Everything, it turns out.
I was bored reading this, which is probably because it was not what I was expecting. When I realized that it was not what I was expecting, I tried to decide "what was I expecting?" And I honestly don't even know. I guess something about the scientific roots of actual magic, like how quantum physics and wormholes or other dimensions could actually cause something like magic to happen. This book is just a comparison of the things that happen in Harry Potter to hardly related things that have happened in the scientific community. Oh, there are owls in the Harry Potter series? Here's an entire section on how owls see better in the dark than humans do.
This, along with some stylistic disagreements, caused my distaste for the book. Some of the phrases used were just in poor taste, something that surely would have been realized by a more experienced or skillful writer. For example, he mentions that it's "common sense" that the Hogwarts motto (which is in Latin) means "never tickle a sleeping dragon". If it's a joke, I didn't get it, and this is just one example of the dissonance I felt while reading the author's writing.
My last issue with the book: it has the dumbest last sentence a book can have. I think about the potential the last sentence had to leave the reader with a sense of magic, some connection between magic and science, some whimsical feeling of closure after having read an entire book on the subject. What we got was: "Harry Potter is unique." WHAT? It doesn't relate to the topic or theme of the book, and it is so abrupt, I wanted to unread it.
Now for the redeeming qualities, a.k.a. why this is two stars instead of one. There were several parts of the book where the names of characters or objects in the HP universe were explained. I loved hearing about this, about the historical relevance of the name "Nicholas Flamel" in relation to the Philosopher's Stone, or the parallels between Dumbledore and John Dee. I wish there was more focus on this kind of thing in the book, instead of just having a few of these thrown in as a side note. I also didn't hate the part about the history of witchcraft in the human world.
Maybe my review is harsh, but I was disappointed by this one. The most painful bad books are the ones that you had the highest hopes for.
Let me clarify by saying I was very excited to read this book when I first bought it. Science AND Harry Potter? Two of my favorite things on Earth, what could go wrong? Everything, it turns out.
I was bored reading this, which is probably because it was not what I was expecting. When I realized that it was not what I was expecting, I tried to decide "what was I expecting?" And I honestly don't even know. I guess something about the scientific roots of actual magic, like how quantum physics and wormholes or other dimensions could actually cause something like magic to happen. This book is just a comparison of the things that happen in Harry Potter to hardly related things that have happened in the scientific community. Oh, there are owls in the Harry Potter series? Here's an entire section on how owls see better in the dark than humans do.
This, along with some stylistic disagreements, caused my distaste for the book. Some of the phrases used were just in poor taste, something that surely would have been realized by a more experienced or skillful writer. For example, he mentions that it's "common sense" that the Hogwarts motto (which is in Latin) means "never tickle a sleeping dragon". If it's a joke, I didn't get it, and this is just one example of the dissonance I felt while reading the author's writing.
My last issue with the book: it has the dumbest last sentence a book can have. I think about the potential the last sentence had to leave the reader with a sense of magic, some connection between magic and science, some whimsical feeling of closure after having read an entire book on the subject. What we got was: "Harry Potter is unique." WHAT? It doesn't relate to the topic or theme of the book, and it is so abrupt, I wanted to unread it.
Now for the redeeming qualities, a.k.a. why this is two stars instead of one. There were several parts of the book where the names of characters or objects in the HP universe were explained. I loved hearing about this, about the historical relevance of the name "Nicholas Flamel" in relation to the Philosopher's Stone, or the parallels between Dumbledore and John Dee. I wish there was more focus on this kind of thing in the book, instead of just having a few of these thrown in as a side note. I also didn't hate the part about the history of witchcraft in the human world.
Maybe my review is harsh, but I was disappointed by this one. The most painful bad books are the ones that you had the highest hopes for.
November 16, 2022
Książka idealna dla fanów Harrego, ale nie tylko, gdyż w większym stopniu opisuje ona naszą rzeczywistość niż świat znany z serii książek o Czarodzieju. Każda część rozpoczyna się od wskazania elementu świata magicznego np. teleportacja czy astronomia, a następnie otrzymujemy przypomnienie w jakiej sytuacji uczniowie Hogwartu mieli z tym do czynienia. Tu następuje moment kulminacyjny i to na co zostało w tej książce poświęcone najwięcej uwagi, czyli opisanie jakie podłoże mają te szczegóły, wydarzenia, zaklęcia czy postacie w świecie rzeczywistym. Wiedzieliście, że Merlin ze słynnego czarodziejskiego powiedzenia „Na brodę Merlina� jest w rzeczywistości postacią z historyczną? Z tej pozycji dowiecie się także gdzie i kiedy udało się dokonać prawdziwej teleportacji, czym jest percepcja magnetyczna gołębi i czy czyni je lepszymi od sów, czym jest lewitacja akustyczna i jak się ona ma do zaklęcia Leviosa? To zaledwie garstka informacji, które możecie zgłębić dzięki tej lekturze. Na pierwszy rzut oka wydaje się, że to książka stricte magiczna, skupiająca się na Wizarding World, jednak według mnie jest to genialnie skonstruowana książka popularnonaukowa, która pozwala zdobyć wiedzę uniwersalną w przyjemny sposób. Język jest jasny, prosty, a informacje o danych elementach w odpowiedniej ilości, bez zbędnego rozwlekania. Po jej przeczytaniu zupełnie inaczej odbieram także świat stworzony przez Rowling, bo zdałam sobie sprawę, że niemalże każdy element w nim ma uzasadnienie w nauce, historii, przyrodzie, a autorka zaczerpnęła inspiracji z tego co znane, aby stworzyć nowy magiczny świat. Nie dość, że świetnie się przy niej bawiłam to niesamowicie wzbogaciłam swoją wiedzę dotyczącą zarówno mojej codzienności jak i tej w Hogwarcie.
August 21, 2021
Either the author missed the point, or I missed the point. I was skeptical going into this book, and it lived up to all my skepticism. While I really enjoy literary criticism of Harry Potter (I've read many), this was terrible. I'm sorry but in this fantasy world magic is not science, and in the real world magic doesn't really work. This author basically used the Harry Potter series and a jumping-off point to discuss modern science, while only tangentially relating the two. There was a section in his chapter on potions called "How Drugs Work".... really? *sigh* He also got some facts about the books wrong, which really put the final nail in the coffin of this book for me. If you're not going to get your facts straight, then what are we even doing here?
February 19, 2019
I liked it a lot. It gives a los of tips and information of today's technology and science comparing it with the Wozarding World.
Sure, it's not a book for Elon Musk to read, it's for normal Muggles with a simple language who like interesting facts without the need to understant quantic phisics. Most of the chapters are easy to read with children: Flying brooms, Animals, owl mail, mythology... but it contains chapters on other topics as well (Religion, Chemistry, Medicine, etc.)
It's a little outdated (2003: Large Hadron Collider was not turned on yet, Stephen Hawking was still alive...) but overall it gives a lot of curious and interesting facts.
Sure, it's not a book for Elon Musk to read, it's for normal Muggles with a simple language who like interesting facts without the need to understant quantic phisics. Most of the chapters are easy to read with children: Flying brooms, Animals, owl mail, mythology... but it contains chapters on other topics as well (Religion, Chemistry, Medicine, etc.)
It's a little outdated (2003: Large Hadron Collider was not turned on yet, Stephen Hawking was still alive...) but overall it gives a lot of curious and interesting facts.
January 22, 2022
I’ve read a few reviews before picking up this book myself and to be honest I was a little intimidated. I enjoy different worldviews and understanding where things, ideas or beliefs come from. This book satisfied both my love of Harry Potter, and all things magical as well as a view of the world around me. Going in with an open mind, knowing you will not understand every concept and you’re not going to be able to write an essay about what you’ve learned. This book provided me a space to connect with history, science and magic.
September 11, 2017
Had its ups and downs as you go through the chapters, which makes me wonder if this reflected the varying degrees of the author's interest in different chapters and subjects or was it a lack of real science to draw on? Hard to tell. Great list of sources in the bibliography so if you're interested in more in depth on different subjects. Need to poke around there and see what might be useful. Might not keep it on my shelf after that.
February 12, 2020
Descubram a história e razão pelo qual as histórias de Harry Potter se regem, é explicado como é que a ciência pode explicar certos animais ou reações humanas, o que pode ser "construído" para que os veículos funcionem.
Também é explicada a magia deste mundo que todos nos surpreende, com os seus feitiços, lições e não só.
Para descobrir e redescobrir a magia de Harry Potter, basta ler e compreender o que este livro nos conta.
Também é explicada a magia deste mundo que todos nos surpreende, com os seus feitiços, lições e não só.
Para descobrir e redescobrir a magia de Harry Potter, basta ler e compreender o que este livro nos conta.
January 19, 2024
Skvělý mix vědy a HP obsese. Love it! První půlka se zabývá možnými vysvětleními HP magie a jak by vlastně mohla fungovat, druhá půlka zase historií čarodějnictví, mozkem nebo původem víry a pověrčivosti. Rozhodně doporučuju pro všechny Harry Potter fanoušky, ale myslím, že pro kohokoli bude kniha dost obohacující. Já teda s námelem budu někde perlit pořád! Jediné, co bych si ale přála je, aby vyšla nějaká nová a aktualizovaná verze, protože věda se vyvíjí rychleji než řekneš famrfpál.
February 20, 2018
Took me a while to finish this one.
My brain seems to process non-fiction in a very different way and it is draining!
There were good bits, meh bits and really boring name dropping bits.
Some interesting info definitely but ultimately not my cup of tea. I think?
Ai. Non Fiction you confusing fiend!
My brain seems to process non-fiction in a very different way and it is draining!
There were good bits, meh bits and really boring name dropping bits.
Some interesting info definitely but ultimately not my cup of tea. I think?
Ai. Non Fiction you confusing fiend!
March 20, 2018
To read or not to read: Don’t read. Unless you are very scientific, I don’t think it’s worth the effort. I quite enjoy science, and have a relatively good understanding of it, but even I found it dry. Stick with the magical theories behind it all!
October 17, 2019
Suitable for 10-14 year-olds, The Science of Harry Potter uses the many interesting supernatural phenomena in the Harry Potter universe to discuss numerous interesting bits of social and natural silence with greater rigor than usually found in books written for the same age range. It is a valuable opportunity for a preteen to engage with various fields of research.
December 31, 2019
This could have been so so so good, but it was just written and structured in a way that made it hard to want to keep picking it up. I love science, I love history, and I love Harry Potter, and I’m not intimidated by academic writing... but somehow this book managed to be borderline boring? So many interesting facts but something just didn’t click.
March 23, 2018
Great way to explain Science to young ones using Harry Potter, but also a really interesting read for fans who also happen to be science nerds (or just HP fans who want to apply the wizarding world to the ‘muggle� world.)
September 4, 2017
If you're a fan, you need to own this book.
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