Karen Farrington

This book is not just an atlas. The author tries to convey the essential character of each religion. She acknowledges in the Introduction that religion has been used as “the ultimate tool to power” but throughout the book reflects her bias that “Today’s mainstream religions are demonstrably forces for good; teaching mutual love, respect protection fo the weak, and a moral code for life.” To this cynic and reader of history, nothing seems further from the truth.

Nevertheless, the book has some value for anyone looking for a “quick and dirty” explanation of different religions - both mainstream and those more of the “cult” variety. It has a lovely selection of color photos and maps. Readers should, however, take the text with a grain of salt - or just read twitter for a view of how religion is actually used, a good (and sorry) reflection of how it has always been used.

The book is organized by region, beginning with the Middle East, and moving on to North America, Central and South America, Africa Europe, Asia, and Australasia.… (mere)

If you think you know all there is to know about everything Harry Potter then think again. This one's literally chockful of all manner of facts, statistics and random thoughts that'll send your head spinning. I therefore caution the reader to not plough through this reference book in one sitting. But then if you're aiming to answer one of the many varied Harry Potter quizzes and games floating online, then you got yourself covered.

My personal favorite trivia covered were:
~ The different departments under the Ministry of Magic
~ Witch Dates (coinciding with Muggle historical events)
~ Wizard Holiday Destinations
~ Hogwarts versus Middle-Earth
~ Harry Potter film blunders
~ Error Terror (possible or intentional errors on Rowling's part?)
~ Truth and Lies
~ Magic Mentors (Dumbledore versus Gandalf)
~ Non-Starters (imaginative book titles for the Harry Potter book series which Rowling herself came up with)
~ Harry Potter's Broken Records
~ Runes illustration contained in the book's Divination Classes entry
~ Cast of Characters (in alphabetical order; but no inclusion of new names included in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
~ Acting Up (the who's who of actors and actresses in the Harry Potter films)
~ Wizard Transport
~ Harry Potter Gazeeter

Overall a good compilation of anything related with Harry Potter but it could've been greatly improved if the writers/compilers of facts have waited for the publication release of the last book in the series. There are some entries which tried too hard to bridge the gap of a relationship between magic and science and may prove boring to some.

After reading this book, I couldn't help but yearn for a pensieve myself, since I never realized how much I still don't know about the magical world created by Rowling (and her influences), and now I got a dose too much.

Book Details:

Title The Potter Pensieve: Trivial Delights from the World of Harry Potter
Author Karen Farrington and Lewis Constable
Reviewed By Purplycookie… (mere)