All you REALLY need me to do is point out the queue line, so you can board the ride and hang on for dear life!Ī first person narrative, with all the immediacy that that voice provides, Ms. Not to put TOO fine a point on it, but if you have any interest in Harry Potter whatsoever, even a smidgen, in the Harry Potter phenomenon that captured the hearts and minds and imagination of millions of people worldwide, THIS is the book to buy THIS is the book to read and THIS is the book to treasure.Īs to the actual contents, frankly, I’d prefer you to discover that for yourself: This book is a roller-coaster ride through the ups and downs of the Harry Potter phenomenon, so Do you REALLY want me to point out where all the surprises and delights are, or the comments that Rowling provided? I thought not.

Because of her breadth of knowledge about the Harry Potter fandom, her extensive connections in that fandom, and her infectious enthusiasm for all things Harry Potter, this book is what Disney theme-park insiders call the “E” ticket: the best, grandest, most exciting ride imaginable. The last part, “life inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon,” is at the heart of this book and its author, who runs what is unquestionably the single best Harry Potter website, The Leaky Cauldron. Rowling and the Harry Potter phenomenon, this one is unique for several reasons: first, it was written with the full cooperation of Rowling, which means that there’s material you’ll not find in any other book about Harry Potter second, it features a foreword written especially for the book by Rowling, who shares her considerable enthusiasm not only for the book but its lovely and talented author, Melissa Anelli and, third, it’s written by a bonafide journalist, so you can be sure that the book lives up to its subtitle: the true story of a boy wizard, his fans, and life inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon. Though there have been dozens of books, all unauthorized, about J.K. George Beahm, author of several Harry Potter ancillary titles, wrote the following review of Harry: A History on its Amazon page:ĥ.0 out of 5 stars Your ESSENTIAL first-class ticket to the Harry Potter phenomenon writtten by an insider, Melissa Anelli., October 23, 2008

Harry, a History by Melissa Anelli