Millions of readers around the world have been enchanted by the magical worldof wizardry, spells, and mythical beasts inhabited by Harry Potter and hisfriends.

But what most readers don't know is that there is a centuries old trove oftrue history, folklore and mythology behind Harrys fantastic universe.

Now, with "The Sorcerer's Companion", those without access to the Hogwartslibrary can school themselves in the fascinating reality behind J.K. Rowling'sworld of magic. "The Sorcerer's Companion" allows curious readers to look upanything magical from the Harry Potter books and discover a wealth ofentertaining, unexpected information.

Wands and wizards, boggars and broomsticks, hippogriffs and herbology, allhave astonishing histories rooted in legend, literature or real life eventsdating back hundreds or even thousands of years. Magic wands, like those sold inRowling's Diagon Alley, were once fashioned by Druid sorcerers out of theirsacred yew trees. Love potions were first concocted in ancient Greece and Egypt.

And books of spells and curses were highly popular during the Middle Ages.From amulets to zombies, you'll also learn how to read tea leaves, how KingFrederick II of Denmark financed a war with a unicorn horn, who the real Merlinwas, how to safely harvest Mandrake root, who wore the first cloak ofinvisibility, how to get rid of a goblin, why owls were feared in the ancientworld and the origins of our modern day Bogeyman.

A spellbinding tour of Harry's captivating world, "The Sorcerer's Companion"is a must for every Potter aficionado's bookshelf. Paperback, 286 pages