Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======Wizarding Textbooks====== =====Object Information===== * **Type:** Educational Tool, Scholarly Item * **Owners:** Primarily students and faculty of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and other magical institutions. * **Maker:** Penned by various wizarding authors, including [[Newton Scamander]], [[Bathilda Bagshot]], [[Miranda Goshawk]], [[Arsenius Jigger]], and [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]. They are distributed by wizarding publishers, such as Obscurus Books and Little Red Books (Pottermore). =====Description and Appearance===== Wizarding textbooks vary widely in appearance, much like their [[Muggle]] counterparts. Many are standard hardback or paperback books containing text and illustrations. However, a significant number possess magical qualities. Illustrations within these books are often enchanted to move, similar to the photographs in the //[[Daily Prophet]]//. Some textbooks have more pronounced and interactive magical properties. The most famous example is //The Monster Book of Monsters//, a large, fur-covered book with eyes that would snap and bite at anyone attempting to open it improperly. Other books mentioned include //The Invisible Book of Invisibility//, which is, by its nature, impossible to see, and //Secrets of the Darkest Art//, a book on [[Horcruxes]] that was known to shriek when opened. These characteristics often reflect the nature of the subject they cover. =====Magical Properties and Usage===== The primary purpose of a textbook is to serve as a core component of magical education. They are the main source of theoretical knowledge, containing everything from [[potion]] recipes and [[incantations]] for [[spells]] to historical accounts and analyses of magical creatures. At [[Hogwarts]], students receive a list of required textbooks with their acceptance and end-of-year letters. These books are typically purchased from [[Flourish and Blotts]] in [[Diagon Alley]]. Students often purchase second-hand copies to save money, a common practice for the [[Weasley family]]. These used copies sometimes contain helpful annotations from previous owners, the most notable example being the [[Half-Blood Prince]]'s copy of //Advanced Potion-Making//. Beyond simple study, some textbooks can be dangerous in their own right. //The Monster Book of Monsters// had to be physically subdued, while books on the [[Dark Arts]] contain knowledge that is powerful and corrupting. =====History===== The history of textbooks is intrinsically linked to the history of magical education. Long-standing, authoritative texts like [[Bathilda Bagshot]]'s //[[A History of Magic]]// and [[Miranda Goshawk]]'s //The Standard Book of Spells// series have been used at [[Hogwarts]] for generations, forming the backbone of the curriculum. The selection of textbooks can also be a point of contention and reflect the political climate. During [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s tenure as [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] professor, the [[Ministry of Magic]] mandated the use of a purely theoretical textbook, //Defensive Magical Theory// by [[Wilbert Slinkhard]], to prevent students from learning practical defensive magic. This move was a direct response to [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s warnings about the return of [[Lord Voldemort]]. The replacement of a practical curriculum with a theoretical one demonstrates how textbooks can be used as tools of control. =====Role in the Story===== Several specific textbooks play crucial roles in the narrative of the series: * //**Advanced Potion-Making**//: In his sixth year, [[Harry Potter]] uses a second-hand copy of this textbook that once belonged to the [[Half-Blood Prince]] ([[Severus Snape]]). The Prince's handwritten annotations allow Harry to excel in [[Potions]], but also teach him the dark [[spell]] [[Sectumsempra]], which has devastating consequences. * //**The Monster Book of Monsters**//: Assigned by [[Hagrid]] for his first [[Care of Magical Creatures]] class, this aggressive book provides a source of both trouble and comic relief for third-year students. It perfectly illustrates [[Hagrid]]'s skewed perception of what is considered dangerous. * //**Secrets of the Darkest Art**//: A book detailing the creation and destruction of [[Horcruxes]]. [[Hermione Granger]] summons it from [[Dumbledore]]'s office after his death. The information within is indispensable to Harry, Ron, and Hermione's quest to defeat [[Voldemort]]. * //**A History of Magic**//: Written by [[Bathilda Bagshot]], this book is a constant source of background information for [[Hermione Granger]]. Its author later becomes a key figure when the trio travels to [[Godric's Hollow]] in search of information about [[Dumbledore]] and [[Voldemort]]. * **[[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s Bibliography:** The entire required reading list for [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] in Harry's second year consists of autobiographical works by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]. These books serve to highlight his extreme vanity and are later revealed to be based on the stolen accomplishments of other wizards. * //**Defensive Magical Theory**//: The Ministry-approved textbook enforced by [[Dolores Umbridge]]. Its focus on theory over practice directly leads to the formation of [[Dumbledore's Army]], as students seek proper defensive training elsewhere. =====Behind the Scenes===== * J.K. Rowling has written and published real-world versions of several textbooks mentioned in the series, including //[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]// and //[[Quidditch Through the Ages]]//, with proceeds going to charity. * The Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website has expanded on wizarding publishing, introducing names of publishing houses like Obscurus Books, which published //Fantastic Beasts// in the wizarding world. (Pottermore) * In the film adaptations, the magical nature of textbooks is often visually emphasized. For example, the cover of //The Monster Book of Monsters// is fully animated and aggressive. (film)
