Dumbledore: The Life and Lies of Hogwarts's Renowned Headmaster: An Unofficial Exploration

by Irvin Khaytman

Overview

A brilliant investigation into the motivations and methods behind the actions of Hogwarts's renowned Headmaster!

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, is one of the most recognizable and mysterious figures in the Harry Potter series. As an unscrupulous beetle-like journalist once said, he's "a biographer's dream." Is he omniscient or limited? Is he benevolent or malevolent? What really drove him in the last years of an extraordinary life?

Dumbledore dives between the lines of the Harry Potter books to create a portrait of the controversial Headmaster. We find Dumbledore's hand in every seeming coincidence, and consider the impossible decisions he had to make. This in-depth examination from author Irvin Khaytman casts the events of the Harry Potter series in a whole new light, resolving fans' questions that linger to this day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948174787
Publisher:	Media Lab Books
Publication date:	10/12/2021
Series:	The Unofficial Harry Potter Character Series
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	131,141
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	10 - 18 Years

About the Author

Irvin Khaytman is a walking Harry Potter encyclopedia from New York City, where he does taxes by day and all things geeky by night. He has been writing and publishing essays about Harry Potter since 2007 and became a columnist at MuggleNet, the world's most popular Harry Potter fansite, in 2011. In the last few years, he has also been a regular contributor to Hypable. When not reading or discussing books, Irvin can be found dancing to wizard rock or planning costumes for conventions. He identifies as a Ravenpuff.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Albus Dumbledore and the Sorcerer's Stone 12

Chapter 2 Albus Dumbledore and the Chamber of Secrets 33

Chapter 3 Albus Dumbledore and the Prisoner of Azkaban 46

Chapter 4 Albus Dumbledore and the Goblet of Fire 69

Chapter 5 Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix 87

Chapter 6 Albus Dumbledore and the Half-Blood Prince 111

Chapter 7 Albus Dumbledore and the Deathly Hallows 165

Epilogue 174

Appendix A Headmasters Through the Ages 178

Appendix B Hidden Potters and Where to Find Them 181

Appendix C Albus Dumbledore and the Tale of Beedle the Bard 188

Bibliography 196

Acknowledgments 211

About the Author 215

Editorial Reviews

"Even readers on their own 14th rereads of the series will find new insights to ponder."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Dumbledore: greatest of teachers or Machiavellian schemer? Irvin Khaytman reconciles these aspects of the character through an investigation of Dumbledore's final years, particularly his last great project: the race to identify and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes…. if your understanding of love, death, and goodness have been influenced by these stories—if you're part of the Harry Potter generation—then this book is for you."
—Lorrie Kim, author of SNAPE: A Definitive Reading


"An engaging, in-depth, comprehensive and unique examination of one of J.K. Rowling's most enigmatic stars. Its premise and execution has the polish and power of an academic dissertation while being an extremely accessible, enjoyable read. This book is an impetus to engage further with a dynamic, enthusiastic global community who knows that books and love are the most powerful magic of all."
—Leanna Renee Hieber author of Darker Still


“I’d like to venture this might be the most fun you’ll ever have reading a book of critical essays. Like Dumbledore himself, this book is both insightful and delightful and written with an abundance of charm, intelligence and a great deal of love for Harry Potter. I’ve reread the HP series probably around a dozen times, and this presented me with theories I have never considered before.”
—Sarvenaz Tash, author of The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love


"Every Harry Potter fan who reads and re-reads the books is left with a sense that there's a lot more to the saga than can be found on the page. No worries, leave it to Irvin Khaytman… to present this carefully researched and brilliantly written walk through all seven novels, laying out a very plausible scenario for what Dumbledore knew and when. The book is a must-read for any serious Harry Potter fan."
—Steve Vander Ark, The Harry Potter Lexicon, In Search of Harry Potter


"Between his deep understanding of the Harry Potter series and his excellent writing skills, Irvin's The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore is a must-read for Harry Potter fans who can't get enough of the Wizarding World. The book impressively explores the most fascinating character in the series and gives fans a lot to think about. Get ready to see Dumbledore in a whole new light."
—Andrew Sims, Hypable MuggleCast


“Irvin Khaytman provides a thorough analysis of Albus Dumbledore’s history, intentions, and plans throughout the series. The reading will make you want to reread the series again and allow you to feel a sense of connection with the characters.”
—Janina Scarlet, author of Harry Potter Therapy: An Unauthorized Self-Help Book from the Restricted Section


"Potterheads rejoice! Longtime Harry Potter fan Irvin Khaytman has provided a deep investigation of all things Albus Dumbledore in his new book… The intense scrutiny provided here helps us see the entirety of Dumbledore's character. Khaytman pays Dumbledore the greatest compliment of all: the proof that he was human after all."
—Cathy Leogrande, Associate Professor of Education, Le Moyne College

From the Publisher

2021-09-15
Albus Dumbledore: saintly mentor and protector of young wizards or ruthless Machiavellian manipulator?

In this edition of a previously self-published collection of essays gathered from his columns on the fan website MuggleNet, Khaytman spins hints in the texts and purely speculative notions together into a broad view of what Hogwarts’ headmaster knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it in his campaign to quash He Who Must Not Be Named. Even though he opens with a key to the jargon, readers who can’t keep SS (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) separate from QA (Quidditch Through the Ages) or easily distinguish Quirrellmort from Cupcrux will struggle to keep up as he minutely analyzes Dumbledore’s influence in events through each of the seven original HPs in turn. Khaytman writes that he reread the series 14 times but freely acknowledges ideas contributed by fellow fan critics both as he goes and, in greater detail, in an annotated bibliography. In the end, though, some of what Dumbledore did—or what he surmises Dumbledore must have done—creates a dilemma for readers, and the author ultimately leaves him, for all his scheming ways and imperfections, on the side of the angels. Dumbledore’s sexuality does not come up nor, aside from a reference drawn from DH to his character’s being “white as his beard,” does his race. Three appendices further explore the canon.

Even readers on their own 14th rereads of the series will find new insights to ponder. (Literary criticism. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews