Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince cassettes 4 side B-12 of 12

It's rather hard to comment on the last 2/3 of the book because it's basically the opening section of book seven. My copy is currently on its way from Ontario hopefully to arrive on Wednesday. The pace and plot are quite a bit tighter than book five. Some of the relationship stuff strikes me as a little forced but that's okay. I'm quite excited about seven. This basically concludes the Great Harry Potter Reread. I've enjoyed doing it and hope somebody found it useful.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince cassettes 1,2,3,and 4 side A of 12

Harry has just discovered that the Half-Blood Prince wrote the notations in his textbook. I like this one much better than number five. I get the impression she enjoyed writing it more. The scene with the prime minister was particularly well done. Especially the part about how no one would believe him if he told. I also quite enjoyed Hermione's reaction to Harry's success with the potion.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix cassettes 11,12,13,14,15,16 and 17 of 17

Much of these tapes come off as filler for some reason. Originally I didn't care much for the ending of the book but I feel better about it now. I was probably half-asleep the last time I read it. The battle in the ministry drove me nuts. Since apparently Harry and CO. would almost never attack first. They would also seemingly forget useful charms then remember them a few minutes later. For some reason I don't particularly believe Harry's meltdown at the end of the book shock would be more probable. So on to book six the end is in sight.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix cassettes 7,8, 9 and 10 of 17

At the end of the cassettes Harry has just experienced Voldemort's extreme joy. The whole Harry Potter and the overactive hormones is played up a little too much in this section. Funny how the other teenagers for the most part are able to actually think rationally occasionally. I did quite enjoy the time spent in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix cassettes 5 and 6 of 17

At the end of these cassettes it has been suggested to Harry that he should start training the other students. I really don't like the torture in the book. It seems gratuitous particularly considering the audience this is being aimed at. We are well aware that Umbridge is evil we don't need this on top of all the other hints. Harry's inability to shut up is played a little too much.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix cassettes 1,2,3 and 4 of 17

At the end of this cassette Harry is just starting to realize that there are those at the school who don't believe him. This is the darkest of the books the pacing is also much slower. I get the impression she wasn't enjoying writing this as much as the others. It's actually my least favorite for reasons which will soon become apparent.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Ffire cassettes 9,10,11 and 12 of 12

This is where the big transition takes place. Where before the school stuff tends to be at the forefront of the story from now on its mostly about the need to destroy Voldemort. The series also gets very dark from this point on. The last challenge almost seems rather rushed unfortunately the different tasks were quite interesting. Somewhat of a throwback to the first book.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Ffire cassettes 7 and 8 of 12

At the end of this cassette Harry is swimming in the Lake. The ball with its interlocking storylines is a very nice piece of writing. A lot of information crammed into that section. I'm really beginning to think the library isn't terribly useful. Seems bizarre they wouldn't be able to find any references to the proper plant.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Ffire cassettes 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 of 12

Life unfortunately got in a way of writing an update for each cassette. At the end of cassette 6 they are currently in the kitchens. As noted earlier there is an ongoing theme throughout the series about media and how they can be less than accurate about things. The House Elf issue seems slightly surprising particularly the attitude of most of the characters towards it. Not very politically correct which is maybe the point. If dragons are illegal in UK how much paperwork did they have to do to get clearance?

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban cassettes 6 and 7 of 7

I'm now done the third book in the series. I did find the discussion of hindsight rather profound. I'm a historian after all. Using hindsight to criticize decisions is one of the classic modes of historical analysis. The scenes in the Shrieking Shack are probably some of the best so far in my opinion. The combination of twists and turns with the interplay between the characters is wonderful.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban cassettes 3, 4 and 5 of 7

The appeal is just about to take place at the end of the fifth cassette. I'm always impressed about the number of red herrings in these books. Even after we find out the truth it still makes sense what the characters originally thought knowing what they did. Funny how there's no red card/game misconduct in Quidditch.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban cassettes 1 and 2 of 7

Cassette 2 ends with the potions class involving the shrinking potion. Harry is being particularly headstrong in this opening section. The whole idea of running away at this point even though it sounds like much worse was done to him over time seems a little contrived. The whole opening section before going back to school seems off somehow. I can't really explain it.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cassette 6 of 6

I like the ending of the book but I'm a little confused about something. I don't understand why it would discredit the protection act. It would be rather ironic for her to be charged under it but it wouldn't cause the act to be dismantled.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cassette 5 of 6

The teachers meeting just concluded. I quite enjoy how they dealt with Lockhart. Rowling has always been particularly good at creating red herrings but the business with Hagrid isn't up to her usual standards. We don't consider it to be credible that he was responsible. Harry has either the best or worst luck imaginable he's always in the middle of the action no matter what. I hadn't realized just how many coincidences have to take place .

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cassette 4 of 6

At the end of this cassette Harry was just starting to experience Tom's memory of the last time the chamber was opened. Seems odd that presumably Tom would have been able to include memorys he chose in the diary. Why include material that cast doubt on the genuineness of his claims? Seems rather strange.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cassette 3 of 6

Dumbledore has just said that the Chamber of Secrets is open. This is in the hospital wing. Harry overhears while recovering from Lockhart's incompetence. It seems rather strange that Madam Hooch would not have noticed the rogue bludger. Significant somehow?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cassette 2 of 6

Harry has just heard the disembodied voice while addressing fan mail for Professor Lockhart. It's funny how besides the reference to the newspapers and the angry howler there isn't much mentioned of the chaos and nuisance caused by the flying car. So did all the food in Ron's stomach turn into slugs? Some sort of Transfiguration spell?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets cassette 1 of 6

At the end of this cassette the confrontation in the bookstore between the Malfoys and Weasleys is just concluding. At this point we've just been introduced to Gilderoy Lockhart. This starts off one of the rather interesting subplots in the rest of the series that is the cult of celebrity and media manipulation. Considering Rowling's own reluctance as far as media access goes it does make sense.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone cassette 6 of 6

I had forgotten how much the last series of challenges came off like a problem-solving exam. I find it funny that for the poison question Hermione is impressed because it's a logic question not a magical one but then doesn't actually show her work. She just figures it out to herself without explaining to Harry and us how it's done.

I've jumped straight into book two and am already about halfway through the first cassette. Should be up later today.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone cassette 5 of 6

At the end of this cassette Harry just discovered that Voldemort is trying to come back. Considering this blog is entitled Strategist's Personal Library a note on operational security. No matter how good your mission went giving up camouflage is spectacularly stupid. For that matter leaving actionable intelligence in a place where others could find it is also stupid. And yes it's happened in the real world just ask Robert E. Lee the Maryland invasion was compromised through his Special Orders No. 191 being left with some cigars. This led to the northern victory at Antietam.