Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first novel in the Harry Potter series written by J. K. Rowling. The book was first published on 26 June 1997 by Bloomsbury in London and was later made into a film of the same name.

The book was released in the United States under the name Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because the publishers were concerned that most American readers would not be familiar enough with the term „Philosopher’s Stone”. However, this decision led to criticism by the British public who felt it shouldn’t be changed due to the fact it was an English book.

Book description

„Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a half-giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys: his horrible aunt and uncle and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny Cupboard Under the Stairs, he hasn’t had a birthday party in ten years, and his birthday present is his uncle’s old socks.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger. A letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him… if Harry can survive the encounter.”

„Until now there’s been no magic for Harry Potter. He lives with the miserable Dursleys and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny closet beneath the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in ten years. Then a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger. A letter with an invitation to an incredible place called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he finds not only friends, flying sports on broomsticks, and magic in everything from classes to meals.

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy – until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch, and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason, Harry Potter is a wizard!”