Throughout the Harry Potter series, the two boring books that no one but super-studious Hermione Granger can bear to look at are Hogwarts: A History and A History of Magic. The History of Magic teacher at the school is not just boring; he's dead -- a ghost.
Later update: t'other hand, it has to be noted that all Harry's struggles are one he has inherited from his history, and historical understanding provides the solution to most of the wizarding world's problems.
The new one is a very good book, btw. JK Rowling is a genius.
