Uncle John's Plunges into California


Book Description

California here we come! Uncle John is taking a full-color plunge into the land of freeways, fun in the sun, cable cars, and movie stars. From the redwood forest to the Mexican border, the Pacific coastline to the Mojave Desert, California is the most populous state in the Union and the eighth-largest economy in the world. And what better way to honor America’s most influential state than by devoting an entire Technicolor compendium to the cause? Inside this book, readers will discover obscure history, learn fascinating facts, and meet the unique people who make California so great. So grab your sunglasses, hold on to your gold-miner’s hat, and plunge into the Golden State!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into New York


Book Description

Uncle John loves New York, so he's taking the plunge…into the land of bagels, bluebirds, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Start spreading the news. You’re reading today. You’re going to be a part of it--New York, New Yooooork! In this ode to the greatest place on Earth, Uncle John takes you through Ellis Island and down the Hudson to bring you the tome about New York that could only come from the Bathroom Readers’ Institute. Find out why the Empire State is the Big Apple of the world’s eye as you read about… * Manhattanhenge * The Big Apple on $0 a day * Heroes and horses of the NYPD * Fran Lee: the Pooper Scooper Lady * The extraordinary evolution of the Bronx River * Incredible finds…in the city’s sewers * How New Jersey lost Staten Island * Charlie Dickens disses New York * The alien hunters of Pine Bush * Big Apple bird watching * Upstate utopias And much, much more!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into the Presidency


Book Description

Three cheers for the red, white, and bloopers . . . A US treasury of gaffes, goofs, and weird White House trivia! If they advertised the job opening for President of the United States, the ad would be pretty short. The only basic requirements are to be a natural-born American citizen and at least thirty-five years old. Now you can learn about some of the successful applicants in this special “Chief Executive” edition of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader! We’ve dug up the most compelling and confounding dirt . . . er . . . statistics on these otherwise ordinary men who achieved great power. Which ones used it wisely? Which ones squandered it? And which ones would have rather been fishing? You’ll get an up-close and personal look at each Oval Officer. From the birth of the country to modern-day yuks, Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges into the Presidency is packed with more than 300 pages of amusing anecdotes, little-known history, fun quizzes, and more! Read about . . . * Ford’s famous fall and other presidential gaffes * White House ghosts * Homer Simpson takes on the presidency * Ails of the chiefs * Was President Buchanan gay? * Chief Executive Culinary Delights * Mr. President at the bat * Prezzy lols (“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” —Abraham Lincoln) and much, much more!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into Hollywood


Book Description

Take One. Action! Uncle John's Plunges into Hollywood uncovers Tinseltown's best-kept secrets--from murder mysteries Hollywood style to leading lady rivalries. Hooray for Hollywood! Uncle John takes on Tinseltown in this fascinating look at the movies and the people who make them. Come for the trials, tribulations, and trivia! Stay for the mysteries, magic, and mayhem! You’ll go behind the scenes for the sordid scandals, biggest bombs, greatest triumphs, and the unsung heroes who make it all come together. Featuring quotes, puzzles, quizzes, and Uncle John’s famous “running feet” facts at the bottom of every page, this book will give you a new appreciation for the Silver Screen (and you’ll know exactly what a gaffer and best boy do). What else is in here? Check out these previews! * Bad boys on location * The origin of Variety * The biggest cult movie of all time * The “Blond Bombshell Murder Mystery” * How Ray Harryhausen brought fantasies to life * Wretched reviews (for what are now considered great films) * The strange Pink Floyd and Wizard of Oz connection * The “Taglines of Terror” quiz * Bathrooms on the big screen * Unfortunate remakes * Haunted Hollywood And much, much more!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into Music


Book Description

An entertaining trivia compendium flush with fun facts about all things music. From boogie-woogie to Beethoven, from Prince to Pavarotti, from the bards of Broadway to the rebels of rock ’n’ roll—it’s all here. Uncle John has created this harmonious collection of tuneful tales for music lovers everywhere. Uncle John has proven once again that he is in tune with our legion of loyal readers. This 516-page musical masterpiece dedicated to all things noteworthy ranges from silly one-hit wonders to culture-changing musical milestones. You’ll get a glimpse into the future of music and go back to the days when prehistoric man first started communicating in song. So, plug in your amp, turn the dial up to eleven, and have a blast reading about: · The origins of nearly every genre and style of music—including rock, country, jazz, the blues, rhythm-and-blues, hip hop, punk, folk, polka, opera, Muzak, disco, and even marching bands · Musical legends, from “outsiders” like the Shaggs and the Carter family, to giants like the Beatles, Elvis, and Weird Al Yankovic · The stories of legendary music venues like the Grand Ole Opry, the Apollo, and the Fillmore · How a computer glitch led to Right Said Fred’s 1991 hit “I’m Too Sexy” · Why waltzing was considered as scandalous in its early days as rock was in its early days · The birth of the banjo, the electric guitar, karaoke, and the Stradivarius violin · How John Williams struck a universal chord with his score for Star Wars · Go underground to play the world’s largest natural musical instrument · What happened at Woodstock and other weird concert mishaps And much, much more




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into Great Lives


Book Description

Look beneath the surface of the world’s most interesting people--past and present--to uncover what makes them tick. Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges into Great Lives looks beneath the surface and uncovers fascinating but little-known stories behind the famous, the near-famous, the infamous, and the should-have-been famous. You’ll meet child prodigies, spies, traitors, celebrities (and sidekicks), gossips, hermits, humanitarians, and zealots. There are incredible stories here, and every one is true. Sit back and prepare to be amazed when you read about: * America’s first prima ballerina * The man who invented tap dancing * Stephen Hawking and his ongoing quest for love * Vidal Sassoon: hairdresser by day, freedom-fighter by night * Sex therapist Dr. Ruth’s early years as an Israeli soldier * The other Boleyn girl in Henry VIII’s bed * The nerd who changed the world * Six degrees of Kevin Bacon And much, much more!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into History Again


Book Description

History repeats itself as Uncle John presents another volume of funny stories and fascinating facts about the past! For our historical trivia collection number two, we dug ever deeper into our bottomless vaults to bring you more of history’s most colorful characters, cultural milestones, funniest mishaps, and earth-shattering events. More than 500 pages of great stories, fascinating facts, and fun quizzes await you. Read about . . . * Philosophers who fought with fireplace pokers * “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!” * Where are they now—the Goths * The golden age of wife-selling * History’s most horrible dentist award * The French monks who invented tennis * What William the Conqueror was called before he conquered * Where are they now—the Neanderthals * Women of the Gold Rush * and much, much more!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into National Parks


Book Description

Join Uncle John as he treks through every one of America’s National Parks! If you like the great outdoors, you’re going to love this book. We’re plunging into every national park, monument, site, and trail (more than 150 in all!) in true Uncle John fashion and uncovering some unique stories behind all of them. You’re sure to find hidden facets of each national park that you never imagined. Read about... * Yosemite’s firefall and why it came to a sudden end * How to avoid bear attacks, buffalo stampedes, and moose on the loose * Ghosts, legends, and myths in the remotest parks of the country * The wild horses of Assateague and why they still roam the island * How an isolated tree in Yosemite inspired the most famous photograph of all time And much more!




Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into History


Book Description

The trivia gurus behind the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series plumb the depths of history in this compendium of easily digestible diversions. Whether you’re a history buff, or you just like reading great stories, you’ll see the past in a whole new light after reading Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges into History. Uncle John uncovers the truth behind some of history’s most persistent myths and flushes out information you were never taught in school. Where else could you learn about the 10 most-forgotten people in history, mistakes that led to great discoveries, and how a certain fish had a hand (er, fin) in beating Napoleon? Read all about . . . The short history of underwear Odd deaths of famous figures Abe Lincoln, fashion icon The real Lady Godiva Royal inbreeds and promiscuous popes The true story of Braveheart And much more!




The Big Book of Boy Stuff


Book Description

After Bart King interviewed hundreds of the wisest guys and smartest alecks for The Big Book of Boy Stuff, something awesome happened: the book became a classic! Hailed by critics and kids alike, it has sold hundreds of thousands of copies, and even won awards. In this updated and redesigned tenth anniversary edition, hijinks and hilarity are still front and center. Within these pages, boys can find a myriad of things to do, things to laugh at, and things they didn’t know. Bart King, the veteran of many water balloon wars, taught middle school for many years. He’s written other cool books, including The Big Book of Superheroes, The Pocket Guide to Girl Stuff, and The Big Book of Gross Stuff. Visit his website at www.bartking.net.