We’ve assembled a crackpot team of Ohio investigators to comb the countryside, explore the cities, and uncover the history, trivia, and fun facts that make the Buckeye State such a unique and special place. Read about… * Ohio firsts * John Glenn, Johnny Appleseed, and other famous Ohioans * Cleveland rocks! * From Ada to Youngstown: a crossword puzzle * The pride of the Buckeyes * The Wright sister’s role in history * Akron’s All-American Soap Box Derby! * Wacky Ohio And much, much more!
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!
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
The ultimate guide to Michigan, all the way from Yooper territory (Upper Peninsula) down to Loper land (Lower Peninsula). What do Yoopers and Trolls have in common? Not much to hear them tell it, but both types of Michigander appreciate great bathroom reading. And they’re proud to call Michigan home! Celebrate the state that brought us Motown, Henry Ford, and the world’s only floating post office. So no matter which peninsula you call home, get ready for a funny, unforgettable visit. Read about… Feather bowling Shipwrecked in Paradise Go to Hell and back in Hell, Michigan Michigan’s other famous Ford: a president named Gerald The Red Flannel Festival, and other ways Michiganders brave the winter How a 1966 Michigan State University game changed football forever Michigan’s role in the birth of rock ’n’ roll Test your knowledge of the Great Lakes Detroit’s Whiskey River Smelt dipping 101 And much, much more!
California here we come! Uncle John is taking the plunge into the land of freeways, fun, cable cars, and movie stars. From Hollywood to the redwoods, from Death Valley to Napa Valley, this amazing book is your golden gate to the Golden State! You'll discover obscure history, learn fascinating facts, and meet the unique people who make California a place like no other on Earth! Read about… * The day Fullerton was invaded by Superballs * Vasquez Rocks and the scores of movies filmed there * Tahoe Tessie, the Lizard People of L.A., and other California creatures * Hidden secrets of the world's tallest trees * Playing baseball at San Quentin * California’s first hippie And much, much more!
An entertaining trivia compendium flush with fun facts about all things science. Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges into the Universe is your anecdote to boring science textbooks. Uncle John and his loony lab partners will take you back to the Big Bang and forward to the distant future. You’ll see the science in everything around (and inside) you, and learn the truth about the most egregious science myths (such as—you can’t “sweat like a pig” because pigs don’t sweat). How many amazing facts await your visual cortex in these 494 pages made up of atoms (print version) or bits and bytes (e-book)? As Carl Sagan would have said, “Billions and Billions!” So put on your thinking cap and check out: · Pluto denied · Kitchen chemistry · Football gets physics-al · Planet Earth’s sudden hot flashes · Food’s incredible journey . . .through you · The science of surfing, skating, and snowboarding · How they plugged the hole in the ozone layer · How “defenseless” animals stay alive · Sci-fi that’s more fi than sci · Ancient astronomers · Know your clouds And much, much more
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!
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!
Experience New Jersey as you never have before, in this historical, hysterical guide to the Garden State. You from Jersey? What exit? Go ahead and laugh. But watch it, New Jersey is home to legendary tough guys like Tony Soprano and Frank Sinatra, and no one knows for sure if Jimmy Hoffa’s buried in the Meadowlands Stadium. Though many believe ‘New Jersey culture’ is an oxymoron, something conjured up while inhaling the fumes on the Turnpike, your Uncle John, a connoisseur of the Garden State, is out to prove them wrong. Take the plunge into N.J., and see why it’s like nowhere else - from Springsteen’s Asbury Park and Trump’s Atlantic City to the ivy walls of Princeton and the tidy townships to the west.
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!
