Myth meets reality in this one-of-a-kind book that could only come from everyone’s favorite folk hero—Uncle John! The ancient Greeks had Zeus; today we have the Burger King…king. In Modern Mythology, you’ll meet the world’s most fascinating heroes, villains, and corporate spokesthingies. Featuring Bathroom Reader classics plus a few new treasures, you’ll discover truths and untruths, and learn the real stories behind some of today’s tallest tales. So sit back and let Uncle John take you on an epic journey of modern make-believe! Immerse yourself in… • Gnomes in the gnews • The Whopperknocker, Whirling Whumpus, and other cousins of Sasquatch • Ronald McDonald’s relentless rise to the top • On tour with Paul Bunyan • 5 Movies that mythed the point • Who was Kilroy, and why was he here? • Common misconceptions that refuse to go away • Urban Legends that turned out to be true • The secret of the Loch Ness Monster finally explained …and much, much more!

It's time to "go with the flow" once again with the second smash Bathroom Reader. This new compendium of stories, anecdotes, rumors, proverbs, and other bathroom reading is divided into Short, Medium and Long, enabling each reader to choose the amount of time he wishes to remain on the throne.

Uncle John is heeding the call of nature! So pack a rucksack, and let’s head outside! It’s a wild world out there, and the folks at the BRI want to explore it with you. From hornywinks to Dracula orchids, from alluvium to zymogen, Uncle John is embarking on a back-country safari to track down the wackiest, weirdest, silliest, and most amazing stories about the natural world. It’s 448 wild pages of great outdoor facts, strange stories, incredible science, and fun quotes and quizzes. You’ll feel the fresh mountain air energize you as you read about… * An ape that fries burgers and a lizard that plays video games * The explosive history of America’s deepest (and bluest) lake * The search for the mysterious rhinoceros dolphin * How to distinguish a mushroom from a toadstool * Cats vs. birds: the Feline-Avian War * A waterfall that turns toys to stone * The history of dirt And much, much more!

Why is our lucky 13th edition All-Purpose? Uncle John himself explains: “You can read this Bathroom Reader anywhere—in the obvious spot, in bed or, heck, by the pool or at work.” Why Extra-Strength? “Because of the mountains of research gathered, you can guess where, by our crackpot…I mean hotshot…staff.” Yes, APES (as we affectionately call it at the BRI) is filled to the rim with more than 500 pages of amazing facts, quotes, history, myths, brain teasers, origins, celebrity gossip, and our powerful brand of “uncanny” humor. Here are 13 reasons to read this book: 1. Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of ten plus three 2. Military surplus: The story of carrot cake 3. The real-life inspiration behind Dracula 4. Going Ape: The history of Tarzan 5. People who married themselves 6. Politically incorrect toothpaste 7. Legendary business blunders 8. Hollywood’s biggest bombs 9. Wide world of weird sports 10. Dog food for thought 11. The birth of the CD 12. Dumb criminals 13. Zappa’s Law And much, much more!

Uncle John’s all-new 8th edition is packed with everything that Bathroom Reader fans have come to expect from this stellar series—short, medium, and long articles covering a whole host of topics—everything from dumb crooks to funny quotes to forgotten history. Read about… * Ice cream origins * Olympic cheaters * Celebrity mummies * The first Thanksgiving * Groucho’s wit and wisdom * Weird tales of the Ouija board * The creation of Frankenstein’s monster * “Earring Magic Ken” and other weird dolls And much, much more!

Uncle John is back with the 36th annual Bathroom Reader, an all-new collection of entertaining articles that explore the weird and wonderful world we live in. In this 36th edition of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader, longtime fans and new readers alike will be astounded by a treasure trove of wonderfully weird (and true!) stories that explore the realms of pop culture, history, sports, science, and everyday folks, including the always popular misadventures of dumb crooks. Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute have reached into all corners of the world to bring you this all-new collection of entertaining and informative articles that include short reads for a quick trip to the throne room as well as longer page-turners for when you take an extended visit. You’ll also find a plethora of amusing lists, odd factoids, quotes, and quizzes that will tickle every trivia enthusiast’s fancy.

Find out what millions of trivia lovers already know: Uncle John is your #1 source when it comes to throne-room reading entertainment. This book celebrates the very best articles from the BRI’s first ten years--plus 150 all-new pages! As always, the contents are divided by length: short articles for the reader on the go, medium articles if you have a few minutes to spare, and the extended sitting section for those truly leg-numbing experiences. Read about . . . * The origin of Twinkies * Who invented the Hula Hoop * The untold history of the Three Stooges * Space toilets: where no man has gone before * 1876: the year they stole the presidency * The FBI’s "Ten Most Wanted" list * How to start your own country * Celebrity imposters And much, much more!

Quit horsing around! Whether you want to ride ’em, race ’em, or raise ’em, you’ll find everything equine in these pages. Why the long face? This book really ponies up the fun! From Old West cowboy companions to magnificent Kentucky Derby winners, Uncle John trots out a beloved tome dedicated to our equine friends. Saddle up and read about the most hair-raising, hilarious, and heartfelt horse tales from around the world. You’ll ride into the sunset with… * The high-stepping Budweiser Clydesdales * The secrets of Secretariat and other Triple Crown winners * Horse-tastic superlatives--the biggest, smallest, oldest, and fastest * Equine myths exposed (such as, Seabiscuit wasn’t really that famous) * Pressing equine questions (Just how big is a hand, anyway?) * The wild ponies of Chincoteague * What it takes to be a jockey * The real horse whisperer * The Texas prison rodeo * Strange horsey laws And much, much more!

Our first all-new edition to top 500 pages, this was the Bathroom Reader that made the publishing world stand up and take notice—these guys are here to stay. Also appearing for the first time in Giant 10th Anniversary is our famous “Extended Sitting Section,” a series of extra-long articles for those truly leg-numbing experiences. There are also plenty of short and medium articles covering a whole host of topics, including little-known history, pop science, myth-conceptions, celebrity rumors, comedian quotes, and, of course, really dumb crooks. Read about… * The anatomy of laughter * Is your name your destiny? * The history of the electric guitar * What really happened at Roswell * The Politically Correct quiz * The secret of Nancy Drew * Legendary TV flops * Why you itch And much, much more!

Uncle John is back with another spectacular show—and it’s right here in front of you! Uncle John’s Greatest Know on Earth Bathroom Reader is bursting with the latest oohs and aahs from the worlds of pop culture, history, sports, and politics. Dazzling facts, jaw-dropping blunders, and astounding lists of trivia will make your visits to the throne room more entertaining than ever. Articles range in length from a single page to extended page-turners, so there’s always something to suit your needs. With Uncle John as the ringmaster for the 33rd straight edition, this Bathroom Reader is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!