Did you know that, according to director Chris Columbus, Robin Williams improvised so much during the filming of Mrs. Doubtfire that the studio had enough footage to release PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17 versions of the movie? Or that Robin ad-libbed all his lines in Good Morning, Vietnam because the DJ the movie was based on didn’t really do comedy during his shows?Robin Williams, American Master looks at Robin’s seventy movies, from his earliest appearance in...

Fascinating facts, trivia, and little-known details about the Master of the Macabre's life from the "world's leading authority on Stephen King" ( Entertainment Weekly).New York Times–bestselling author Stephen Spignesi has compiled interviews, essays, and loads of facts and details about all of Stephen King's work into this fun and informative compendium for the author's many fans, from the casual to the fanatical!Did you know. . . ?

From George Washington to Barack Obama, this collection of weird and wild—but true!—facts will show you a whole other side of our nation’s leaders:• Andrew Jackson was married to a bigamist.• Martin Van Buren wore pistols in the Senate chamber in case things got too rowdy.• Franklin Pierce ran over a woman with his horse while in office and was arrested, but was released when the police realized he was the president.• James Garfield could simultaneously write G...

Weirdness abounds in this unprecedented compilation of peculiar facts, including forms of divination, bizarre tortures, invasive medical tests, celebrity UFO sightings, crucified saviors other than Jesus, banned books, elements of a near death experience, curious tourist attractions, ridiculous sex laws, and much more.Dr. Bizarro’s Eclectic Collection of Strange and Obscure Facts is a fascinating and irresistible compendium of bizarre info and trivia that will engage and s...

A comprehensive guide to all of Robin Williams's movies, with facts about plots, performances, and cast, as well as notable trivia and behind-the-scenes details about each film.Did you know that, according to director Chris Columbus, Robin Williams improvised so much during the filming of Mrs. Doubtfire that the studio had enough footage to release PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17 versions of the movie? Or that Robin ad-libbed all his lines in Good Morning, Vie...

Today more than ever, series finales have become cultural touchstones that feed watercooler fodder and Twitter storms among a committed community of viewers. While the final episodes of The Fugitive and M*A*S*H continue to rank among the highest rated broadcasts, more recent shows draw legions of binge-watching fans. Given the importance of finales to viewers and critics alike, Howard and Bianculli along with the other contributors explore these endings and what they mean to the audience, ...

Elton John: Fifty Years On looks at the impact songwriting partners Elton John and Bernie Taupin have had on popular music and culture, and also discusses every song on all thirty albums, plus his work on Broadway, in movies, and elsewhere.Part 1 is a bullet-pointed look at every released song, complete with insights, trivia, and meanings, including musical insights—like Elton’s favorite chord progressions, or the most notable melodies in his discography.Pa...

In this electrifying debut, Stephen Spignesi reinvents the psychological thriller with a chilling tale of mounting intensity. Ingeniously crafted and crackling with suspense, here is a puzzle within a puzzle, at the center of which stands a hauntingly enigmatic young woman whose story will challenge everything you think you know....Six people have been murdered in the animal shelter in which they worked. One unlikely woman stands accused of the crimes. Her name is Victoria Troy, an...

Call them Native Americans, American Indians, indigenous peoples, or first nations—a vast and diverse array of nations, tribes, and cultures populated every corner of North America long before Columbus arrived. Native American History For Dummies reveals what is known about their pre-Columbian history and shows how their presence, customs, and beliefs influenced everything that was to follow.This straightforward guide breaks down their ten-thousand-plus year history and ex...

Which Song is the Best and Why? Read it and see!Organized by rank, from 1 to 100, this illustrated celebration of the best songs by the boys who revolutionized rock-and-roll includes expert commentary, historical context, interview material, and lots of great sidebars (including "best" lists from some of today's pop music powerhouses.) Like all "best of" lists, the book's opinionated stance generates animated discussion.Here, There, and Everywhere is profusely illustrated wit...

From James Rees, Executive Director of Mount Vernon, comes anenlightening guide to the leadership wisdom of America's first great leader. George Washington was more than just an inspiring battlefield commander; he was critical to the founding and success of the United States ofAmerica. His leadership, his vision, and his courage united a war-torncountry and set the United States on the path to greatness. Washington's historic contribution to this nation--his leadership and his character--a...

Call them Native Americans, American Indians, indigenous peoples, or first nations — a vast and diverse array of nations, tribes, and cultures populated every corner of North America long before Columbus arrived. Native American History For Dummies reveals what is known about their pre-Columbian history and shows how their presence, customs, and beliefs influenced everything that was to follow.This straightforward guide breaks down their ten-thousand-plus year history and ...