Book excerpt: 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!