Private Lives Curious Facts about the Famous and Infamous

Did you know that Walt Disney never drew Mickey Mouse, that Florence Nightingale owned 60, that Cervantes had only one arm, or that Elizabeth I drank beer for breakfast? Or then again, that George Washington had wooden teeth, Rossetti kept a pet wombat, Wordsworth and Hemingway never wrote at a desk (while Proust worked in bed)? Most biographical dictionaries merely list a subject's date of birth, brief life history and major achievements and never give any idea of what he or she was like as a human being. Private Lives, by contrast, sets out to give the full picture. Fascinating and entertaining, this book is essential reading for those who want to know all the tiny details of the private lives of famous people. -- From Alexander the Great to Emile Zola, this dictionary covers a cross-section of people throughout history -- Over 200 entries -- An entertaining read as well as an invaluable reference source -- Perfect for browsing or reading from cover to cover