selecting from multiple tables

selecting from multiple tables

I am trying to select all rows from multiple tables(20 tables) but it
isn't working for me, can some show me to select the first two? The tables
have duplicate column names if that matters. I have read the manual and it
says I can use JOIN but I couldn't get it.
What I tried:
stmt = $mysqli->prepare("SELECT * FROM table1, table2 where firstname LIKE
? ORDER BY id desc");
stmt->bind_param('s', $fname);
stmt->execute();