Robert Fulghum's new book begins with a question we've all asked ourselves: "What on Earth have I done?" As Fulghum finds out, the answer is...
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May 27, 2011
Jeanette
rated it: 
I have a long-standing crush on Bobby Fulghum, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. There's just something so attractive about a man who has maintained his sense of wonder and appreciation of the absurd throughout his long life.
Granted, some of his earlier books are perhaps a little more profound and entertaining than this one, but he still makes me look at the ordinary world in fresh ways after I read his little gems.
A few months ago I listened to the audio version, read by More...
Granted, some of his earlier books are perhaps a little more profound and entertaining than this one, but he still makes me look at the ordinary world in fresh ways after I read his little gems.
A few months ago I listened to the audio version, read by More...
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Aug 09, 2011
I have been a fan of Robert Fulghum and his essays ever since he published his first volume, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, in 1988. His wit and his wisdom are always entertaining and instructive.
His essays range from light-hearted to serious, and I can usually relate to the situations, the characters and their actions.
However, like many best-selling authors, maybe under pressure from his publisher, in cranking out another book, sometimes the material becomes watered down a More...
His essays range from light-hearted to serious, and I can usually relate to the situations, the characters and their actions.
However, like many best-selling authors, maybe under pressure from his publisher, in cranking out another book, sometimes the material becomes watered down a More...
Sep 01, 2010
Juliette
rated it: 
Yawn...
A book of lessons for people that have never had a moment of self-reflection in their entire lives.
This is the kind of book you find on the "Self-Help" shelf next to the magazines of your local Price Chopper.
Or at the bottom of a box of books labeled "Christian" at your local Salvation Army.
But it's neither self-help nor Christian. I don't really know what it is. Besides cheesy.
I saw this book in a bookstore once. Opened More...
A book of lessons for people that have never had a moment of self-reflection in their entire lives.
This is the kind of book you find on the "Self-Help" shelf next to the magazines of your local Price Chopper.
Or at the bottom of a box of books labeled "Christian" at your local Salvation Army.
But it's neither self-help nor Christian. I don't really know what it is. Besides cheesy.
I saw this book in a bookstore once. Opened More...
Mar 25, 2011
Marilyn
rated it: 
I'm a Fulghum junkie--have been from the start. I've reached for his books in the middle of the night and found myself crying unabashedly before the sun arose. I've chosen to miss church and bury my heathen nose in Fulghum when I just needed to do that. I've given him as gifts and most assuredly NEVER pass up his books in a thrift store where they do NOT belong. I also have "Meet Robert Fulgham" on my lifelist. I'd like to take a long river trip with him acting as camp cook or cam
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Jul 05, 2009
Rebecca
rated it: 
Didn't like all of the rambling musings. Liked: "If you do not join the dancing, you will feel foolish. If you dance, you will also feel foolish. So, why not dance?" p75 "But there aren't any Jesus jokes in the Bible. Right. That's the problem. My book would be about the missing material." p172 Nice quotes for hard times from Epictetus pp175-181 List of conversation lifeboat questions, including "What would you learn?" pp233-235 Ask people to tell you Chris
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Jun 13, 2010
Susanna
rated it:
This is a great book. Fulghum is non-pretentious in his writing and he is not afraid to show his vulnerability in many ways.
I like the way he reconnoiters the minute things in life. His experience in testing rodents' interest in shiny objects was hilarious. His boldness in admitting that he used the 'pencil snake' story to scare his three grand-children to sleep was simply endearing. His sympathy towards the dying fly on his desk and his kind act of giving the fly a proper burial le More...
I like the way he reconnoiters the minute things in life. His experience in testing rodents' interest in shiny objects was hilarious. His boldness in admitting that he used the 'pencil snake' story to scare his three grand-children to sleep was simply endearing. His sympathy towards the dying fly on his desk and his kind act of giving the fly a proper burial le More...
Jan 19, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Really excellent short stories that make you think. My favorite story made me think very differently about the children playing in the schoolyard downstairs from my apartment. They are busy with the work of learning and when I hear them it inspires me to remember how excited I was to be their age with the world at my feet. It's my hope to remember that excitement each time I am tasked with something challenging.
Mar 02, 2009
Stephanie / seenonflickr
rated it:
I really enjoy Robert Fulghum's essays, and I enjoyed this book, too. The essay about him running through a Cretan village yelling "Calimari! Calimari!" ("Squid! Squid!") instead of "Kalimera! Kalimera!" ("Good morning! Good morning!") had me falling off the couch laughing.
And a couple of quotes:
"If you do not dance, you will feel foolish. If you dance, you will also be foolish. So why not dance?"
"Pick a league worthy More...
And a couple of quotes:
"If you do not dance, you will feel foolish. If you dance, you will also be foolish. So why not dance?"
"Pick a league worthy More...
Aug 02, 2011
Bev
rated it:
This book of essays is actually a 3+, if there only were such a thing. I have only read, besides this collection, Fulghum's first two books, which I give 4 stars. I liked this one, also, but somehow it seemed less original. The essays were mostly very good. Some language, but not overly serious.
Oct 14, 2009
Mom
rated it:
Loved this book. I'm reading it for the radio service. Don't worry, I'm not marking it up. I'm just reading the stories at random. They're
short enough so I can read six or seven in a session. It shouldn't
take long for me to record it. Then I'll get it back to you.
short enough so I can read six or seven in a session. It shouldn't
take long for me to record it. Then I'll get it back to you.
May 13, 2010
Maggie
rated it:
Although I don't normally enjoy this style of easy going yet pungent blend of "kitchen" philosophy, this book really works well. It combines three setting where the author lives each year Seattle, Moab, and somewhere on Crete. It reads well on CD or in book form.
Oct 31, 2007
Julie
rated it:
I wasn't sure if I'd end up liking this book. I'm not a big fan of nonfiction and an entire book of essays can feel tedious at times. But despite this fact, I ended up really enjoying Robert Fulghum's essays and finding many of them very thought-provoking.
If you don't have time to read the entire book or are interested in sampling his writing, I recommend the following essays:
(6) Moon View
(10) Watch Out for Trucks
(17) Hopelessly Confused Sometimes (Essay abo More...
If you don't have time to read the entire book or are interested in sampling his writing, I recommend the following essays:
(6) Moon View
(10) Watch Out for Trucks
(17) Hopelessly Confused Sometimes (Essay abo More...
Feb 22, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
There were about 4 essays I would give 4 stars to: Moab, UT; men, little boys and flashlights!; washers and dryers make one sock, they don't eat one!; and one about Christmas. The rest I wasn't so interested in.
May 07, 2008
Jodi
rated it:
I have read all of Fulghum's books and have always enjoyed them. This one was a little harder to get into for me - it seemed to ramble on a lot more and Fulghum seemed to be reaching for things to write about in it. Maybe I have simply grown past them, or maybe his writing isn't as sharp as it used to be - I don't know. The story of the barking dog and the car alarm did tickle my funny bone however. Also, the story about "The Kid" on the basketball team who just couldn't play but
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Jun 23, 2011
Ben
rated it:
I did enjoy this book. I loved the chapter on the meaning of life. Very moving stuff. It takes a different look at things and makes you realize that what we often see is not always the case.
Dec 10, 2008
I love Robert Fulghum's writing. He is witty, smart, and recounts human nature and people very well. I am exited to see that there is a new one out there that I haven't read!
Sep 07, 2010
Spider
rated it:
I recommend this book to anyone who knows me, or anyone that likes a well told story or anecdote. I really enjoyed his reading, & there are so many delights! Treat yourself to a listen...
Feb 26, 2011
Relyn
rated it: 
Bummer.
I don't know if I have just outgrown Fulgham, or if he is not the writer he once was. But, this was an icky, boring book. I was so disappointed.
I don't know if I have just outgrown Fulgham, or if he is not the writer he once was. But, this was an icky, boring book. I was so disappointed.
Apr 30, 2009
Casie
rated it:
A collection of essays. Some are slices of his life in Seattle. Much of this is from his time in Crete. I really enjoyed them.
Jan 12, 2011
Marianne
rated it:
I usually like Robert Fulghum, but not this one. Not interesting, not thought provoking, and very disjointed.
Jan 28, 2010
JoAnn
rated it:
Great read for when you have a few minutes to escape your day. Subjects are things we see each day and how we react.
Jul 27, 2009
Laura
rated it:
So I'm not sure if A)His writing is less interesting, etc. than when I read him in high school/early college OR B) If I'm a different reader now...Far fewer stories I dogearred to re-read later. And the organization of the book - following him from Seattle to Moab to Crete - seemed like a device to publish random essays that never made the cut before....
Jun 09, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
Quote:
"It is better to have a bleeding heart than to have no heart at all." Amen Mr. Fulghum Amen.
"It is better to have a bleeding heart than to have no heart at all." Amen Mr. Fulghum Amen.
Jun 02, 2009
AuthorsOnTourLive!
rated it:
Robert Fulghum's newest book What On Earth Have I Done? Stories, Observations, and Affirmations is a wonderful new collection and an armchair tour of everyday life as seen by Fulghum, one of America's great essayists, a man who has two feet planted firmly on the earth, one eye on the heavens and, at times, a tongue planted firmly in his cheek.
We met Robert Fulghum when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to him talk about What On Earth Have I Done? Stori More...
We met Robert Fulghum when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to him talk about What On Earth Have I Done? Stori More...
Feb 07, 2011
Joy Lee
rated it:
Reading Fulghum exemplified my confusion regarding my personal problem (but that's another story). However, I liked how Fulghum viewed and valued life, friends, change, conversation, etc.
Sure I'm gonna hunt for a cheap copy of All I Really Have To Learn I Learned in Kindergarten and I'm gonna do a better review when I'm done with my England report. :)
Sure I'm gonna hunt for a cheap copy of All I Really Have To Learn I Learned in Kindergarten and I'm gonna do a better review when I'm done with my England report. :)
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Feb 08, 2008
Tracey
rated it:
A gift/pass-along from my mom; the subtitle is fairly accurate. Most of the essays/articles/bits of writing are Slice of Life experiences (including some intriguing stories from his time spent in Crete) drawn out into larger life lessons.
The snarky side of my personality finds of the material a bit eye-rolling at times; if you're looking for some feel-good, read-to-your-ailing-grandma essays, Robert's your man.
The snarky side of my personality finds of the material a bit eye-rolling at times; if you're looking for some feel-good, read-to-your-ailing-grandma essays, Robert's your man.
Apr 05, 2008
Martha
rated it:
as always, he is a hoot!
I always love the format of Fulghum's books....something I can dip into when I have just a few moments. I have them all and will keep them for rereading.
I personally love his list of questions to ask perfect strangers just to get the conversation going. Also, his 'player' piece. I want to engage people in this way...now, if I could just get up the nerve!
I always love the format of Fulghum's books....something I can dip into when I have just a few moments. I have them all and will keep them for rereading.
I personally love his list of questions to ask perfect strangers just to get the conversation going. Also, his 'player' piece. I want to engage people in this way...now, if I could just get up the nerve!
Nov 17, 2008
C
rated it:
Essay on Daydreams and success resulting from playing in my proper league are priceless.
Some of the essays on life in Crete aren't that interesting.
Some of the essays on life in Crete aren't that interesting.
Oct 18, 2009
Joe
rated it:
I have read numerous Robert Fulghum books and can say this is one of his best. To be sure, he can be funny and even cutting, at times. But his wisdom is universal and incredibly human. A must read for those who wish to laugh, cry, and be inspired.
