Rating: 
Summary: Good book, just not what I was expecting
Review: For some reason, I failed to make the connection that this was by the same author as All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I was expecting essays, not aphorisms. This is a superior example of the Life's Little Instruction Book genera, and as such would be very appropriate for a high school or young adult reader. A good introduction to many writers, some classic, some pop. For the older reader, it's an intellectual appetizer where I was expecting a buffet. Again, the ONLY thing wrong with this book is that I was expecting Something Else.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, just not what I was expecting
Review: For some reason, I failed to make the connection that this was by the same author as All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I was expecting essays, not aphorisms. This is a superior example of the Life's Little Instruction Book genera, and as such would be very appropriate for a high school or young adult reader. A good introduction to many writers, some classic, some pop. For the older reader, it's an intellectual appetizer where I was expecting a buffet. Again, the ONLY thing wrong with this book is that I was expecting Something Else.
Rating: 
Summary: Labor of love
Review: Fulghum's an independent thinker, and I respect him for that. Yeah, his works may not be classed among the greats of philosophy, but I like them. He combines a lust for life to rival Henry James with the knowledge of a lifelong reader and the wisdom born of a varied and examined life experience. I think this book is mostly a labor of love, a tribute to the thinkers who have influenced him as he hopes to reach others. (And if I recall correctly, he's donating the profits).
Rating:
Summary: This book made me laugh and cry--but more importantly FEEL.
Review: I am a sucker for beautiful words. These are some of the most beautiful I have read. I am so grateful to Mr. Fulghum for collecting these passages in one easily accessible volume. Though I read the book in two short hours, I find myself pulling it from the shelf frequently for comfort, words of wisdom, or lyrics to the music of my life. This book also gave me the "right" words to memorialize two very close family members. I am grateful. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of this wonderful little book. It is a "keeper." -- Dr. Allison L. Hayes
Rating:
Summary: From Kindergarten to Bene-Dictions of Wisdom!
Review: I have enjoyed the other reviews, especially one with all the Poetry! From judging by the Author's picture on the back cover in his Library, seeing the references to William Butler Yeats, and quotes in Chaps: Simplify, Play, Lafter, God, Bene-Dictions and Contra-Dictions. I wholeheartedly agree that he loves poetry and very likely is a Poet! He is infinitely qualified to write about and quote these intensely varied poems like "Ithaca, "How can I keep from singing, "All things dull and ugly, plus Annie Dillard and Thomas Merton!
I am pleasantly surprised seeing his quote of Scott Fitzgerald, on being able "to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time..." Since I had lost that proper resource. Also happily, I noted the successive pages with Walt Whitman, William Blake and Ralph Walso Emerson! I am fortunately blessed to discover this collection of Wisdom, to keep alongside of Thomas Moore's neat "Meditations, Thomas Merton's "Essays on Contemplation, and Anthony deMello's "Awareness plus his "Song of The Bird.
Reading his Introducton, so personally written, I was reminded of his earlier, "From Beginning to End" and his final chapter fittingly titled Bene-Dictions using Carl Sandburg and Jerry Garcia! Pointedly contrasting excerpts from my favorite chapters I conclude with his Big Chapter on God: With "Renascence of Edna St Vincent Milay, "When We Very Young of AA Milne, ee cummings, Nikos Kazantzakis...Altogether are too much for my mysticism to handle at one sitting! From an experienced Lover of Wisdom Writings... Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
Rating:
Summary: From Kindergarten to Bene-Dictions of Wisdom!
Review: I have enjoyed the other reviews, especially one with all the Poetry! From judging by the Author's picture on the back cover in his Library, seeing the references to William Butler Yeats, and quotes in Chaps: Simplify, Play, Lafter, God, Bene-Dictions and Contra-Dictions. I wholeheartedly agree that he loves poetry and very likely is a Poet! He is infinitely qualified to write about and quote these intensely varied poems like "Ithaca, "How can I keep from singing, "All things dull and ugly, plus Annie Dillard and Thomas Merton! I am pleasantly surprised to see his quote of F. Scot Fitzgerald on being able "to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time...since I had lost that proper resource. Also happily, I noted the successive pages with Walt Whitman, William Blake and Ralph Walso Emerson! I am fortunately blessed to discover this collection of Wisdom, to keep alongside of Thomas Moore's neat "Meditations, Thomas Merton's "Essays on Contemplation, and Anthony deMello's "Awareness plus his "Song of The Bird. Reading his Introducton, so personally written, I was reminded of his earlier, "From Beginning to End" and his final chapter fittingly titled Bene-Dictions using Carl Sandburg and Jerry Garcia! Pointedly contrasting excerpts from my favorite chapters I conclude with his Big Chapter on God: With "Renascence of Edna St Vincent Milay, "When We Very Young of AA Milne, ee cummings, Nikos Kazantzakis...Altogether are too much for my mysticism to handle at one sitting! From an experienced Lover of Wisdom Writings... Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
Rating:
Summary: Changed My Whole Perspective
Review: I must say that when I started this book today, my day, in fact my week was going very badly. By the time I finished it a couple of hours later my whole perspective had changed, and I feel revived and refreshed. Robert Fulghum has given me back a renewed feeling of faith and hope again. How can I ever show my gratitude? Only by telling others how much it has meant to me. Thank you Robert Fulghum, for sharing the wisdom that you have garnered from these great writers. Although you didn't write their words, yours are so inspiring to me. I would like to share some of my favorites that I think are relevant to the theme of his book: "The way a book is read -- which is to say, the qualities a reader brings to a book -- can have as much to do with its worth as anything the author puts into it." (Norman Cousins) He ate and drank the precious words,
His spirit grew robust;
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was dust.
He danced along the dingy days,
And this bequest of wings
Was but a book. What liberty
A loosened spirit brings!
(Emily Dickinson) 'Tis the good reader that makes the good book; in every book he finds passages which seem to be confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for his ear; the profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered by an equal mind and heart.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson) To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate converse with men of unseen generations--such is a pleasure beyond compare.
(Yoshida Kenko) For books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul was whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve as in a vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them. I know they are as lively, and as vigorously productive, as those fabulous dragon's teeth; and being sown up and down, may chance to spring up armed men.
(John Milton)
Rating:
Summary: johnnyhu@hotmail.com
Review: I've read most of the Robert Fulghum's works from "Maybe Maybe not, True Love, ... and this Words I Wish I Wrote." Honestly speaking, I am not a native-English speaker, but ever since I contacted with Fulghum's works, I'd loved it. Most of his works are witty, humorous and pretty. Sure, Including this one. His work will inspire people in a mystical way as to move the deepest part of his heart. I did learn much from his works. I am suprised at that as well, and more confident in realizing this world. I do suggest you read this book. But I recommend you read his other works first. You have to know him more before you get to the great sayings he cherishes all his life.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: It's amazing how a book can contain so many wise ideas and mainly be the ideas that have been said before. The author is a good chooser of quotes and writings that stimulate the intelligence and imagination. GOOD JOB!!! Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: It's amazing how a book can contain so many wise ideas and mainly be the ideas that have been said before. The author is a good chooser of quotes and writings that stimulate the intelligence and imagination. GOOD JOB!!! Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
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