All I Really Need to Know

Rating:
Summary: Buy it, read it, enjoy it, recommend it!
Review: Robert Fulghum has written a book of philosophy disguised as a book of anecdotes. Each lasts a couple of pages or so and is just enough to convey some important principle. They range from the trite to the inspirational, the mundane to the spiritual. Along the way he gives us his thoughts on grandfathers, God, children, giraffes, and just about everything you need to know. Some of his stories are about the man next door, others about famous people. Some are real, others made up, but they all convey universal truths. When you read this book you will probably think 'Hey I knew that already!' But all the same it's heart warming to have someone tell you in such a homely, friendly style. By the end of the book I felt I knew Robert Fulghum and would be happy to invite him to tea with me any time he happened to be passing. I read this on recommendation and in turn will be recommending it to anyone who will listen.

Rating:
Summary: Everyday Philospohy
Review: Robert Fulghum offers some uncommon insights on everyday occurances. This book made me laugh, cry, relate, but most of all it made me think. Mr. Fulghum casts a new light on everything from the life lessons of primary school, religious philosophies and the minor disaster of walking into a spider web on your way out the door to work. I throughly enjoyed this collection of essays on many levels. As often as it made me laugh, it also made me examine the nuiances of my own life.

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Summary: Very dumb.
Review: Sheep would be insulted by this stupidity.

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Summary: Not Socrates, but it works!
Review: Thanks to all the "complex" thinkers that continue to attack Fulghum's best-seller. Although Fulghum chooses to write from a simple voice, he also touches on universal themes we can all identify with. Some people need more intellectual stimulation, and if you're that type, pick up Kant, Nietsche, or Carlyle. For those of you who want a simple, easy laugh, grab this book. I'd rather read this book when I'm trying to relax any day.

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Summary: It's a terrifically funny book .I recommend it to everybody.
Review: This book is pretty good, although it would most likely appeal to the more grown-up crowd and I am sure that most young people would like it too.The book is completely narrarated by the author. It is composed of little stories of things that have happened to him in his life.I would recommend it to everyone.

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Summary: Humorous yet thoughtful reflections about life
Review: This book was a pleasure to read, enjoyable both for its thoughtful musings about the world we live in and the author's humor. His idiosyncracies (such as his practice of not raking leaves or otherwise disturbing the yard with work) are things I either practice myself or else wish I did. His good sense shines through in the leaves of the book and his often wise observations are not esoteric platitudes but down to earth comments about plain good living. (I have sometimes seen this book stocked in the religious sections of bookstores, but this seems inapt, given that the author doesn't demonstrate much religious leanings in his writings.) The chapters are short and easygoing, allowing this book to be read in one or one hundred sittings.

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Summary: great book
Review: This book was great. I was riveted by Fulghum's thoughts on everything from love to chicken-fried steak. He is an amazing writer and thinker. Much of his writing really hits home.

Rating:
Summary: Bathos
Review: This book was recommended to me before I began law school. I guess it was an well-intentioned attempt to save my soul before I entered three years of cynicism and greed or whatever. So I read the book, and thought the beginning was kind of clever and light-hearted, but in a matter of pages, the book's tone got on my nerves. You could almost hear the author sing-songing tired old platitudes about his brand of la dolce vita to point of escapism. The descriptions of his life - the object of his lessons - aren't too bad if you're reading lazily in the middle of summer (but he's no Shakespeare). It's the quasi-sermonizing and the self-conscious, wide-eyed innocence (bordering on annoyingly wispy wonderment) at the end of each passage that can make the average realist wonder in impatience if Fulghum should consider writing for Hallmark greeting cards - I never knew 196 pages of mush could seem so long. I guess "stop and smell the roses (and the daisies, orchids, gasoline, laundry, and chicken-fried steak)" is more marketable than "wake up and smell the coffee." But, if one is inclined to drown out their burnouts through (what I consider) constant denial and flaky feel-good prattle, then to each his/her own. No mistake, there are a few interesting points that you can pick up...but it's like a middle-aged man putting his literary finger-paintings on the fridge for everyone to see. If you are the kind of person to have your daily affirmations/spiritual walk while on the toilet, this would be the perfect bathroom book - I won't say that it should be used as toilet paper though (it's not THAT bad). I think that pretty much sums up my sourpuss opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Bathos
Review: This book was recommended to me before I began law school. I guess it was an well-intentioned attempt to save my soul before I entered three years of cynicism and greed or whatever. So I read the book, and thought the beginning was kind of clever and light-hearted, but in a matter of pages, the book's tone got on my nerves. You could almost hear the author sing-songing tired old platitudes about his brand of la dolce vita to point of escapism. The descriptions of his life - the object of his lessons - aren't too bad if you're reading lazily in the middle of summer (but he's no Shakespeare). It's the quasi-sermonizing and the self-conscious, wide-eyed innocence (bordering on annoyingly wispy wonderment) at the end of each passage that can make the average realist wonder in impatience if Fulghum should consider writing for Hallmark greeting cards - I never knew 196 pages of mush could seem so long. I guess "stop and smell the roses (and the daisies, orchids, gasoline, laundry, and chicken-fried steak)" is more marketable than "wake up and smell the coffee." But, if one is inclined to drown out their burnouts through (what I consider) constant denial and flaky feel-good prattle, then to each his/her own. No mistake, there are a few interesting points that you can pick up...but it's like a middle-aged man putting his literary finger-paintings on the fridge for everyone to see. If you are the kind of person to have your daily affirmations/spiritual walk while on the toilet, this would be the perfect bathroom book - I won't say that it should be used as toilet paper though (it's not THAT bad). I think that pretty much sums up my sourpuss opinion.

Rating:
Summary: INSPIRATIONAL!!!!
Review: This book was the reason I decided to become a teacher. We lose something when we become adults. Robert Fulghum still has that "something" and he shares it with his readers. His stories are optimistic but realistic, touching but true. It made me laugh, cry, and think. Fulghum is SO insightful, but in a down to earth every-day-kind-of-guy way. Where ever you are Robert Fulghum, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You have a unique gift; I'm so glad you shared it with me!