It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It

by Robert Fulghum

In his first phenomenal best-seller, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum reminded readers everywhere of some plain and still-true truths. Now, picking up where he left off, Fulghum turns our eyes to show-and-tell, weddings, his own ten commandments, and more insightful and unique observations on what our world is and was....

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Self Help, Philosophy, Inspirational, Short Stories

214 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Robert Fulghum is an American author, primarily of short essays.

Reviews

[Elaine Day Neal]

First let me just say that I've had this book on my bookshelves for 20+ years. I've always wanted to read it, but somehow I always had another one more pressing. Recently I have been viewing my extensive bookcase with the purpose of culling down the read-then-gift titles. The time had arrived.
What a pleasure it was to read the thoughtful, charming and totally spot on musings of a gifted author. Published in 1988, today it would more likely appear as a blog of insightful thoughts by a talented writer, without profanity of course. With a seemingly unlimited bag of show-and-tell stories Robert Fulghum writes from the perspective of the 51 year old he was then. I suspect that if I had read this 20+ years ago I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did now in my late 50s. Much of the material covers experiences that were not yet part of my own history. I would give it 4.5* if I could. The 20 year wait was worth it. Now to figure out who to pass this on to, it's a fun and quick read.

[natalie]

prostě Fulghum no...

u něj už mě nic nepřekvapí. někdy se u knihy směju tak, že se na mě lidé v autobuse otáčejí.

chci mít třetího dědečka - Fulghuma.

[Amanda]

I remember my mom found this book in my room when I was in sixth or seventh grade (I had stolen it from my grandparents house) and FLIPPED OUT. She never did give it back to me or bother to find what it actually was about (much less apologize). She just thought the title was naughty and reflexively banned me from reading it. Ha! I didn't mind much- I had already read it like 20 times.

[Phoebe Scarborough]

This book was so awesome. Super short chapters. Funny and easy to read. Lots of good variety from one chapter to the next.

Robert Fulghum is great AND a unitarian 🤞.

I love train of thought writing, but it’s not for everyone. It reminds me of The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. I wonder if they would get along.

My only grievance was that you could tell it’s a bit outdated at times.

[Jay]

A collection of short, uplifting essays from the author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
You may have noticed that I've been reading a few uplifting, heartstring-tugging, life-affirming books recently, like 700 Sundays and Tuesdays with Morrie. Why? Have I been depressed or something?
Yeah, yeah I have. It's been a rough year, including a couple of hospitalizations and a relocation (to small-town Texas, sadly) to move back in with my mom after ten years of independence in Denver. So it's been hard, and I've been trying to read things that make me feel better about the world mixed in with my regularly scheduled programming.
Sorry about the autobiography. The book! Basically a bunch of cute, funny essays about how we are all the same in most ways, accepting that we are not perfect, and how much joy can be found in life. Also, climbing trees, which is awesome.
It's a quick read, and maybe a bit inconsequential, but sometimes you need something light, sweet, and fluffy. I guess that makes this the literary equivalent to cotton candy, but that's okay.

[Erin]

This is a very hopeful group of essays by the author of "All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten." He shares insights from his life, people he randomly met, lists of things to be thankful for, and amusing stories. He made me laugh and cry and the laugh and cry. I found myself writing down pages that I want to read again, even though it is a library book. I really needed this book this month and I thought it was wonderful.

Have you ever heard of John Pierpont? As Fulghum explains, Pierpont was a failure at every job that he tried. He was too nice to succeed in the business world and he tried to be a poet, but wasn't very good. He fought briefly in the Civil War, but that wasn't for him either and he was 76. His life would seem to be a failure, other than one thing. Pierpoint wrote "Jingle Bells" arguablly the most famous Christmas song.

I loved the stories about weddings and how everything that could go wrong usually does. His stories are so full of wit and make me laugh out loud.

I loved his chapter on being thankful. I have really been struggling with this concept in the past year and was thankful for the reminder. I loved that he was thankful for the flowers growing in an empty lot and he was thankful for the old woman in a swim suit who loved to splash with children and he was thankful for the small acts of kindness that random people showed to each other.

[Jeana]

This is a sweet, hopeful book of little essays. It's the kind of book you can keep in your purse for when you have a moment (and just a moment, as most of the stories are quite short) and pull it out and be renewed. Some of the stories are definitely better than others. But there's a lot of different stuff in here and I think it's the kind of stuff you reflect upon as life goes on. Thank you, my friend Christie, for giving me this book and this part of you. I especially loved the John Pierpont story. Oh and another of my person favorites--the list on page 90 #7 "And give money to all street musicians." This reminds me of something that happened a couple weeks ago after seeing the Nutcracker. I think I need to blog about it now.

[Jade Capiñanes]

Fulghumʼs books are probably the only self-help-ish, inspirational-ish books Iʼm not ashamed to admit I read. I read his “Kindergarten” book some years ago, when I started reading, and I remember enjoying it so much. Although my taste in books has changed over the years, I still mention that book to people who ask me for book recommendations, especially if they are just starting to love reading.

Did I care about being mind-blown or what when I picked this up? Nope. I read this because Iʼd been reading some serious and heavy stuff and I just wanted to feel good. Most of the ideas in Fulghumʼs essays may seem clichéd, like the ones about kindness and love and nice things in general, but clichés exist of course because theyʼre true and we need to be reminded of them all the time.

[Markéta Forejtová]

Celá recenze: http://marky-books.blogspot.be/2016/0...
~~~
Reakce po dočtení: Zkusila jsem opět audioknižní podání - hlas mi sice neseděl, ale hudební doprovod byl skvělý. Lepší než školka to není, ale geniální rozhodně ano :D
~~~
Hodnocení: 4,5 hvězdičky

[Mary K]

A quick read even though it took me a few days (I sometimes got bored). Simple stories with humor and meaning. I read this book ages ago so this was a second reading

[Brody Dean]

3.5.
Fulghum’s collection of comical stories range all over the place; from his perspective of why he is not fond of dogs, to officiating a mixed race and religion wedding, to learning from a monk at a temple in Japan. If I had to describe his stories in one word, that word would be “insightful”.
The author is a very good storyteller, but reading many of the stories were just means to an end of finishing the book. It was written almost 40 years ago, so some jokes just aren’t in style anymore and fell flat, but I had no problem with his writing style at all. Fulghum mentions his time spent as a minister and as a clergyman, but what he reveals about himself throughout the book makes me question his moral and spiritual compass. However. this isn’t a theological book so it doesn’t affect my rating.

[Šárka]

Všechny texty, co jsem zatím od Fulghuma četla, byly hrozně laskavé. Najdou se v nich myšlenky hodné zapamatování, když chcete, ale nejsou předkládané čtenáři jako ultimátní pravdy ani jako něco, co si musí za každou cenu odnést. Tak nějak mi přijde, že tahle kniha se nesnaží přesvědčovat, ale jenom ukazovat. A v tom je velký rozdíl a je to důvod, proč jsem měla při čtení pocit, jako bych dostávala požehnání k čemukoliv, co se svým životem hodlám udělat, a vůbec nevadí, že nejsem věřící.

[Anička]

Yet another wholesome, funny, open-minded and profound bunch of stories by Fulghum.

"Slavný duchovní učitel - vlastně svatý - procházel malým městem. Vědělo se o něm, že má u sebe tajný klíč k pochopení smyslu života. Přišel k němu jeden kapsář, prohledal ho šikovnými prsty, nic nenašel a odešel s prázdnou. Nevšiml si ničeho jiného než kapes."

[Góczán Judit]

Szórakoztató és elgondolkodtató. Mert jó nagy adag humor kell az élethez. És néhány ilyen könyv vagy ilyen ember, aki átsegít rajta. Legalább annyi önirónia van benne, mint amennyi jóízű nevetés a másikon, aki esendő, vagy hibázik. Hihetetlen mindennapi történetek.

[Noah Peters]

I did not really enjoy this book. Yes some of the stories were slightly humorous but most of it was just weird to me. I would have put this book down if my father in law had not given it to me and recommended I read it.

[Jen]

3.5 stars. Pleasant surprise. I assumed it was going to be sentimental and schmaltzy, but found short essays that were ranging from silly to acerbic and frequently funny and thoughtful.

[Rose]

Great book and great author. He also wrote "All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten". This book consists of short stories that he takes from his personal life and are often humorous (especially the story about the mother of the bride), sad, or thought provoking. It is a quick read with each chapter only being 1-2 pages.

I found the author to be a deep thinker and jack of all trades and master of none. His bio says he has held over 20 jobs in various capacities.

[Binibining `E (of The Ugly Writers)]

"We are the only creature that both laugh and weep. I think its because we are the only creatures that see the difference between the way things are and the way they might be. Tears bring relief. Laughter brings release."

I enjoyed reading his books. I specially like the story about the handsome brother and the toad brother, i shed tears of joy when i was reading that part.

This book teaches us about lessons in life also hardships, struggles and simple joys.

[Andreas]

These books, and "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" can be seen as the collected wisdom of Mr. Fulghum. He has a knack for squeezing the funny out of commonplace occurrences, and wondering why people don’t have more common sense. Mildly entertaining.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=761

[Mark]

In my mind, Fulghum laid a whopper on us back in kindergarten. Now he takes us to being grownups having responsibilities. His advice on making marriage real is valuable.

Much of the book is rambling patter, unmemorable as a whole. Watch for gems of wisdom held beneath the surface. These aren't always subtle, but sublime and explicit.

[Jessica]

Another great installment. I love the story about Rosa Parks, it is emotional and profound. It stays with you for awhile after reading it.

[Rae]

This was all the rage when it was first published. I don't usually run to jump on the bandwagon, but I did with this title. I really enjoyed these delightful essays.

[Michael]

Not quite the magic of "...Kindergarten", but still a delight.

[Sarah]

Skeptical at first, but well written, witty, fun, and made me laugh out loud!

[Cherie Palmer]

When ever I need to laugh and put life back into perspective, I read Fulghum!

[Patricie Prokešová]

Skvělé povídky psány s naprostou životní grácií s jakou to jen Fulghum umí. Příjemně se to četlo :-)

[Lee Pecl]

Těším se až si tuto knihu přečtu za deset let a znova si řeknu: A proto mají obyčejné chvíle ta nejkrásnější poselství.

[Corina Lilith]

A book that is filled with wise anecdotes that's easy to read, funny, and relatable.

[Nusret]

<> Acemi Filozof

“Ne Biliyorsam Hepsini Anaokulunda Öğrendim”* kitabından sonra okunması gereken bir kitap olan
“Üzerine Yattığımda Alev Alev Yanıyordu” kitabını okurken sanki okuma değilde yazarı dinliyormuşum gibi bir his vardı, garip değil değildi;
çünkü, okumalar yeni anlatılar doğurmalıydı, ama dinlemeler konusunda pek bir yabancıydım, sanki uzak bir kentten başka uzak bir kente dinleyici olarak nakledilmiştim,
sessizlik içinde sessiz bir dinlemenin yarattığı okuma etkileyici ve değerliydi.

Kitabın içeriği yazar Robert Fulghum’un yaşadıklarından bir araya getirilmiş, kısa kısa hikayeler şeklinde bir roman.
Kitaptaki adımlayış; anı dediğimiz kalıcı olmasını istediğimiz güzel anların bir film şeridinin gözlerimizin önünden geçmesi gibi tekrar tekrar görmek isteyeceğimiz şeylerdir.
Kitap yer yer öğretici bilgi veriyor, yer yer gerçeklik, komedi, hayatın sıradanlığı ve şaşırmamanız üzerine garipliği.
Kitap, bir kapı olarak bütün yolları işaret ediyor, okurun, burada yapması gereken kapıyı zorlamak,
ilerleyen sayfalarla beraber işaretli yollardan birini seçmek ya da olmayan ama olması gereken yeni yolları yaratmak. Kısacası üzerine eklemek, genişlemek veya değerlenmek.

Kimileri için yaratmanın bir tek Tanrı’ya ait olduğu söylenir! Hiçbir şey yalnızca bir kimseye ait değildir... onu kullan, onu türet, yok’un yoksa mutlaka var’ın vardır.

Eğer, neyi unuttuğumuzu bilseydik; o şeyi hatırlamak için her zaman bir çaba göstermezdik. (o.n)

* “Ne Biliyorsam Hepsini Anaokulunda Öğrendim” kitabını bu kitabı okumaya başlayınca öğrendiğim için öncesinde okumadım, gerçi sonrasında da okumadım.
Önümüzdeki yaşanılabilir zaman dilimlerinin birinin arasına yolluyorum, fiyatlar artmadan, inançlar azalmadan okumak dileğiyle.

Not: Yeniden inceleme yazmama vesile olan okura teşekkürlerimi iletiyorum, kitapla kalın, her an ve her yerde.
Kitapsız bir dünya yaşanılabilir veya tercih edilebilir bir dünya olmasın, dilekleriyle.

[Abbott]

This book was recommended to my fiancee and I by our marriage counselor as a way to add some levity and humor to the stress of wedding planning. I read the introductory story (from whence came the title) online as a preview, and I was cackling out loud just about every paragraph. The story about the wedding gone awry (not a bride-zilla but a mother-of-the-bride-zilla) was especially poignant for the time in my life that I read it; what a hilarious reminder of what's really important about your wedding day -- getting married (and eating cake, obviously). Robert Fulghum has a gift for conveying humor in writing, which is a difficult task. His pacing and narrative choices are spot on. And each chapter is its own little vignette, so this book is super easy to digest with small chunks of reading every day. Keep it on your nightstand, but a word of warning -- don't read while your spouse is sleeping next to you, because your giggling will shake the bed and wake them!