What on Earth Have I Done?: Stories, Observations, and Affirmations

by Robert Fulghum

Robert Fulghum's new book begins with a question we've all asked "What on Earth have I done?" As Fulghum finds out, the answer is never easy and, almost always, surprising. For the last couple of years, Fulghum has been traveling the world - from Seattle to the Moab Desert to Crete - looking for a few fellow travelers interested in thinking along with him as he delights in the trick-or-treating with your grandchildren dressed like a large rabbit, pots of daffodils blooming in mid-November, a view of the earth from outer space, the mysterious night sounds of the desert, every man's trip to a department store to buy socks, the raucous all-night long feast that is Easter in Greece, the trials and tribulations of plumbing problems and the friendship one can strike up with someone who doesn't share the same language. What on Earth Have I Done? is an armchair tour of everyday life as seen by Robert 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. Fulghum writes to his fellow travelers, with a sometimes light heart, about the deep and vexing mysteries of being alive and says, "This is my way of bringing the small boat of my life within speaking distance of yours. Hello…"

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Philosophy, Short Stories, Audiobook, Biography

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

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

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most nights, I lie down on the couch and read a bit of Fulghum at bedtime, to go to sleep with a smile on my face. As in all his books, some essays hit closer to home than others. But one story in this book had me laughing so hard I nearly fell off the couch. That essay alone was worth the 5 stars. His books are a good antidote to the others I read, which are probably too scary or depressing. So I balance those with Robert Fulghum's witty observations of life. He's a gem!

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 the author, then slowly worked my way through the printed version. For the most part I prefer the words on the page, but some of the pieces were enhanced by the author's vocal interpretations. This was especially the case with "Asbestos Gelos," the funniest piece in the book.

My favorite dozen pieces:

#6: Moon View
#28: Players
#40: Night Thoughts
#46: Asbestos Gelos
#65: The List
#67: Recollection on the Way to an Appointment
#70: Orange
#73: Sock Epiphany
#74: Secret Agent X
#75: Bizarre Thoughts
#82: The Way of Water
#87: Meanwhile

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 camp latrine cleaner or whatever!!!! It must be because Mr. Fulghum loves E.B. White as much as I do!!!!! And he probably drives a Subaru. Give yourself a spring rejuvenation and get this book.

[Sheila Jungco · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books that I don't want to end.
So much stories that I can't read enough.
The rush sadness at the end of the book though. I have to find one more.

I like how there are several faces of life. There are people who tell ys about physics, numbers, ideology, discipline and one that tells us about the ordinary, the mundane , that little peice of joy in simple matter. That piece of sunshine. It is good to back in reality and what you can just do in simple ways. Life is tough when we focus on things we can do nothing about. Life is beautiful if we focus on things that is within our reach.

I really love this moment that I'm with my one of favorite author.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

IMHO, the most useful part of this book is Ch. 65 @ p. 233: The List of conversation lifeboats. Being an introvert, myself, I run out of conversation with a stranger rather quickly. Mr. Fulgum helps me out of my befuddlement rather quickly and effectively, making for interesting and lively conversation. Dale Carnegie never made it so good.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a book with no plot, short affirmation and a little common sense, found it.

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short essays, loosely framed around the author's three homes - in Seattle, Moab, and Crete - wander all over the map figuretively as well as literally, but provide deep insights in living an enjoyable life, getting along well with others, and finding your place in the world. Here are descriptions and excerpts from few that stood out:

Fools and Fat Butts: About wearing a Lycra bodysuit while cycling, and about being afraid to dance. "If you do not join the dancing, you will feel foolish. If you dance, you will also feel foolish. So, why not dance?"

Players: Like my friend Chris, Fulghum is not afraid to be bold when encountering strangers: "I like the groceries in your cart better than mine. Want to trade?" To someone who missed a deadline: "Just give me a really clever, off-the-wall creative excuse--the wildest thing you can think of. Make me laugh and I'll go away." At a bus stop: "They're all alien robots, you know, their souls have been sucked out of them and exported." Players are the ones who respond in kind.

My Fault: The family assigns blame on a schedule. If it's Sunday, it's the author's fault, no matter what happens. Family members get to air grievances, the scheduled person accepts the blame, and all share a laugh. On Tuesdays, it's the fault of a stuffed moose. I wonder if that works with only two people in the family? I hope so.

Liturgical Laughter: Jesus was human, "Like the rest of us. He ate, wept, got angry, and bled. And surely, he laughed... You can't tell me that joy, delight, and the all-out belly laugh were not as much a part of him as they are of us."

The List: Conversation starters ... "2. What would you be learning-- if you had time?" "10. Who do you admire? Who admires you?" "20. If you could live one short episode of your life over again-- a day, week, month-- which would it be? And why?"

I think I'll be giving this book to a few people, and recommending it to more. And maybe, just maybe, I'll have the guts to become a player... and to admit that it's my fault on Thursdays.

[Kim]

Although this book is not as ‘rompy’ as All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, or It was On Fire When I Lay Down On It, What On Earth still has a great deal of thoughtful, and thought-provoking gems in it.

The book reflects the thoughts and travels of the author as he lives in Seattle, Crete and Utah. Travel brings broadening perspectives to things, life. Life experience also adds to the mix, as it provides one with a deeper perspective of what is really important and within one’s purview to actually do. The essay, Meanwhile, brings that home. I also loved View Property, as what the realtor values, is not the same as what Fulghum values, and the key is both are subject to change in the face of new information. I also loved Hopefully Confused Sometimes: A Story with Four Part and No End (Part One), as the essay is reflective of how we feel and treat those less fortunate, and desperate than we are, and reminds us that we can be in that same position and be at our fellow man’s inclination to display/exhibit no mercy … which (still) says a lot about us as people, as a society (a collection of people).

I really, as I have always, enjoyed Fulghum’s books as he does take simple things that we take for granted and puts them into our view for our inspection, review and humor … and reflection.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know for certain how many times I have read the author's first book, All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. At least a dozen, probably two, since my high school AP European History teacher read it aloud to us over a few months of intense study. Fulghum has a way of capturing the profound that lives within the simple and that we all instinctively know but have never formulated into thought or speech or writing. I have read most of his other books, but had not been able to track down this one for several years.

I was gifted this book by a friend recently and when I wanted to take a weekend off from life and stress it seemed like the perfect book to be reading. I was right to think so. I enjoyed the book immensely and look forward to rereading it in the future -- although I will be sharing it with others as well. The little scraps of poetry and musings he shared with friends on a guest towel and a brick are lovely, he made me want to learn more about Epictetus, and I want to adopt and frame his 3 philosophies on writing at the end of the book. Thanks for the book, Resqgeek! It hit the spot!

[ReadingMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulghum is well known for his best seller “All I Really Need to know I learned from Kindergarten”. Compared to that, this book is relatively unknown yet full of fables and wisdom. Especially the conversational questions that he shared from the book. I am going to copy them down on my phone and use them when I talk to others. Instead of talking about superficial subjects such as weather or sports, I will ask thought provoking questions to allow others to share their lives and thoughts.

한글판으로는 지구에서 잘 놀다가는 70가지 방법. 영어 본문보다 훨씬더 낫다. 결론으론 웃으면 이긴다로 책한민국님은 표현하셨다. 맘에 드는 문장들이 너무많아서 서두없이 적어본다.
~모든 사람은 내가 다른 세상으로 갈수있는 방이다
~모든 상황에는 기회가 있다
~내 삶의 목적은 내 주위 (alrededor) 어두운곳에 빗이 되는거 : Shining Star
~내가 통제할수 있는곳에서, 또 차이를 만들수 있는 영역에서 꼭 필요한 사람이 되자
~삶은 가볍고 즐겁고 따뜻하게, 진지하지만 심각하지않게
~인생이 내뜻대로 되지 않을때, 포기할수 있는지혜를
~한동안 슬퍼한후, 다시 툭툭 털고 일어나자
~심각할때, 두려울때, 긴장될때, 한번 씩하고 웃는 여유를 가지자
~작은 유머코너는 필요하다. 미국 장례식에서 고인을 즐거웠던 기억을 하면서 Eulogy 에 Humor 가 들어가는것은 마지막을 좋은기억으로 묻기위함이다.

[Richard (Rick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Fulghum and his simple approach to appreciating the good in the world. This collection of essays is maybe less insightful overall, but I really liked the first one about the questions we should be asking ourselves about our time here on earth ... and also the retelling of the Papaderos story of the meaning of life. Those two will stick with me, and that makes the book very worthwhile.

[Kristi Amdur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fulghum's easy, heartfelt and humorous style makes his writing such a pleasure to read. He has a way of making the truths of love, peace, and joy into personal life experiences that show God has a sense of humor! And it is through Robert Fulghum's writing that we understand that.
A fun book to read that will undoubtedly make you smile and laugh.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

What on Earth Have I Done is a mishmash of anecdotes and observation with varying degrees of poignancy and emotional resonance. Of note are the more whimsical of the author's experiences, especially in conversations with children.

[Hattas Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vtipné príbehy z autorovho života, ktoré sú plné humoru, irónie a múdrosti. Fulghuma som čítal veľmi pomaličky a vychutnával som si každý príbeh. Žiaľ, všetko dobré sa raz musí skončiť. Vážne musí? A prečo?

[Mommooshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favorite Robert Fulghum book. But like all of his books, it was comprised of numerous short essays. Some sections I enjoyed less (section about Crete too long) but there were still many other stories that I really enjoyed.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulghum is pretty close to incomparable. I'm a longtime fan and reread his books regularly. Don't know why I had this marked "unread" because this was not the first time through this wonderful group of essays.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more hit and miss than some of his previous essay collections. The best parts of the book are his travel writings about Crete. The last 40 pages are a mishmash of pieces that would have best been edited out. Either way, it's a decent enough light read.

[Michele Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of essays was recommended by a friend. I have ever read anything by this author and was pleased by how easy he was to listen to on audiobook. His positivity was a nice break from the current atmosphere. He also quotes many Greek philosophers and that was fun for me as well.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a person who always has their perspective on the bigger picture, it's nice to escape into the minutiae of the mundane. To turn an eye to the smaller picture; everyday moments of life that often go unnoticed. While not my favorite book by the author, it was still an enjoyable read.

[MKF]

DNF
During one chapter it just stops and goes to the next chapter. Well that next chapter's page ends with an unfinished sentence. But, when you turn the page there is the final part of the previous chapter. Now there is no way to finish the sentence since I'm apparently missing that page now.

[Julie Loth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love Robert Fulghum. He is my go to author when I need a smile, a chuckle and solid, down to earth read. Nice to come back to time and time again.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Fulghum is always funny with his observations about people and life.

[Stacey Slager]

This is my first time reading Robert Fulghum, now I have to read everything else he has written. So charming!

[Jeanne_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring.

[Nedjoyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just soul fulfilling, smile inducing light hearted read you need every once in a while

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and optimistic

[Aneta]

witty, inspiring, sometimes even eye-opening.
loved the author's writing style, as always.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his best.

[Carol]

2007 - Trade - Read it

[William C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. Written well. You can learn about yourselves reading these book.