The Last Lecture

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.
 

Customer Reviews:

Similar to the video, but still inspiring

While I found the book mostly a repeat from the recorded lecture available online, I still found it inspiring. An example how to live each day as though it were your last.

2008-12-04

Man what a guy!

I saw the video, the tv special and now I have the book. What an amazing guy and message!

2008-12-01

Feeling great!

This book was a great joy to read. Randy's honesty and look on life is truly inspirational. I had a great feeling after reading this book!

2008-12-01

No Problems

I received the book in a timely manner, the price was right & the book was in great condition. I'm quite satisfied.

2008-12-01

very emotional book

had watched Randy's story on tv and the net - wanted the book and got it at a great price plus no s/h - have yet to read it - but know that it will be a very emotional experience

2008-11-30