“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” — Randy PauschA 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 … 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.
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A diary that became a beautiful legacy for a family. Touching, heartwarming and sad.
Everyone should read this book!!!!
A very thought prevoking book. This book gave me a different view in what’s really important in everyday life.
A lesson for all of us. Important reading.
One of the best books (lectures?) I’ve ever read. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the “truly important things” in life.
Heartfelt. It takes one word to describe The Last Lecture. I’m thrilled to have listened to it in Audio format because if it was a book I could already see the tear stains it would have left.
There so much emotion confided in the words. So much treasure, gems and life lessons that can be found.
This is the first time a book has left me with a …
Been out of school for 10 years. Haven’t read a book and wanted to start back reading. Took me weeks to find one I’d be interested in… then I stumbled upon this. What a find!!
I’ve only read the sample so I can’t give a full review but, I read the whole sample.. so….
I found this book to be uplifting, with lots of excellent life advice that I will share with my children and grandchildren.
Awesome – Just awesome!
What a great and generous man and to think he shared this beautiful story with not only his wife and children but the world.
Very moving.
Great inspiring book one you can’t put down. Five stars
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I am thinking of getting a copy for my Grandson for his Graduation.
I Love This Book.
An inspiring story about life…and death. Well told from a great perspective. It helps us learn to appreciate even the smallest things, even the not-so-great things, and realize what’s truly important.
This was a good read!
I love everything about this book.
A great life lesson.
Awed to be able to share in his pain and life. Thank you for your honesty. Helps us relate better to those who are in pain.
Bought copies for family. Every parent should read.