The Last Lecture
If you were going to die, and had one last lecture, what would you say to your students?
This question is the premise of an academic tradition called the “Last Lecture,” which allows professors to share their wisdom with their students. But for the late Professor Randy Pausch, it wasn’t a hypothetical scenario. Diagnosed with cancer, he only had months to live when he gave his Last Lecture this past September. It was the lecture of a lifetime. Titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” it encouraged people to dream big, to be strong in the face of adversity, to never lose the wonder and to help others achieve their own dreams. Wise, witty and incredibly moving, it became a global phenomenon: viewed online by millions, featured on numerous TV programs and linked to by legions of Websites.
In this volume, Pausch expanded on his lecture, elaborating on his message and sharing how he learned each of the lessons outlined in his talk. As he said, “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you live your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”
This is one of the most inspiring books we’ve read in a long while.
Hardcover Book : 224 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Bks/Imp of Buena Vista Books ( April 09, 2008 )
Item #: 12-561602
ISBN: 9781401323257
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 inches
Product Weight: 9.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Incredible! 
November 07, 2009
I read this book in less than two hours. It was great from start to finish. I think my favorite part of it was that a dying man was writing it and he spoke so much on living that you forgot he was dying. Wonderful life lessons for us all. I am actually teaching it to a group of seniors in high school and they love it too! I have also passed it on to a relative who works with cancer patients to have on hand. You never know what the next chapter might teach you about life and sometimes its nice to read about someone else's experience. Wonderful read - I'd recommend it to everyone.
Reviewer: Karie E
July 08, 2009
I read this wonderful book in 3 days. Randy is my hero, he fought his illness with alot of courage and he never seemed to be sad, he just lived his life to the fullest. He was a great person. I also lost an uncle to pancreatic cancer. On the day my uncle was diagnosed with cancer, my sister got a call that her 27 year old son had died. I bought 9 books and gave some to my 6 sisters. The same year, my sister s boyfriend died. Then Miss Kathy the preschool teacher died in a car accident, several days later, my 3 mo. old nephew died. Then I found out that Michael Jackson died, my boys loved him. I would like for the Jackson family to read Randy s book The Last Lecture. because we never know when we are going to leave this earth. When I hear the song by Alan Jackson "Sissy s Song" I think of Miss Kathy. To all those who have passed away this year, Randy, Uncle Ivan, Domenic, Little Richard
Cain, Jessie, and Michael Jackson, I know that you are looking down on us from heaven. May God Bless you and may God bless us all.
Reviewer: Yvonne S
Inspiring
April 01, 2009
This book is divided into many short chapters (each imparting a simple lesson) which can be read within a few minutes making it a nice addition to your daily meditation time. While the subject matter is serious the writing style is light and entertaining drawing from the author's anecdotal reflections. Looks like society lost a good one but fortunately he saw fit to share his last thoughts with the world.
Reviewer: Vivien R
Where are you in your life?
March 20, 2009
I read this book a year ago and, because of a mass just found and a biopsy looming, I read it again. It isn't so much that Pausch says anything you haven't heard before but it's how he says it that makes you stop and think. I find the book awe inspiring! If you take nothing else from the book, you should take away the fact that living a life in fear is not living at all. He wrote his original "last lecture" as a gift to his children but he gives that gift to us. It isn't one I take lightly and I'm grateful for every single day, all the more so because of Randy Pausch.
Reviewer: Redrain
Awesome!
February 26, 2009
I don't know how anyone could read this book and say it's not a good read. It was fabulous. I thought it was well written and it made me think about what I would do given his situation. It made me laugh and cry and contemplate ... I was sad when I finished reading it because I wanted to know more of how this man thinks! It was truly inspirational! I'm buying an extra copy for my boss to read!
Reviewer: Abby's M
Copyright © Bookspan. Doubleday Book Club® is a registered trademark of Random House. Used under license. Unauthorized use prohibited. All rights reserved.
59607201305ADFL
