The Last Lecture - Books (Randy Pausch, Hardcover)

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Customer Reviews of The Last Lecture

jerard1

3rd October 2008

Inspiring and quirky
Randy Pausch was a remarkable man and this book offers new perspectives on the things he could only touch on within the time constraints of his last lecture. It also reveals different aspects of his complex character. A perhaps uniquely American and Internet age attempt to face death and pass on hard won wisdom. Well worth reading and learning from.

bmh

7th September 2008

What is the big hype about this book
I have completely failed to understand the hype around this book. What is so extraordinary about it? What does it tell us that we do not already know, what "life instructions" does it impart that are new????

bel_78
Buenos Aires, Argentina
27th August 2008

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand"
If you had the oportunity to give a last lecture, what would you teach to those listening to you? Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, had to make that decision, and he decided to talk about how to really achieve your childhood dreams.

Randy was dying of cancer when he gave that class, in September. I saw his lecture on wwwyoutubecom, and it really made a big impression on me. It was interesting, motivating, sometimes funny, and the kind of thing that makes you think. Here was a man with a few months to live, that found some time to gift others with the things he had learnt along the way. It was simply unbelievable...

Of course, when I heard that the lecture had been transformed by Randy and Jeffrey Zaslow into a book, I was curious. What else could he say about the subject? The truth is that the book is very similar to the conference Randy gave at Carnegie Mellon, with a few extra details and anecdotes.

That is not necessarily a bad thing, though. This book is a legacy from a good man that makes you remember the importance of living in a way you can be proud of, making a good impact on the lives of others on a daily basis. As someone else so aptly put it, this is a wake-up call, and as such, something you should take advantage of and treasure.

Highly recommended...

Belen Alcat

getabstract.com
Luzern Switzerland
28th July 2008

Dying teacher's moving lesson plan for life
On July 4, 1939, Hall of Fame first baseman Lou Gehrig, fatally ill with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the disease that would be named after him, told a capacity crowd at Yankees Stadium that he was "the luckiest man on the face of the earth." Sixty-eight years later, Carnegie Mellon computer science professor Randy Pausch, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, delivered his "last lecture." Like Gehrig, Pausch used the opportunity to express his gratitude rather than focusing on his terrible misfortune. In an hour-long taped presentation that earned him worldwide acclaim as it spread throughout the Internet, Pausch summarized his philosophy, and spoke of the importance of lofty ambition, hard work and perseverance. Pausch's main objective was to leave a meaningful legacy for his three young children - and he succeeds brilliantly. His book, written with Jeffrey Zaslow, expands on the themes in his lecture, entitled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." Needless to say, Pausch serves up heaping portions of wonderful life-affirming advice. You'll discover the qualities that make him so special. You'll count your blessings. You'll cry. You may even feel embarrassed or ashamed for those times when you lapse into self-pity. getAbstract believes that every reader can draw inspiration from this remarkable man who embraces and celebrates life even as he faces death.

Susan Donlon

22nd May 2008

Dream Big...Dream Without Fear
After watching Randy's lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" on YouTube I was blown away by his honesty, clarity and forthrightness in conveying life lessons he has discovered. And soon after I ordered this book which is the written version of that humorous and inspiring lecture.

One of the ideas in his book is what Randy calls "head fake" where you learn an important lesson in an indirect way. I was reminded of my parents sending me out to my many childhood softball, tennis, skiing or golf lessons. At the time thinking I was just learning the skill sets of these sports but really learning so many other skills that have and continue to carry me through my achievements and successes. Those lessons instilled in me a deep impression of responsibility, commitment, knowing I make a difference and the importance of having play time and fun in my life. I so appreciate my parents unwavering commitment to me and my siblings in supporting us in our sporting life lesson adventures.

If you found Randy's book inspiring, I highly recommend checking out any one or all of Ariel and Shya Kane's books, "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation," "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment" or "How To Create a Magical Relationship." Each of the Kane's books have the idea of "Instantaneous Transformation" woven through the stories and ideas presented. Where through Instantaneous Transformation an ordinary mundane life can transform into a brilliant life adventure without work or effort.

Want to know more or curious about living the best life possible? Then go ahead and read either one or all of these incredibly inspiring books that can guide you in achieving your own dream life.