The Last Lecture

THE LAST LECTURE
Randy Pausch w/ Jeffrey Zaslow
Hyperion, 2008. 206 p. Biography

If you knew death was waiting a mere six months for your soul, what last words would you leave for posterity? It’s a sobering thought and most of us don’t have such precipitous forewarning, but Randy Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and with it came an imminent death sentence.

However, as a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, Pausch was afforded an opportunity given to all academics as they leave the school—a chance to give one “last lecture”. So Randy decides to speak as if he were giving all the advice, wisdom and love he would offer if speaking to his own three children. Because the lecture will be taped, he knows his wife and young children will be able to watch it after his death. He touches on the achievements he’s made in life, but more importantly the wisdom he’s learned from his varied experiences and relationships. He’s a self-confessed egoist, but an engaging fellow and this little book is an easy to read, interesting and inspirational story without any wallowing. As a national bestseller, Randy's last lecture has achieved more than a few followers. Highly Recommended.

The book will have you contemplating your own Last Lecture and leave you with a stirring urge to live more fully, more exuberantly and more wisely while you have the chance.

DAP