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The Last Lecture  By  cover art

The Last Lecture

By: Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
Narrated by: Erik Singer, Randy Pausch
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Publisher's summary

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." ( Randy Pausch)

A lot of professors give talks entitled "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.

This recording includes an interview with the author.

©2008 Randy Pausch (P)2008 Hyperion

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Reeling from change? Or ready to make some changes in your life? These wise words from authors just might give you the comfort or boost you need. Their words reflect the nature of change and the swirl of feelings surrounding it—from fear to exhilaration. In this collection, you'll find gentle reminders that change will keep happening and reassurance that you can handle it. When you face it and embrace it, change can enrich your life in unexpected ways.

What listeners say about The Last Lecture

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Loved it!

This is a book I will listen to over And over again! Randy really helps to put your life in perspective.
The narrator was excellent as well.

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A+

This book was an A+. The voice is down to earth and practical while accomplishing a thousand different tasks of helping the most divergent crowds all at once including college students with big aspirations, grieving families of all kinds and the author’s own young children, just to name a few! Kudos to this guy for living a life meaning, fun, substance and love!

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Highly recommend

If you could sum up The Last Lecture in three words, what would they be?

heartwarming , life changing , moving

What did you like best about this story?

how he can take the most simple things and make u see them in a different light

Which character – as performed by Erik Singer and Randy Pausch – was your favorite?

cant choose..lol

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Randy's bravery.

Any additional comments?

Its a must buy....I bought the book then the audio book and I plan on leaving it to my only son hoping he'll enjoy it as much as I have.

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Live with Joy

Randy's message about living with joy and having fun is spot on.
I am finding my meaning and purpose and going to live to my full potential like you did what a fantastic example.

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a fantastic book

good all around. not too long and is incredibly informative on life in general. If you have the time ot is definitely a good investment of time

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Thought provoking.

I am now older than Randy Pausch when he died. I had a child who died at birth so thinking about death and talking about it are of interest to me. I was touched by the book.

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really inspiring book.One of the best i have read.

really inspiring, very engrossing and one of the best i have read in a while.

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missed the actual lecture

I wish the lecture would have been an addendum you the book. I am disappointed it wasn't after all the build up.

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Good story.

The story is so easy to listen to. I couldn't stop listening. Great advice to be taken.

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A must read for everyone!

I truly believe this book is a must for all families to read and talk about. Difficult topic but amazing presentation. Specially for those families going through similar scenarios..

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