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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

Featured Article: 45+ Quotes to Help You Make Peace with—and Take Charge of—Change


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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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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Best book I have read in a long time

An enlighting book. Inspiring and full of great words of wisdom. I would recommend this book to all who have a fight with cancer.

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hands down my favorite book

colorful and impactful on everything from everyday life to deathbed to how to raise and provide. You cant go wrong as there is something for everyone.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Worth Reading

Although I've heard that watching the video is a better experience. Either way, it's worth reading again and again, to remind yourself what's truly important in life.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

What a ride! All I can say is that I wish I had known Randy. I thought that this "last lecture" by a man who knew he was dying might be morbid, or that I'd walk into work with my mascara smeared after listening to it in the car, but it is uplifting and funny and makes you think about how you treat other people and what you are doing with your life.

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2 people found this helpful

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Great Life Lessons!

What did you love best about The Last Lecture?

The message itself was one of the best things about the book. It celebrated life.

What did you like best about this story?

The anecdotal stories along with the message made for a very good read.

Have you listened to any of Erik Singer, and Randy Pausch’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to either before.

They were both very good though.

What did you learn from The Last Lecture that you would use in your daily life?

To live life completely.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

What is Meaningfun lin Your Life?

This is an amazing book that is only partly about how a major illness changes life. A beautiful series of meaningful essays; it will make you think about your priorities.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great Life Lessons

I could identify with cancer concerns, but what I really appreciated were the life lessons imparted.

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I will come back to this book many times.

These lesson have impacted my daily thinking already. The thought of living life to create memories is a beautiful way to live. Become a person that others want to help is not communicated enough these days. Thankful for this read. And a great way to start 2021.

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enjoy each day

Truly inspiring and well written. Words can always be spoken, even when we have passed in life...

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