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The Last Lecture | 
 enlarge | Author: Randy Pausch
Publisher: Hyperion New York
Category: Book
Buy New: $19.95
New (3) from $19.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  814 reviews
Sales Rank: 52473
Media: Paperback
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 5 x 0.8
ISBN: 1401309658
Dewey Decimal Number: 158
EAN: 9781401309657
Publication Date: 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: We are spezialized in German/Foreign language books. Ships next day. Please allow 10-21 days for delivery.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 809 more reviews...
 If "he not busy being born is busy dying", Randy Pausch is immortal April 8, 2008
1229 out of 1271 found this review helpful
One of the staples of "the college experience" at many schools is the "last lecture" --- a beloved professor sums up a lifetime of scholarship and teaching as if he/she were heading out the door for the last time. It's the kind of tweed-jacket-with-elbow-patches talk that may or may not impart useful knowledge and lasting inspiration, but almost surely gives all present some warm and fuzzy feelings.
But a "last lecture" by Randy Pausch was different in every possible way. The professor of Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University was just 46, and this really was his last lecture --- he was dying.
And dying fast. In the summer of 2006, Pausch had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a ferociously efficient killer. Only 4% of its victims are alive five years after diagnosis. Most die much faster. Think months, not years.
Pausch fought back. Surgery. Chemo. Progress. But in August of 2007, the cancer returned --- and now it had metastasized to his liver and spleen. The new prognosis: 3-6 months of relative health, then a quick dispatch to the grave, leaving behind a wife and three little kids.
On September 18, 2007 --- less than a month later --- Randy Pausch gave his last lecture.
No one would have faulted him for launching a blast about desperately seizing opportunities in an irrational universe. Instead, Pausch delivered a laugh-filled session of teaching stories about going after your childhood dreams and helping others achieve theirs and enjoying every moment in your life --- even the ones that break your heart. Pausch's philosophy, in brief: "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
The lecture was taped, and slapped up on YouTube. Jeffrey Zaslow wrote about it in The Wall Street Journal, and news shows made Pausch "person of the week" --- and soon Pausch had a book deal reported to be worth almost $7 million. Few expected him to be alive when it was published.
On February 19, I interviewed Randy Pausch for Reader's Digest. To the surprise of many --- including Pausch --- he was still his recognizable, energetic self. As I write (in early April, 2008), Pausch reports he's recovering from a standing eight count. But his good news doesn't deceive him. He notes that pancreatic cancer did to the photographer Dith Pran ("The Killing Fields") what Pol Pot couldn't --- it buried him in three months.
And now we have the book. It's two books, really, because it reads one way with the author still among us and will surely read differently when "The Last Lecture" is like the The Butterfly and the Diving Bell --- the record of a dead man, talking. The first book invites your support and gives you a wake-up call. The second, I suspect, is also a wake-up call but, between the lines, reminds you that even happiness can't save you from death.
Somewhere in between --- in the quiet space where a book really lives --- is a document that accomplishes a lot in 200 pages. It's about paying attention to what you think is important (when asked how he got tenure early, Pausch replied, "Call me at my office at 10 o'clock on Friday night and I'll tell you") and working hard and listening really well. It's easy to miss that last part of that in the emotion and the stories surrounding this book, but Pausch argues that hearing what other people say about you and your work is crucial to success and happiness. Because this is what you get: "a feedback loop for life."
So, if you must, shed your tears for Randy Pausch. Imagine what it would be like if you or your dearest loved one drew the card called pancreatic cancer. And then put dying aside, and get on with your dreams. Amazing how many you can achieve if you want them badly enough. And how they have the power to cushion the pain when the bad stuff happens.
Sounds crazy, I know: Pollyanna in the cancer ward. But I talked with the guy. And we laughed and laughed. Of all the achievements in a life that's winding down, that's got to be up there.
A Big Gift in a Small Package April 9, 2008
135 out of 146 found this review helpful
As I opened the shipping box from Amazon.com, I found two preordered copies of Randy Pausch's book, one for my family and one for whoever needs it most within the next few weeks. This could be a friend or business acquaintance who has reached some personal crisis or turning point. I'll know. Randy's message will find the right recipient.
This book is a very large gift in its compact, neatly bound actuality. It is a gift of hope and affirmation.
Two weeks ago I said good-bye to a friend and business colleague who at 58 died of pancreatic cancer. His was a more private passing, but nevertheless he fought the disease until the disease won, and he died with dignity. Two days before his death, he called a mutual friend to wish this friend good luck with minor corrective surgery. Even two days before death, my stricken friend was thinking of others' welfare. As I sat in his memorial service with 300 other mourners, watching a slide presentation of his photographs and original art, I also thought about Randy Pausch. The two personalities mixed together because they share so many of the same qualities: creativity, gusto for living, a sense of humor, lifelong dedication to giving back to their communities, and a profound faith in personal power.
This is the story of The Last Lecture: that we can face any challenge in this life as long as we welcome our fate with optimism and determination to confront all odds. We can live for the welfare of others.
The good professor is his own metaphor. In this final gift, he both teaches and does.
Much will be said about this book and its immediate iconic impact on a nation experiencing the doldrums of war, economic turmoil and loss of standing among other nations. Here in the story of one American sharing the wisdom of our universal humanity, our fragility, our mortality. Here's one of our best and brightest.
In the ways of passionate storytellers, Randy Pausch and coauthor Jeffry Zaslow tell us how to achieve the most vital of all human yearnings: realization of childhood dreams. Within this narrative are timeless lessons of showing gratitude, setting goals, keeping commitments, tolerating frustration, maintaining a sense of humor in the face of adversity, telling the truth, working hard, celebrating victories when they arrive, and choosing to be a fun-loving Tigger over a sad-sack Eeyore.
Life is short, much shorter now for this professor. And this "last lecture" is no less significant for the young and healthy as it is for the sick and old.
Dream big, reach for the stars now.
A true inspiration September 16, 2008
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
Pausch spoke about "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" living not only your dreams but enabling the dreams of others. This coming from a man who had just found out he was dying so he speaks of "seizing every moment" (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think") he really knew what he was speaking about.
"The Last Lecture" is not a book about dying, it is a book about living. The book is filled with warmth, humor, and was truly inspiring. Another book I really enjoyed reading is Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by Ariel & Shya Kane, a book of short stories about living in the moment. Both of these books
touched my heart.
A Fantastic Gift June 11, 2008
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
This guy is fantastic! What a gift he has shared with the world, a personal gift to people he will never know. He speaks from his heart with a genuine love of people and a desire to share with us all his astonishing awareness of what matters in life.
It is a plea of sorts to humanity to have FUN because life is very short, to give of yourself and to take care of the people around you because that is the most incredible legacy a person can leave. He gives us unusual awareness, brought by a terminal disease, that most people never have until they are also in his position, if at all.
Read this book! And if you enjoy this kind of awareness, about living in this moment with fun and generosity, you will love Ariel and Shya Kanes' extraordinary books,
Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment and How To Create a Magical Relationship. They are beautiful, life inspiring books like 'The Last Lecture', that offer us the chance to experience the heightened awareness Mr. Pausch is describing. Many thanks to these three authors.
One of a Kind April 10, 2008
29 out of 34 found this review helpful
When I first heard from Randy that he had pancreatic cancer, I knew that cancer picked the wrong guy to mess with.
The Last Lecture has Randy's timeless insight on living and loving life, though he is also an incredible advocate for pancreatic cancer research. May all the attention being given to the book lead to tremendous support for eradicating this horrible cancer that has a 95% mortality rate within 5 years.
Read this book and watch Randy's lecture on YouTube. As cliche as it sounds, you will never see the world the same way again.
In The Last Lecture, Randy discusses Alice [...], which is a free virtual reality program that makes it really easy to create 3D movies and stories, while learning computer programming. It's great for kids, and adults who are kids at heart. Just like the Last Lecture has helped Randy share with millions of people his philosophy on life, Randy has already helped countless students through providing Alice as a free, fun, challenging, educational program.
I draw these comparisons to pancreatic cancer advocacy and Alice because they exemplify the kind of person that Randy is, and the challenges and legacies he leaves for us. And, since Randy says to "always tell the truth", I believe there is no better way for the world to honor the man than to support these things to which he gives so much.
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