The Last Lecture

Locations
Call Number: 921 Pausch, Randy
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	921 Pausch, Randy	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	921 Pausch, Randy	4-week checkout	Due 05-21-2024

Reflections of a Carnegie Mellon computer science professor who lectured on "Really achieving your childhood dreams," shortly after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. His advice concerned seizing the moment while living, rather than dying.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Much better than I expected submitted by Annimatronic on March 9, 2010, 7:02pm Randy Pausch was married and had three small children when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the most devastating diagnoses one can receive. He had already been diagnosed when Carnegie-Mellon University, where he worked, asked him to be a part of their running series ironically called “Last Lectures” (they had changed the name to “Journeys” before offering a slot to Pausch ).
The book not only covers the content of Pausch’s speech but also includes his personal history and the process of putting the lecture together. This makes the book seem unorganized at times. Ironic, since Pausch talks often about how he is an organized and rational person.
Despite the fact that the content of the book is a look back on a dying man’s life, The Last Lecture is an enjoyable read. Pausch writes in a conversational and witty manner while remaining succinct enough to keep this a short read.
What I found intriguing was that while Pausch and myself are vey different people (very, very different), many of his personal philosophies were similar to mine. This, for me, provided the most hope. Though most certainly, others will find it in the courage in which the author faces his own death.
Pausch is really less of an optimist and more of a realist, so his optimism is grounded by the fact that he has made his own happiness. This is what separates The Last Lecture from other books of its ilk. Pausch’s is less a lecture than a fully realized illustration of a life well lived.

Some life lessons from a dying man submitted by tbbrown76 on June 26, 2018, 9:33am Fantastic view of life. Great story. A must read. 5/5
Tom

The Last Lecture submitted by Varshini on August 16, 2019, 10:47pm I can’t even explain in words how inspirational this book is. “The Last Lecture” has left a lasting mark on my perspective ever since I read it. I learned a very important life lesson. The TED talk actually exists, so I recommend watching it after reading the book. 5/5 stars!

Better As TEDTalk submitted by cdfine on August 2, 2022, 10:33am I would actually recommend just watching the lecture / TED Talk rather than reading the book. The talk is a lot more dynamic versus the book confused me a little bit with the tone and I sometimes missed the humor/sarcasm in his words. Otherwise poignant read.