"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
-Randy Pausch
A lot of professors give talks titled "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.
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I received a copy of "The Last Lecture" as a Father's Day gift. My wife and I both liked it so much that we decided to buy copies for each of our five grandchildren and three of our children. The first report back was from our 15-year old granddaughter who read it through in one sitting! Her older sister said she hasn't read it yet because her mom grabbed it to read first as soon as she unwrapped it. It's been very well received by all of those in the family who have read it and we couldn't be happier.
Great book, inspiring! Makes one think about what is really important in life and the legacy one leaves. The author really was prepared to die soon when he gave the lecture and this made a heavy impact on him and a lasting impression on his audience, especially in that his lecture was positive and uplifting.
HaroldP
How often do you shop at Overstock.com? Few times a year
"The Last Lecture" is a book filled with living-life-to-the-fullest advice from a college professor. While to some this might sound as interesting as reading a doctoral dissertation, you'd be surprised.The author, Randy Pausch, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, writes so well that you'd probably let him teach you about computers too. Some things he talks about include: remember to laugh, seizing every moment, overcoming obstacles, appreciate the gifts you recieve, and enabling the dreams of others.Although the author died this year, his wisdom will no doubt be around awhile in this very enlightening book. Other books in this genre I liked include "Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World".
I bought this book as a Christmas Present; my friend has not commented on it's content yet, however - it was a good price. I shopped a few bookstores before deciding to purchase from Overstock. I ordered it and received it within a few days. It was received in great condition.
How often do you shop at Overstock.com? Few times a year
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