Editorial Review
"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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Customer Reviews
Beautiful, well-written book about how to live your life 
2008-07-17
This is a beautiful, well-written book from an individual who has just been told that he has 3-6 months to live. Since he is a college professor (on Information Technology) at Carnegie-Mellon, he has been asked if he is interested in giving a last lecture. He agrees. This lecture can be found on the web. However, this book shares some of his main thoughts on his life that were shared in the lecture including what were the important experiences and what were the important behaviors that he was proud of. He wrote the book and completed the lecture as a memory of himself to his children so that it can used for them to remember him. At many levels, this book is worth the read - to learn about him and his experiences and to learn how we should live our lives.
A Great Memoir 2008-07-17
Many of us tend to drift through life, watching a lot of TV, wasting time in long lines, dealing with "squeaky doors" but not thinking much about how what we do today helps our long term goals and priorities. It usually takes a serious wake-up call for us to realize how precious life is.
Randy Pausch got such a wake-up call. Although he seemed really healthy on the outside, and was a brilliant professor, doctors found that cancer was attacking his systems. He had only a 5% chance of surviving more than five years. He fought the cancer aggressively, but soon it traveled to other parts of his body and his doctors were giving him 3-6 months of healthy living. This is a man who, after waiting a while for marriage, had a family of three small children. Coincidentally, Randy was also asked by his school to give a "last lecture". These lectures are traditional speeches where a teacher tells the audience what knowledge he'd want to impart if he was going to die soon. Since Randy was in fact going to die soon, it made the meaning that much more powerful to him.
Randy's lecture was videotaped and spread like wildfire on YouTube. This book is in essence a follow up to that talk. It describes the context for the talk, and goes over some of the background details for it, but it also expands and offers much more information about Randy, his life and his philosophy.
The key message here is to live in the present, to enjoy what you have. There are always stumbling blocks in life, brick walls that you run into. Your task is not to complain about them, but to barrel your way through. Show your commitment to your dreams and goals. Don't waste your time watching repeats of TV shows when your life-long dream is to run a bakery. Spend your time researching, planning and heading towards that goal. If you have always wanted to hike in the Grand Canyon, don't dismiss it while you spend your extra hours playing video games. Map out a budget, take on a second job, and save up the money. You would be very surprised at how many goals are actually within reach if you focus on them.
You could say that Randy's message is one we've read before, hundreds of times, in other similar books. Sure, that is probably true. However, each of us responds to different language, to different mental images. It might be that someone read 10 other books on similar topics and didn't "get it" - but when they read this one suddenly it clicks. That's the way our brains are. There is always something new to learn from each person's story if we pay attention. Randy's message is to really enjoy the good things you have, rather than obsessing about the problems. We all have blessings in our lives, if we look honestly at our world.
I really like how Randy talks about the students he's influenced, and how they go on to influence others. That is so key in our world. If we are able to lead by example, and help others get onto a healthy path, that causes ripple effects that can go on for years. It is so worthwhile to take the time to help out others. You never know what small gesture will really affect someone's life.
Is this an "ultimate book"? I wouldn't say that. However, it has valuable information in it, and I definitely would recommend that people at least borrow it from the library and read through it. It's a healthy reminder of what is important in life.
Highly recommended!
Truly inspirational! 2008-07-17
This book is inspiring! It was so funny and easy to read! I couldn't put it down once I started! Everyone should read it and watch the videos on YouTube!
Incredibly overrated 
2008-07-16
It has been a long time since I've come across a book that disappointed me so much. I believed all the hype and was ready to cry my eyes out, but it just never happened. There's a certain amount of value in the book ... obviously I sympathize with Mr. Pausch and his family. However, most of the little vignettes are boring and just illustrate how smart and lucky he is; and everything else has been said a thousand times before. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (remember that one?) came to mind on numerous occasions.
A little too familiar, but inspiring just the same 
2008-07-16
I don't know about myself sometimes. Far be it from me to blatantly ignore the deep thoughts of a dying man, but while "The Last Lecture" certainly is packed with life lessons and humerous observations and teachings, it seems that the only thing that makes it special is that Dr. Pausch is dying. Which I suppose lends itself a certain importance (I respectfully say) and I was touched by the reasons he published the lecture in the fashion. But when it comes right down to this, these thoughts are still nothing I have not before heard.Even so, they are good. Pausch writes with personality, as I imagine he would speak. His passions are clear and he shows no fear in speaking about what he believes. His points are quick, with no emotional dragging to wear down the reader. He does not sound like a university professor, but someone common, with whom I would be friends. I think this is the main charm of the book.A great treatize life.
Must read - all ages, especially H.S./College Seniors, and Retirees 2008-07-22
I am an eight year cancer survivor and was deeply moved by Randy Pausch's You Tube lecture, as well as this book. Randy gets personal and shares what I feel are invaluable life lessons that we all should live by, whether we are terminally ill or not. It is all about attitude and choices. All ages need to read. It puts your life in perspective. I believe that kids can really see what their future could be as workers, professionals, parents, etc. and what they can pass on to their kids.... I buy this book for friends that are graduating, retiring, etc. I plan on recommending to our school system to be required reading... My prayers are with Randy and his precious family, as I know what a cancer diagnosis can bring. My husband lost his first wife from cancer and his kids were 9 and 13 at the time. Life is a gift. Live in the present and use your gifts to the fullest.
Uplifting, Encouraging, Succinct 
2008-07-21
Although I had expected a print version of the Pausch live last lecture, this little book of uplifting life lessons was a surprise and equally inspiring. I have suggested it for my book club during a season when we are otherwise busy and need a quick read.
This Is A Book That Should Be Bought Not Borrowed 2008-07-21
Don't use a highlighter in a library book. This is a book that should be bought not borrowed. There are so many life lessons and words of wisdom that you find yourself wanting to highlight sections to come back to, to ponder the simplicity of words and the deeper meaning that they portray.
Randy Pausch has terminal pancreatic cancer. He has 3 to 6 good months left. He has 3 very young children, two of which will grow up with no true memories of him. A wife that is strong and yet terrified, a family that wants to spend every last moment with him, but yet Randy must put on his final lecture. The one that each professor has, the last one that will portray who and what they have learned and become.
Randy chooses "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" as his theme, not what you would assume a computer geek to pick.
There are so many laugh out loud moments that you begin to question if it's appropriate to laugh at a dying man, but I think that is the point, life is funny, those moments that make us what we are, are humorous. Without being preachy or religious Pausch leads us through his life, and how with a little imagination you can achieve your childhood dreams and leave a great legacy to you children at the same time.
Excellent advice for everyone 2008-07-20
Heartfelt advice for everyone. I will be sharing this book with all of my children ages 25, 21 and 9. Randy's words will live on. A must read for teachers.
amazing! 2008-07-18
This book is amazing! It shows how we take life for granted everyday. It made me laugh, it made me cry, but what it did most was truly inspire me to not worry about the little things.
