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 enlarge | Authors: Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
Publisher: Hyperion
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $6.98
You Save: $14.97 (68%)
New (94) Used (26) Collectible (4) from $6.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  389 reviews
Sales Rank: 12
Format: Roughcut
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.3 x 1
ISBN: 1401323251
Dewey Decimal Number: 004.092
EAN: 9781401323257
ASIN: 1401323251
Publication Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: brand new
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| Customer Reviews:
 Interesting to compare to similar books July 2, 2008
Randy (the author) is to be commended for his energy, drive, and passion for living. His thoughts and advice should be beneficial to anyone seeking to life a better life or to those who like Randy face the unfathomable difficulty of a terminal disease.
Randy's focus on achieving childhood dreams is a great premise for the book and should inspire all of us to (1) identify or reacquaint ourselves with our childhood dreams and (2) live to achieve those dreams.
It is very interesting to compare Randy's philosophy and his approach to the time remaining in his life to the philosophy and approach of someone in a very similar situation but very different background.
A few years ago, I read Chasing Daylight by Gene O'Kelly. Gene was CEO of one of the largest companies in the world when he was diagnosed with his terminal disease (and still at a relatively young age) that would claim his life soon after the diagnosis.
Comparing the philosophy these two men (Gene and Randy) took in approaching the time they knew they had left was very insightful.
Randy comes from the world of academia, very logical, with attention very much centered on the teacher/professor who lectures in front students. Gene's background was in business, more specifically, the corporate world and had achieved top leadership in KPMG on of the leading accounting firms in the world.
Randy's approach focused heavily on leaving a legacy for others and for his children. Much of his book describes preparing for his last lecture and the content that was covered in his lecture.
Gene, among other things, decided to have a "Perfect Moment" (a moment of conversation, reflection, or parting) with each of his friends and family. A "Perfect Moment" was different for each, and usually was something simple. He identified his outer circle of friends and wrote notes or had telephone calls. With close friends, he went for a walk with them or had longer, deeper conversations with them. With family, he planned special outing with each member.
Each of us would most likely take our own unique approach if in their situation. Gene, spending a career building business relationships (including playing a lot of golf) chose to bring a certain type of closure to many of his relationships. Randy chose to leave a legacy using the medium he had come to love (teaching/lecturing). Each approach appropriate to its creator.
Both books are a great read and cause one to reflect on life and how well we are living it.
(4 out of 5 rating is given because in Randy's book there was a large amount of "I, I, I" focus in his writing, and it became somewhat of a distraction. Others may think differently, but that's how it seemed.)
 The Last Lecture June 29, 2008
This is an excellent read - I saw the author on TV when he gave the last lecture at the University and there is a lot more substance in the book. it also makes you think long and hard about the legacy that you will leave your children and also is a great example of a fearless person facing the end of his life and putting into words all that he feels improtant to share with the rest of us.
Kudos to the author
Inspirational June 29, 2008
I would recommend this book to ANYONE. This is the most outstanding, inspirational book I have ever read. The message of this book is beneficial for people of all ages.
 WHAT A HODGEPODGE! June 29, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I tried but couldn't get into this book. In fact, I skimmed the last third, even those sections about Randy's wife and kids. All I can make of this book is random memories that have come to the surface and are recorded for posterity without much editing, refinment, or craftmanship. The guy free associates and gets it on paper - which may mean something to him but for me it was a waste of time. I get the feeling that the author is not very insightful or introspective. He wants to leave a legacy but does not have the skill to bring the reader to his presumed emotional level. As a result, the book was surfacy, flat, and lacking any depth at all. As a man with a clearly developed mathematical or scientific brain, he should have called across campus and had an English or humanities colleague collaborate on this memoire. I suspect that the 'sympathy vote' is the only reason this made it to the best seller list.
Imagine you were dying...what messages would you leave? June 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A beloved Professor, given a dire prognosis, challenges us to focus on what is most important in our lives...under the cloak of living the life of our dreams. His zest and enthusiasm for life stands as a shining example and encourages us to push beyond the brick walls that we will inevitably face along our journey. Throughout the book, I found myself thinking: If he can face his situation with such courage, what could I do...if I kept a similar attitude? Perhaps, you will also be motivated to move beyond your situation...and live a fulfilling life!
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