The Last Lecture Kindle Edition

This is a well written book that leaves you with mind blowing thoughts on how precious life is.

We are all going to die.But how do we really live? What do we really value in life, and more importantly who should we value in life?This book offers many valuable lessons and insights from someone taken way too soon, but who maximized his life for the right reasons in the time he had left. A must read for your library, but more important for your humanity.

I would recommend this book to everyone to read. Young adults should absolutely read this. It is great life advice

First, I'm not a friend, student, or family of Professor / author Randy Pausch.Having read the 1-star, 2-star, and 3-star reviews, I felt a bit shocked. I liked the book much more than other reviewers who criticize the book for having more ego than depth, and less lessons of "the dream"--- minus a demand for a public journey through "My God, where art thou, my God." I don't think Dr. Pausch's book needs to include his personal beliefs about God (whatever those beliefs are--or are not) for this book to impart some lasting wisdoms.Part of the beauty of the slim treasure, "The Last Lecture", is in its brutal simplicity. Sometimes, people need reminded of the basics: Say please and thank-you; Wash your hands before you eat; Don't be purposefully mean--or rude--to others; Play nice; Dream Big; When you lose your dreams, STOP, refind them, enjoy them, LIVE them. Randy Pausch didn't include all those--I think he skipped the "wash your hands" one (LOL). But, he presents short reminders of very basic, simplistic, meaningful rules of living. In today's world of rudeness, meanness, random murders...(etc)..., I don't think these are meaningless topics to include in a person's "last book".Could it have been more in-depth? Yes, I guess so. Yet, if I was dying, would I have the composure to write ANY words of meaning? What would any of us say if we had the chance to write and publish a book? If you could write 10-pages before you die, what would YOU include?Randy Pausch describes "The Last Lecture" as 53 mini-lectures, and I think that is fitting. The book itself, I believe, would make great reading for our children ...pre-teens, teens, young adults... the people who need reminded to have manners, to dream (a lot), and work hard toward those dreams. I'm also quite impressed by the "Alice" Program (computer programming) which Dr. Pausch created.I thought it touching to hear a man describe writing Thank-you notes, even to the hospital workers who have treated him these last months. Too few of us stop to say thank-you. Randy reminds readers how much more meaningful it feels to receive a written thank-you.I chuckled to read about his sewing endeavors-- and how he worked so hard to win the REALLY BIG stuffed animals at fairs---and more importantly, WHY it felt so important to him to win those.This little book makes a big window into the thinking of a big dreamer (a very positive trait), a man intelligent enough to see bigger than most people ever see, and to allow readers to gain just a little understanding of the rules by which one man lived his journey--his life.I do wish Randy Pausch had explained more about how everyday people can use the "head fake" in everyday situations... how people can positively manipulate to achieve positive outcomes in everyday relationships.I think the Professor has much, much more to teach--this book offers the first lessons. Maybe, he'll be able to write book number two-- I hope. I wish I'd been one of his students.Indulge yourself...indulge your "inner child" and buy the book. Or, buy a copy for a teen you know. It's worth the money.

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, a gift of encouragement and courage.Recently 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 shared so many of the same qualities: creativity, professionalism, 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. We can live today with our legacies in mind for the future -- after we are also gone.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 is the story of one American sharing the wisdom of our universal humanity, our fragility, our mortality, and our capacities to transcend. 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. And for adults who believe their dreams have passed them by, this book offers an intuitive methodology to reignite the fires of youthful optimism and fervor.Within this book's 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, a fact affirmed once again with the passing of Randy Pausch on July 25, 2008. 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 great book! Everyone should read this book! How to achieve your childhood dream and dream big! Full of inspiration and emotions! This is a legacy!

arrived in a timely fashion

Everything came out perfect just didn’t like that they added a barcode sticker to the paper back. Won’t be able to remove it without damaging the book.

I had come across this book from an article and I'm glad i did. It has all the advice one should listen and would wanna give the others. I'm definitely going to keep this with me for years to come.

Te ayuda a recordar lo que realmente importa en la vida.Fragmentos que te motivan y te abren los ojos.Una lectura muy agradable y amena.Totalmente recomendable.

In just two days, I devoured this emotionally charged book, where every page is a rollercoaster of feelings. It's a journey through joy and sorrow, wrapped in optimism that shines even in the darkest moments. The author's exploration of overcoming barriers resonates deeply, reminding us that sometimes, the greatest magic lies in the simplicity of asking for help. In a few words, this book encapsulates life's profound truths, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture ist eine bewegende und inspirierende Reise, die den Leser auf eine tiefgründige Reflexion über das Leben und die Werte führt. Das Buch entstand aus Pausch's gleichnamigem Vortrag, den er an der Carnegie Mellon University hielt, nachdem er die Diagnose einer unheilbaren Krebserkrankung erhalten hatte.Die Klarheit und Ehrlichkeit, mit der Pausch über sein Leben und seine bevorstehende Herausforderung spricht, berühren den Leser auf einer persönlichen Ebene. Die Struktur des Buches folgt den wichtigen Lebenslektionen, die Pausch teilen möchte, angefangen bei seinen Kindheitsträumen bis hin zu den erworbenen Erkenntnissen im Erwachsenenalter.Ein herausragender Aspekt des Buches ist Pausch's Fähigkeit, selbst inmitten der größten Herausforderungen Optimismus zu bewahren. Seine Haltung und seine Ratschläge sind nicht nur auf sein eigenes Schicksal beschränkt, sondern bieten universelle Weisheiten, die für jeden Leser relevant sind.Besonders beeindruckend ist die Art und Weise, wie Pausch komplexe Themen auf eine leicht verständliche und humorvolle Weise präsentiert. Die Mischung aus persönlichen Anekdoten, klugen Einsichten und einer Prise Humor verleiht dem Buch Leichtigkeit, ohne dabei die Ernsthaftigkeit der Botschaft zu verlieren.Last Lecture ist kein Buch über das Sterben. Es ist eine Feier des Lebens, eine Aufforderung, bewusster zu leben und die eigenen Träume zu verfolgen. Die Lektionen, die Randy Pausch hinterlässt, sind zeitlos und erinnern den Leser daran, die Werte des Lebens zu schätzen.Insgesamt ist Last Lecture eine bemerkenswerte Leseerfahrung, die den Leser dazu inspiriert, das eigene Leben mit mehr Achtsamkeit und Dankbarkeit zu betrachten. Pausch's Erbe wird nicht nur in seinen akademischen Beiträgen weiterleben, sondern auch in den Herzen der Leser, die durch seine Worte berührt wurden.Anmerkung: Im Internet ist die Last Lecture im Original noch frei verfügbar. Das Video ist ebenfalls sehr zu empfehlen.

Lovely book ~ very insightful and makes you stop and think about what’s really important in life. A must read for everyone.