Shelfari: The Site for Books & ReadersShelfari Logo

The Last Lecture
 

The Last Lecture

by Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow

"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... (read more)

Top tags: inspirational,  memoir,  nonfiction,  autobiography,  cancer (all tags)

Readers

Groups

  • Wine-Os Discussion Group
  • Memoir Discussion Group
  • Bookclub Discussion Group
  • Oakton Book Club Discussion Group
  • Weston Book Club Discussion Group
  • Words are our World Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
John_Young
  • Rated 5 stars

“I'm making this book required reading for parents of my third graders. I don't know of many others ways I could help them. After reading his book, I see my job as a teacher differently. It can't just be about the subjects but what the kids learn about themselves as they learn the subjects. That needs to be a bigger priority for me.”

John_Young’s full review »
more reviews »

Didn’t Like It

KimRay
  • Rated 2 stars

“I hate to say this, but I was really disappointed in this book. It seemed self-indulgent and honestly, a bit boring.

To note, it is NOT the lecture that he is so famous for, and don't expect to find a transcript of the lecture in these pages.

I suspect his inspiring points from the lecture just didn't translate into the book - I would suggest watching or listening to the lecture instead.”

KimRay’s full review »
more reviews »
Community:
  • Rated 4.335255 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • B. A.

    b. a. said:

    “As a board-certified Books Oprah Reads Avoidance Treatist, after reading this, it's my duty to immediately become a high-school career counselor and watch Office Space again, or so that was the hope of my grandmother. As a book, the writing is not Pulitzer material. Furthermore, the "with" writer should seek alternate employment immediately, but is presumably laughing all the way to his beachside Bermuda bungalow for mai tais after capitalizing on the phenom. That's respectable. It is, because it's providing a good or service people want. Note to self: People will pay to hear a great story of hope or change. My elderly grandmother presumed this would make me want to become a teacher. Anyhow, let's be honest about someone we've never met. 1) The subject had a good run and knew when his number was up. 2) His kids are cute. 3) Hope is internal, not external. 4) Wisdom sounds foolish. 5) Live every moment as if it's your last, but as the second time around. It's mine because I'm off to sleep. To pay lip-service with fawning to the emotional appeal is to be dishonest, have no standards and reward mediocrity. Peace and good cheer. Also try "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl for something less substantive and more emotional. He's also deceased and was a holocaust survivor. Simon says I'm off to sleep. Oh, that'll be $19.95. Please leave your check under the door.”

    posted Wednesday, August 27 2008
  • zippernek

    zippernek said:

    “Looks like I'm going to be the lone discenter here. I didn't care much for this book. Take away the fact that this is a dying man's final love letter to his wife and family, and this book has little or no value. The writing is sub-standard and the stories/messages are trite at best. Plus, here is a guy with precious few moments left to live and he chooses to spend them in a way that completes his life while it ignores the wishes of his wife. WTF? How much time do you suppose he spent penning the lecture, writing the book and promoting the book that would have been time better spent with his wife and family? Hey, at least they can read about what it would have been like to be with dad. I got the feeling this guy was not a very likable guy before cancer and he didn't little to dispel that rumor with this book or his actions. Hey...but nevermind me...I didn't like Marley and Me either. Guess I've just got a cold heart. ”

    posted Saturday, August 2 2008 ( | view 3 replies )
  • Pearl Y

    pearl y said:

    “I found this book beautiful in it's reminders of "What Matters Most." I also liked the learning that as parents, sometimes do the right things even if we don't know we are thought of as "cool" for that uncharacteristic behaviour.”

    posted Friday, August 1 2008
  • irfan05

    irfan05 said:

    “I read Randy Pausch' book "The Last Lecture" about two months ago and was greatly moved and I bought a few more copies to distribute to my friends. They appreciated it and we discussed it. I even saw him on YouTube
    delivering the lecture. He was really a brave man. The other day when newspapers reported his passing away, my friends and I really wept. Our thoughts go to his wife and three children who have inherited a great legacy. May he rest in peace.”

    posted Thursday, July 31 2008
  • Beth P

    beth p said:

    “I just read that Randy Pausch has passed away. What an amazing life he lead and what a legacy he left for his family and everyone who has read his book or listened to his lecture. I know that I will use what I learned from him to live my life better. Be a Tigger!”

    posted Sunday, July 27 2008
© 2008 Tastemakers, Inc. | Portions of Shelfari.com are Copyright © 1996-2008 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy