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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.

Average Customer Rating:

Simple and sweet

Customer Rating:

I tried very hard to like this little book. I instinctively appreciate Randy and feel sorrow for his plight. He gives the impression as being very much an honorable guy, a good father and the college professor I never had but always wanted. Nonetheless, the book seems to be written for the simple of mind. Perhaps a life with college students had given Randy a fondness for straightforward homilies. There was nothing in the book that is either fresh or profound. The insights presented are Hollywood superficial. The book's constant regressing to Disney, Star Wars, and Star Trek may be attractive to the college student. However, finding weighty insights from the ethos of a Jedi is an effort in futility. The book does give some comprehensible perceptions of the popular academic culture. Through analysis the book shows that the superficial and fallacies of concept of the Hollywood culture can be misconstrued as being full of deep and profound meaning. That being said, there are those that need such metaphors for a life's anchor and for those this book is ideally suited. I hope nothing but the best for Randy and his family. If the reader is looking for a light book that reads like a screen play and isn't too mentally tasking than this is the book for them. If on the other hand the desire is for a profound and penetrating analysis of life's lessons and the meaning of existence than the reader will be disappointed.

This is a must read for EVERYONE!!!!

Customer Rating:

Randy Pausch is an incredible human being. Most people faced with his diagnosis would sink into a big pit of self pity. He was amazing before he became infamous with his Last Lecture and even more so now. This book (and his actual lecture) will put your life in perspective. This book provides a little insight to one of the world's true role models. We should all strive to be like him. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. He'll have you laughing through your tears and leave you going WOW!

The Last Lecture	Customer Rating:
Randy Pausch is so inspiring. I think everyone should read this book. If the world followed his philosophy what a great, positive and happier place the world would be. If I am ever faced with a terminal illness I hope I can be 1/10 as positive as he is.

Must read - all ages, especially H.S./College Seniors, and Retirees

Customer Rating:

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	Customer Rating:
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.