The Last Lecture (original 2008; udgave 2008)

I listened to this on audio. What an amazing book. I cried throughout, but especially during the last three or so chapters, when he was talking about how he was preparing for his death, what he was doing for his wife and children. Makes you want to go home and hug all of your family. And maybe never let go. ( )

Pausch's Last Lecture is one of the most inspirational lectures ever given (watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo). This book is the story of giving that lecture, and is a great companion (not sure if it should be read before or after watching the lecture, though.) Both are worthwhile. It is solidly on the "inspirational" vs. "maudlin" side.

(While this part is widely known, here it is again: Pausch, a CMU professor focused on HCI and VR, detailed how his childhood goals have largely been accomplished, and uses those to provide guidance on how best to live a productive life. He prepared and gave the lecture after a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis.) ( )

One of the most amazing books I have ever read. Funny, brilliant, moving and genuinely emotional, if you don't cry a little bit at the end you might be a robot. Words, and thoughts, to live by; to live every day to its fullest by, really. ( )

If there is ever a time to stop and smell the roses, it would be upon completing this book. The message sent is poignant yet humble.
Pausch's "Last Lecture" is a triumph of the best mindset contained within the human spirit. A mixture of life advice and autobiography, Pausch pours his heart out into this text to better all of us, his readers. I consider this to be the most inspirational book I' 've ever read. This man was truly down earth, a nice person. I especially was inspired by his positive outlook on life even after he knew how sick he was and liked how he left a legacy for his wife and young children.
Those are some quotes that stayed with me from this book:
1) “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough, they’re there to stop the other people.” (pg.174)
2) “It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life... If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.” (pg.205-206)
3)“Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier.” (pg.139)
I wrote many more in my quote notebook, It is a fantastic book, and I encourage everybody to read it if you haven't read it. ( )

Short read. As someone else on here said - "inspiring but far from mind blowing". For what it is, which is a rememberance of the author for his children, it's a warm and positive one. ( )