The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
The Last Lecture is a book filled with living-life-to-the-fullest advice from a college professor. While to some this might sound as interesting as reading a doctoral dissertation, you’d be surprised.
The author, Randy Pausch, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, writes so well that you’d probably let him teach you about computers too. No one would have faulted him for launching a blast about desperately seizing opportunities in an irrational universe. Instead, Pausch delivered a laugh-filled session of teaching stories about going after your childhood dreams and helping others achieve theirs and enjoying every moment in your life – even the ones that break your heart. Pausch’s philosophy, in brief: “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
Some things he talks about include: remember to laugh, seizing every moment, overcoming obstacles, appreciate the gifts you receive, and enabling the dreams of others. Although the author died this year, his wisdom will no doubt be around awhile in this very enlightening book.