Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Last Lecture
Chapter 2: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Chapter 3: Adventures . . . And Lessons Learned
Chapter 4: Enabling The Dreams of Others
Chapter 5: It's About How to Live Your Life
Chapter 6: Final Remarks
Acknowledgements
"The Last Lecture" series at Carnegie Mellon is an opportunity for outgoing professors to impart their life lessons to an audience of students, peers, and guests. It usually makes the audience consider their own lives and to wonder if they had one chance to make an impact on a diverse audience, what would they say? Randy Pausch, professor of computer science and human-computer interaction (read: virtual reality) and design, was given the opportunity to present a "Last Lecture" shortly after discovering that he had terminal pancreatic cancer. The Last Lecture doesn't contain the text of his speech but rather expands on it. And in the process, he has created a legacy for his children and an inspirational book for the rest of us. Starting with his thought process on accepting the invitation to present and ending with personal notes to his wife and children, Pausch reviews his life and the lessons he has learned. The value of the book isn't that you are required to radically change your life to achieve happiness, but to make little changes. These changes are presented in a clear and informative manner, using his experience to solidify the point. This is a very effective teaching method.
A small book, but one that should be on your bookshelf. I can see myself referring to this book many times over the years. Whether I re-read it or use it as a reference, it holds much value. If you are looking for a gift to thank an educator, this is the book that you should give. Pausch has very specific ideas on the role of educators, and those ideas are found throughout the book. It is, in my mind, a refreshing view of education and teaching objectives. Pausch recognizes the value of feedback and provides several techniques, not only for managers but for teachers and professors as well. Good or bad, feedback is key to the growth of students and employees. Another idea that has resonated with me when Randy speaks of being earnest. "Earnestness is highly underestimated. It comes from the core, while hip is trying to impress you with surface." This is a message about doing something for the generations instead of for the moment. His example is the achievement of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. This award is one where in your later years continues to impress people. It is, as he writes, one of the very few things a 16 year old can achieve that still has merit at age 50. While I have specifically noted several points in the book, there are many more that you will find valuable, useful, and motivational.
But the best part of the book is when he relates touching anecdotes from his life; his parents, meeting, dating, and marrying his wife, the birth of his children and the dreams that he has for them. This book will have an effect on me for long time. Not only for the excellent inspiration but for the life that it celebrates. With Randy Pausch's assistance, you, too, can achieve your childhood dreams.
As a bonus, here is the video of Randy's speech (viewed by over 8 million people). It is worth the 76 minutes of your life to watch.
Technorati tag: book review Randy Pausch The Last Lecture
Comment posted by francie02/06/2009 08:21:52 AM
Homepage: http://blog.visitusinanguilla.com
Oh wow, I actually bought this book, which is a huge accomplishment in and of itself because:
a) we don't have book stores in Anguilla
b) most stuff I mail order doesn't ever make it here
c) I don't exactly have a lot of time to read
With that said, I've been a bit afraid to read this book, actually, and am taking this blog post as my universal sign to do just that.
Thanks!
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred02/06/2009 03:46:20 PM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
@Francie: I think that you will enjoy it. I've been recommending it to a lot of people, as it isn't like your normal "self help/inspirational" book. It's different. It's better. And for people in the education area, including trainers, I think it holds ever more value. Let me know if you liked it.
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