#BookReview–> The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

What will you say? 
What is it that you will convey
to your loved ones, friends and colleagues before you die?
What wisdom will you impart to
the world if you knew it was your last chance to do so?

When Randy Pausch,
a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a
lecture he didn’t have to imagine himself dying as he had been recently
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had only a few months to live.

 Randy, a
dying man, wanted to leave a legacy for his children, a guide that would help
them achieve their dreams, a medium to know their father who would soon be dead
and not be a part of their lives….
So he did what he
was good at. Being a professor, he lectured and named it “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”.

 “If I were a painter,
I would have painted for them. If I were a musician, I would have
composed music. But I am a
lecturer. So I lectured.”

It’s a touching
journey and a last lecture that will force you to re-evaluate your life…

He was faced with
the challenge to deliver a lecture which would be his last offering to everyone
and that is what it became. An unforgettable legacy to people around the world
about living your life to the fullest, enjoying each moment, achieving your
dreams and adopting a never say die attitude.

Randy aptly named
his last lecture as “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” which
was not about dying but about overcoming obstacles in your life, achieving your
dreams while enabling the dreams of others, seizing each opportunity you get to
make a memory because “time is all you have… and you may find one day
that you have less than you think”.

As he said, “We cannot change the cards we
are dealt, just how we play the hand”  and
that’s what he did. He played the cards that were dealt to him to the best of
his capabilities. Although he was dying but Randy was giving death a run for
its money by not letting himself succumb to the grief, hopelessness and sadness
associated with his condition. He was living his life, was busy creating
memories with his kids and wife and preparing his family for a life after his
death.

This book is a
legacy for his children as well as for everyone. It acts as an eyeopener to the
fact that life is unpredictable and while we have it we should be grateful and
never have any regret in our lives. He has combined his wisdom with humor,
intelligence, inspiration and a moral that will be shared for generations.

“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And
experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.”

The experiences,
situations, the decision phases that he faced feel valid for our lives also.
The morals, conclusions, wisdom give a solution to some or the other situation
that we faced or might be facing.
The story is
saddening but inspiring and leaves you feeling sad for the family and for Randy.
I also felt
cheated, cheated of an opportunity to interact with this terrific guy because I
got to know of this book and about him too late. He had already left this
world. 🙁

Randy proved that
no matter what card he was dealt he was capable to taking the best of it. He
was a man who is an inspiration and will continue to inspire all through his
book to go out there and succeed. Work hard and “Dreams will come to you”.

This
is a book that moved me immensely and made me re-evaluate the choices that I
was making. It inspired me to take chances and work hard to achieve my goals
and even if I fail at least have the satisfaction of having tried.

The Last
Lectureis a must have on everyone’s book list and is a compelling
story of a dying man who lived thirty years in a matter of a few months. He
enjoyed life till the very end and even in death came out a winner who never
quit.

I give The Last Lecture a 5 on 5. An ultimate guide on how to live
your life, I strongly recommend it to everyone.