Based on the extraordinary final lecture by Carnegie Mellon University professor Pausch, given after he discovered he had pancreatic cancer, this moving book goes beyond the now-famous lecture to inspire readers to live each day with purpose and joy.

I'm planning on sending this out as a bookray.

Rules: Not many. Please journal the book's arrival and departure. And please keep it moving by keeping it no longer than 4 weeks. The last person is free to release the book as they wish.


1. Qantaqa - Germany (Europe)
2. contraforsa - Greece (Europe)
3. Hayes13 - Italy (Intl)
4. criminologeek - Hong Kong
5. ravencat- US (Intl)
6. cyber-librarian - US (NA)
7.

Starting its journey on June 5th! Happy travels!

After a very long journey (the book probably swam across the ocean by itself :)), the book finally arrived yesterday. Thanks a lot for offering this as a ring - I'm really looking forward to reading it! Will try to be quick.

I finished the book this morning. Afterwards, I looked up some facts about the book on the internet and found out that Randy Pausch died one year ago today. Feels kind of strange that the person who wrote this amazing book is now dead...
Still, I have to admit that while reading the book, at times I would ask myself: would I like this book (or this part of it) that much if it wasn't written by someone with a terminal disease? (I guess it's kind of like not wanting to speak badly of a deceased person.) For the most parts, it was a very inspiring book, though not quite as good as "Tuesdays with Morrie". Some of the advice Mr. Pausch is giving in the book I found a little self-evident, maybe even commonplace... Most of all, the book made me feel a little ashamed of myself for being so whiny about the little everyday problems seeing how Mr. Pausch managed to stay completely optimistic and fun-loving even in the face of his illness.
Thanks a lot for this ring! It will continue its journey around the world on Monday.

The book has already arrived some time now, but I have been on holidays until now, I came back only yesterday. I will start reading it right away. Thank you Qantaga for sending it to me and lauraloo29 for the ring!

The book was exactly what I expected it to be, really touching and moving, but above all motivating. I did haave similar thoughts with Qantaga (would I like this book that much if it wasn't written by someone with a terminal disease?). But I think the beauty of the book is exactly the magnitude of the strength transmitted by a person with a terminal disease, who still manages to rise above this fact and celebrate life and still makes the most out of it. It got me wondering why the rest of us don't (well I don't)...
I especially appreciated the part of the "legacy" and self-portrait Dr. Pausch was trying to create for his children. All this effort will really mean a lot to them in the future. And I think that as a message to them, the book is a small treasure.
Thank you lauraloo29 once more for sharing the book. I already have the address of Hayes13, so the book will be traveling to Italy tomorrow.

Arrived this morning. Thank you!!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I was not able to finish this now... not in the right frame of mind.
I will not hold up the ring and when I get a chance will find it in the library.

Thanks for including me in the ring.

Off to Hong Kong.

Received the book safe and sound. Thank you for sharing!

Book sent.
Thanks for sharing.

Book arrived safe and sound from Hong Kong. Thanks criminologeek for the post card. I will get started on this as soon as I finish my current read which shouldn't be more than a few days.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I really enjoyed this book and the ability of Mr. Pausch to come to terms with his diagnosis and leaving a wonderful and inspiring legacy to remember him in death for his wife,children,family and friends. Thank-you lauraloo for sharing this amazing story. Now off to cyber-librarian via USPS Deliv conf. #03091830000234618543. Enjoy the book!!

UPDATE: Delivered by postal service on 1/26/2010.

I picked up this book from my post office box today from ravencat in NY ... as part of this bookray. I'm sorry for the delay, but I've been on pain medicine that has prevented me from driving. But the book was safe and sound in my PO box. I'm excited to start reading it right away!

c. 2008 -- 206 pages -- Hardcover -- 28 weeks on the USA Today top-10 Bestseller list:
#1 on 4/27/08, 5/4, 5/25 and 6/1
#2 on 4/13/08, 4/20, 5/18 and 8/3
#3 on 6/15/08 and 8/10
#4 on 5/11/08, 6/8 and 8/17
#5 on 6/22/08 and 7/27
#6 on 8/24/08
#7 on 8/31/08
#8 on 7/13/08, 7/20, 9/7 and 12/21
#9 on 9/14/08, 9/21, 9/28, 12/14 and 12/28
#10 on 7/6/08 and 11/30

Jacket Flaps: 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 out 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. I 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.

I finished reading this book today. It's a quick read with lots of thought provoking gems. Although the fact that the author is dying from cancer is sad, the book is extremely positive and uplifting. It get you many aspects to examine in your own life.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I'm mailing this book on Tuesday to mickeygirl74 in NC ... as a RABCK off her wishlist.

Received in the mail from cyber-librarian! Thanks.