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I knew the inspiring story behind "The Last Lecture" and had watched clips of the professor on line but I finally read his book.

Randy Pausch, a computer programmer and teacher at Carnegie Mellon, touched millions.

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007.  Doctors said he had 3-6 months to live.  Professors often give Last Lectures as they retire.  Randy Pausch did it because he was dying.  The lecture really would be his last. 

He called it: "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."  He talked about wanting to play professional football -- about someday working with the creative folks at Disney World -- and experiencing zero gravity.

He offered up a few life lessons such as how he once poured a Coke into the seat of his convertible to prove to his niece and nephew that things aren't important, people are.

He wrote about how his wife questioned whether he should even be committing the time to such a lecture when he knew his days were numbered with their 3 children.

He gave his lecture a month after his diagnosis.  He died the following summer - July 2008.

It's a thoughtful, quick, funny and at times, sad read.  I'd recommend it even if you already know the story.

Brian Mastre