The Last Lecture

Pausch weaves lessons from the classroom into effective life advice that anyone can adopt. In true Eagle Scout fashion, in Chapter 46 he muses on the benefits of being prepared; it’s best to “have a contingency plan for when all hell breaks loose” (161). Chapter 47 focuses on the art of properly apologizing to someone. He asserts that every good apology should include three parts:

• What I did was wrong.
• I feel badly that I hurt you.
• How do I make this better? (162).

In Chapter 48 Pausch reflects on the importance of telling the truth: “honesty is not only morally right, it’s also efficient” (163).

Chapter 49 is about being open to new ways of thinking. Pausch reflects on his transformation from a total black-and-white thinker into someone who has “grown to appreciate that a good crayon box might have more than two colors” (164).

Finally, in Chapter 50 Pausch recalls a childhood memory from a trip to Disney World, when a salt-and-pepper shaker he intended to gift to his parents ended up broken in pieces. His sister encouraged him to ask for another one, even though it was his fault that he broke it. The store gave them another shaker at no cost. He says that salt-and-pepper shaker became worth $100,000, as Pausch’s father decided to continue supporting Disney World because his appreciation for the organization was “on a whole other level” (167).