David Menasche (–2014)

Being standard-level critical of a cancer patient's memoir is generally "not done", but I guess that's who I am.

This is not a very good book. Merely getting cancer doesn't turn someone into a good, inspirational, or even interesting person.

Somehow this book managed to blend "generic cancer memoir" and "gratingly annoying author".

I think I originally added this book to my list based on Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture". That's an excellent book, and was written by a great person. Read that book show more instead (and watch the youtube video of the lecture). Skip this one. show less

I heard this as an audiobook. My appreciation of the story was hampered by the stilted reading. Menasche sounds like an incredible teacher, and I'm always on the lookout for information on how to be a good teacher. However, the (sidebars?) comments by students on how great a teacher he was overwhelmed the story. I was glad to hear that he chose to discontinue therapy after 6 years of side effects. Too many people follow Dr's decisions and give up their right to die with some semblance of a life.

My lower score for this book is reflective of my expectations of the book than the actual writing. It is actually a well written book. This is the story of a teacher, David Menasche who is diagnosed with brain cancer. Mr. Mensche loved teaching and he was quite popular and made a great influence with many of his former students. After he was nearly blind and his health had deteriorated and could no longer teach he decided to take an adventure by traveling to meet some of his former students. show more The title of the book came from one of his class assignments where he would ask students to make their own lifes priority list. This is the story of his struggle with cancer and those meetings with former students. show less

Unique way of connecting with his former students who all seem eager to connect with him once he is ill. Wife seems to be really disconnected . Whatever happened to ... Till death do us part! Read this book in one Sunday afternoon!!