BOOK REVIEW:Tuesdays with Morrie.

BOOK REVIEW.

 TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.

An Old Man, a young man and life’s greatest lesson.

(Review by Sammy Frank)

AUTHOR: MITCH ALBOM.

GENRE: MOTIVATIONAL.

PAGES: 192.

PUBLISHER: TIME WARNER BOOKS.

Mitch Albom is an accomplished writer with up to six titles to his name. But ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ stands out for its clarity, brevity and its deeply touching message.

The story is true. He did not even have to change the name of the characters. The main character is Professor Morrie, a professor of social psychology at Brandeis University, Massachusetts. He has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an illness of the neurological system. It has no cure and the professor has to face the bitter truth; he is going to die.

“Do I wither up and disappear or do I make the best of the time that is left?”He asks himself and made a profound decision not to wither and be forgotten. He chose to make maximum use of the days remaining in his life. He was to show the world how to face death.

He appears on Ted Koppel’s ‘nightline’ TV program. That’s where Mitch gets to learn of his former professor and friend. He immediately makes reunion with the professor and from the fourteen sessions they hold together, the book is born. They discuss varying issues of life including death, regrets, the world, money, emotions and family. The insight from the dying man will leave an impression on any seeker of wisdom. And Mitch tells the story with measured humor and grace….

At the end of the book, one cannot help but realize the great significance of a mentor in ones life. Or as Mitch calls Morrie, “coach”

Who is your coach?

©Sammy Frank is the pen name for Samuel Mwangi. He is a Chemistry teacher in Kenya. He is currently (March 2011) a student for Msc. Chemistry at The University of Mysore, India. All rights reserved.