Morrie in His Own Words: Life Wisdom from a Remarkable Man - Softcover

Morrie Schwartz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330441841 ISBN 13: 9780330441841

Publisher: Pan Books, 2005

Synopsis

When, at the age of 75, former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz learned that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, rather than withdraw, as many people diagnosed with a terminal disease choose to do, he embraced his illness, choosing to live as fully as possible in the time he had left. Letting Go presents Morrie's remarkable philosophy on living and dying, speaking directly to America's difficulty in letting go of life, with the compassion and pragmatism of one who has been there.

About this title

Review

Preceding the phenomenal success of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, in which Albom discusses his weekly visits with his mentor, Morrie, as Morrie faces death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Morrie Schwartz published his own book, Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections of Living While Dying.

Schwartz intended his words to be read by people dying of terminal illnesses with passages titled ,"Living with Physical Limitations," "Grieving for Your Losses," and "Reviewing the Past." Yet, just as in the case in Tuesdays with Morrie, this collection of plainspoken reflections transcends the "death and dying" category and is more aptly shelved in one's inspiration and spirituality collection.

For example, Schwartz's simple thoughts on courage could speak to any seeker of enlightenment.

"Dealing bravely with physical pain or accidents takes one kind of courage," he writes. "Facing life as it is and accepting it requires another....I have found courage through seeking thoughtfulness, openheartedness, detachment, and other responses that make up a composed life and a calm response to illness....I hope that I can continue in this way to the end so that I die with inner peace.

As it was, on November 4, 1995, Morrie Schwartz died just as he hoped he would.

In 1999, Walker & Company decided to reissue Letting Go under a new title, Morrie: in His Own Words --Gail Hudson

From the Publisher

In Morrie's memory, Walker will contribute a portion of every copy sold of Morrie In His Own Words to the Morrie S. Schwartz ALS Research Fund.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pan Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0330441841
• ISBN 13: 9780330441841
• Binding: Paperback