Tuesdays with Morrie: 20th Anniversary Edition

Tuesdays with MorrieMitch Albom is a friendly sort of average insightful guy in regards to the Human Condition. And when we, mere mortals, out here read his works - it touches the average man/woman and young person with an intensity that makes us actually think and consider various inner convictions and ideals. I see no need to fill volumes of worthless pages with iconoclastic rambling rhetoric to relate such a simple story as this or please those with a self-righteousness condescension to anyone who likes them that makes their negative reviews completely suspect. To those who find it too simplistic to be meaningful it would seem they are among those "useful idiots" identified in recent literature.Before hitting the send button...I usually sit and ponder the book holistically for its intrinsic value and effect on me and others that might be willing to give it a chance.And that is why I am completely taken aback by the negative reviews of the Albom books especially "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" created by him and also how they compare that work to this one or this to another so poorly. It is just mind boggling how anyone can herald one with positive praise and then the other with negativism or treat both of them as miserable failures.And my lord, the extremes on these book reviews for this simplistic series of thought provoking submissions seem to go from Condemnation as if it were the words of Satanic himself - to the other extreme that Mitch's words are Angelic Music playing in some mystical background. Yet in truth neither is correct or `spot-on'.His revelations are in no way negative but neither are they divinely found in the cosmos floating around like free spirited thoughts of Godlike omnipotent creatures that can be trapped with a butterfly net of Morrie's death. Certainly we can find these concepts and self-discovered truths throughout history and literature that he found near death - `everywhere' - and even in the pew book holders of our local churches; if we bothered any more to investigate that great guide to spiritual well being and the great light of truth. It is called "The Bible".But if you do not like that - there are thousands of equally profound writings to be sure. But wow, can't some of these people just read a short story for what it is? My goodness, if one can find wisdom in a newspaper peanuts cartoon - or in Beadle Bailey or Garfield - surely one can give Mr. Albom some slack here!Of course most of the negatives are obviously political, anti-religious and socially engineering motivated haters, who are morally challenged, self-centered, jealous egotist of the left persuasion, or at least they would seem so. A in reverse the other side is too ready to praise a mere simple story of death as prophetic in nature.For my part I am on the side of the Angels however because "To be cursed by the devilish hate-mongers who seem to hate everything about this book, and Mitch or anyone else who puts their fingerprints on its pages - Is to be truly blessed" in the words of `Kwai Chan Cane' in the old film "Kungfu".Most of us are in the middle of that "pulling in opposite directions" thing Morrie speaks of in the book. These Albom books are not classics, not epics nor are they the voice from the burning bush - for Pete's Sake. No one expects them to be...except the naysayers. I am no fan of the Oprah Winfrey minion squads who live and breathe on her every word or whim. Nor do I run out and buy her book recommendations. I did not even know until I read a negative review she had anything to do with it. And if you really want to attack someone for making a buck off of pain and suffering - try her and her buddy Dr. Phil!These books do tend to take people to places where they do not want to go or fear to go - and they force them to go there if you give them a chance and read them through. They make you think of mortality, death, disease, deterioration of one's senses and flesh, of loss and tragedy and heaven and what comes after life and how we live, interact and conduct ourselves while here on this earth and if it is in its own simple way or through simple tales and stories...SIMPLE...so what?In some cases they take us to places that find Morrie being a downright scoundrel in his younger years to one group - and a hero to another. Radicalism on one hand makes him into a fraud to the reality of fundamental truths and real intellectual civilized awareness and to honorable insight - and makes him look like an unprofessional buffoon. And yet on the other hand a driving force for social change in his own mind; some of it good and a lot of it bad from my read and his generation helped cause the destruction of civil society in the process.Yet one senses that Morrie was simply human and had everyone else's flaws and weaknesses and he was almost like an "Absent Minded Professor" in some respects and in some of the chapters. And in one...he actually fit the bill where the author calls him "Foolishly Naive" in "The Professor Part II".But this book and Albom's others are easy, enjoyable reads. Yes, saddening in a sort of good way - and fascinatingly thought provoking and interesting in others. This one challenges you inside and out to just step back and take a look at your own life, your actions and in actions and do what Socrates thought was so important in life; to do some Self-Examination when he wrote; "The Unexamined life is not Worth Living!" -That great thinker set the stage for a great mental process - many hundreds of years beyond his own time for people like Mitch Albom and others - who would, on their own initiative, use these philosophies to give us pause in our present lives to make us question just what it is that drives us and what it is that is really the foundation of importance to each of our souls, spirits, everyday lives and for our individual well-being.It is simply pure and unadulterated boulder dash, poppycock and simpleton rubbish to evaluate/review his books badly. The Neanderthals and hypocrites out there - need you to discard anything `heaven like' or `God Fearing' or `spiritual' and only accept a work that avoids these essentials, almost cowardly sometimes in heir manipulative intent to steer around any in depth discussion of these profound questions or force others to detour away from these subjects even when contemplating the mysteries of the Cosmos, the Universe, Life and what comes afterwards.This work is simply - just as good and moving as its brothers or sisters I.E. "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" or "For One More Day". It is not better, it is not worse, it is not superior in any way and it is not the most monumental epic story ever told! It is just a good book, a good tale, a good story and a book that makes you say, within your own heart, mind and soul -"Wow, how would I spend my last days, weeks or months - if I had such a disease or knew my approximate day of death?" And what will it be like - when - I in whatever form I become - float off into that hidden world of existence in realms beyond the skies?A magnificent assertion that Morrie was right about however is that - "Most people do not want to discuss dying or they inwardly believe they are not going too!"For me the best chapter in this book was "The Eighth Tuesday" when they discuss the evils of - and the quest for money and power; because the exchange of a true loving hug of friendship is worth more than "Gold Pressed Platinum" or even the "Power of that supercilious - Ted Turner".I am reading all of this Author's works and they mean a great deal to my thought process recently and more to me now - as I have just survived my fourth major heart attack and did not expect to live through the ambulance ride to the hospital. So they are having a profound effect upon me; one and all.Each has a special meaning to me and each in a different way. And each has touched a nerve in my soul, my mind, my heart and my thinking and touched me in deep emotional ways. I will continue to read them all with joy and a smile and a questioning heart. I have many books on my shelves some intense, some long, some short like these. I find them all fascinating and always give the author the benefit of the doubt on usefulness."Tuesday's With Morrie" has no more or less identifiable flaws in it - then do any other books from any other author. BUT I LIKE THEM ALL! And if the nay Sayers read them all and pick one over the other and call one dribble for mere politically partisanship, or special interest liberalized nonsense reasons or try to hate bait us into condemning any of them because one touches upon a forbidden idiotic progressive theme of God, country, patriotism, spirituality, religion or heaven or the afterlife - then shame on the reader for interjecting their prejudice, condescending attitudes, mentally and literary challenged minds into it.This is pure and simply a good book! Other readers and reviewers may find this book moving or not but to say it is bad is simpleminded.They are wonderfully written and I find benefit to all the themes of Mitch Albom's books. This one has you again wondering who Morrie would be in my life or better yet "How many Morrie-like persons were there in my adventure in this world and this existence"!Again delightfully thought provoking and I thank the author for expanding my imagination, my intellectual pondering and for sharing his vision through Morrie about some of life's many questions - with the world."The Five People You Meet in Heaven" - The best so far"Tuesdays with Morrie" - Second BestI am now already - "For One More Day".JPL

I normally read Spy Thriller novels and historical books. I recently read Mitch Albom’s “ The First Five People You Meet in Heaven “ and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not really religious but definitely spiritual. Based on that book, I decided to read “Tuesdays with Morrie”. I’m very glad I did. Both my wife and daughter don’t want to read this book because death would make them sad and uncomfortable. Actually that is why you should read this book!While I don’t agree with everything the author says, I’m a fairly conservative person, I agree that we need to look inside ourselves and understand what is really important. Money and power aren’t everything in life and you can’t take either with you. However we should note that part of the reason he wrote this book was to help pay Morrie’s medical bills.

Loved this book. I saw the production for the first time a few months back and had to buy the book. Very well written and very heartfelt. Just buy it, you will not regret this one.

A reporter ends up interviewing his old professor who is on the way out of life.A pleasant read despite the topic, of an older man whose courage and brevity teaches the younger man how to face truth and enjoy life simultaneously.

This book, I had heard of years ago, lived up to all the expectations. Instructional, heartwarming, and brings tears to your eyes on more than a few pages. Read it.

Not knowing what to expect, this book will leave you a better person.

Loved this book - I devoured it in two days. It was the perfect short and sweet book that covered so many of life's questions in an approachable, digestible fashion. The book wove seamlessly between the overarching narrative around Mitch and Morrie's Tuesday sessions, mini-stories within each session and past memories. Makes you really sit back and reflect on your own life and what is meaningful to you.

Easy to read format / true insight in what things in life are important !

"Everyone knows they re going to die,' he said again, 'but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently. The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.""Tuesdays with Morrie" is one of the most beautiful book I’ve read in a long, long time. This book truly inspired me.The author, Mitch Albom, narrates his series of weekly meetings with his Professor from his graduate days. Professor Morrie and Mitch have beautiful conversations on aging, death, money, emotions, family etc which impart life changing lessons. With each issue discussed, you feel a sort of connection with Mitch’s situation and thus Morrie’s lessons don’t end up becoming teachings to Mitch alone.This book is much more than just a dying man's last words. It will put you on an emotional rollercoaster. And in this era of materialistic possessions, this book will bring you a little closer to life. It is simple, engaging and beautiful. In just 200 pages it says so much more than those 1000 page epics.It will always be one of my favorite books.

I’m just done reading this book, and this is one of those books where I find myself agreeing with the positive reviews and the negative reviews with almost equal enthusiasm. On one hand, you have a relationship between a student and his dying professor, who has seen life and its meaning, and who is ready shower the student with a lot of wisdom (so he can make millions off selling the book, maybe). You know, it is such an irony, where Morrie talks about money and how it shouldn’t be a priority in life when there are other more important things in life. And then there’s Mitch, picking the conversations, making a book, and making a fortune out of it. I find it really funny. It’s like creating a capitalistic empire by selling the ideas of Karl Marx in a book!Anyway, the way everything is described in the book seems like such an ideal world, where everything can be pasted on a greeting card and sold off. Everything is extremely dramatic and prolonged, and filled with clichés like ‘Love conquers everything’ (Oh really, I never heard that one before!)Definitely, this book is ‘nice’. You know, that feeling of goodness, happiness mixed with a bit of sorrow, where you read things and the world seems like a better place because the words touch as they describe an ideal way of living, an ideal life, and defines the true meaning of life. Well, you get that feeling reading this book, right from the first page.‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ definitely encourages the reader to stop and think about what is important in life. However, I think it falls short in giving any new insights over the subject. It does tell you how to figure out life’s meaning or priorities for your own self, it will not help you in achieving that balance in life where you live like there’s no tomorrow, while simultaneously being aware of your future responsibilities.Morrie was a great guy, a nice guy. He has great things to say throughout the book. Almost half the book can be simply picked up and passed on as a profound quote against a beautiful background and would make up for a great greeting card. The book is not really a story, but more like a conversation between a student and his dying teacher. Many parts, where Morrie talks about the real meaning of life, about giving, about love, about sharing the happiness, it really touches your heart and you would definitely feel the emotion. However, the message from the first page is pretty simple and nothing new - “Surround yourself with loved ones and know what is important, and don't get caught with money and business. We have heard that a million times!”. Well, everybody knows that, nothing new.Some sections in the book, I did not like at all. For instance, Morrie’s views on marriage or having children. Well, these are things very subjective to each individual.Some of my favorite quotes from the book:- “Well, for one thing, the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We're teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it. Create your own. Most people can't do it.”- “Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.”- “Don’t cling to things because everything is impermanent.”- “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”- “Life is a series of pulls back and forth... A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. Most of us live somewhere in the middle. A wrestling match...Which side wins? Love wins. Love always wins”- “This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It's knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work.”- “If you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down on you anyhow. And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. The status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone.”- “There is a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need...you need food. You want a chocolate sundae.”To conclude, It’s a light read and a short book, you can pick it up and finish over a weekend. Some people will just love it, while more mature readers might think it otherwise. Cheers!

This book has moved me immensely and its teachings will stay with me. I remember Mr Hillis, my form teacher for a mere two years, who was a Morrie sort. Even decades after leaving school, he is the teacher that I feel lucky to have had during two very important years As I headed towards my teenage years. As I age, I know that this is the type of book that I should be reading, to give me clarity in life. In this world of greed and lack of humanity, we need more Morries.

This book is beautiful. The relationship between Mitch and Morrie is heartwarming, thought provoking and poignant. There discussions on love, death and family resonate, especially having lost my mum, this book validates the uniqueness of a loving relationship. It’s my go to book for comfort, reflection and confirmation of love during and after loss. I cannot recommend this book enough, irs truly special

I first read this book years ago and although the details slowly left me, the memory of loving it stayed with me. So when our book club picked it I was happy to read it again. Wow, how I could have forgotten this amazing book is beyond me. Maybe because I was 25 years younger then, which says a lot more about me than anything else. This time I have cried and I have laughed and I will not forget. It is a truly wonderful story of the connection between two friends, teacher and pupil. It is a book for everyone.