Book Title: Tuesdays with Morrie    

Author: Mitch Albom    

Stars (Out of 10): 7

One Word Summary: Touching

Full Review:  

   Tuesdays with Morrie is about a man named Morrie Schwartz who was the author's favorite professor in college but after graduation Mitch was too busy to keep in touch though he often thought fondly of Morrie. Nearly 20 years after graduation Mitch learns that Morrie is suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and he goes to visit his beloved professor.  For the next 14 weeks, until Morrie's death, Mitch visits Morrie on Tuesdays and each time, through the pain and debilitation of this devastating disease Morrie continues to be a teacher. He never feels sorry for himself and is so grateful to be surrounded by so much love including that of his beloved student.  You can't help but be touched by this most unusual man. 

    This book is an incredibly moving portrayal of the relationship between two people who seem so close they could be father and son. On the one hand I was envious of the relationship but on the other I questioned why the author let 20 years go by without even sending a holiday card.  In the end, though, he really made a difference in his
professor's life and vice versa.

    I highly recommend this book.  It's a quick read but you may want to keep the tissue box handy!

Conclusion:  
 

Amazon.com Description:

This true story about the love between a spiritual mentor and his pupil has soared to the bestseller list for many reasons. For starters: it reminds us of the affection and gratitude that many of us still feel for the significant mentors of our past. It also plays out a fantasy many of us have entertained: what would it be like to look those people up again, tell them how much they meant to us, maybe even resume the mentorship? Plus, we meet Morrie Schwartz--a one of a kind professor, whom the author describes as looking like a cross between a biblical prophet and Christmas elf. And finally we are privy to intimate moments of Morrie's final days as he lies dying from a terminal illness. Even on his deathbed, this twinkling-eyed mensch manages to teach us all about living robustly and fully. Kudos to author and acclaimed sports columnist Mitch Albom for telling this universally touching story with such grace and humility. --Gail Hudson