*Substantial proceeds from Zaslow’s Last Lecture speeches benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Randy Pausch Honorary Fund at Carnegie Mellon University.

    Jeffrey Zaslow is a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and co-author of the international bestseller The Last Lecture. He has also collaborated with Hero Pilot Chesley Sullenberger on Highest Duty. In this timely new book, we find out about Captain Sullenberger's lifelong preparation for this defining moment - and what we can learn from it.

    His column, Moving On, focuses on life transitions and often attracts wide media interest. That was certainly the case in September 2007, after Zaslow attended the final lecture of Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch. Zaslow’s column about the talk sparked a worldwide phenomenon. Tens of millions of people have since viewed footage of the lecture on the Internet and on TV.

    His previous book with Randy Pausch is being translated into 36 languages and has been a long-running #1 New York Times best-seller and has topped best-seller lists around the world. There are more than 4 million copies in print in the U.S. alone, with countless people saying the lessons in the book have changed their lives. Intense media coverage of the book included The Oprah Winfrey Show and an hour-long ABC prime-time special hosted by Diane Sawyer.

    Zaslow was drawn to the story of Randy Pausch because he has created a beat unlike almost any other in journalism. While The Wall Street Journal covers the heart of the financial world, Zaslow tends to the hearts of its readers. There are a thousand emotionally charged transitions that people face in their lives, and most come without a roadmap. That’s the territory of his column -- from finding a spouse to losing a job, from a child’s first crush to an old person’s last wishes.

    In 2003 and 2005, Zaslow's column was named the best general-interest column in a newspaper with over 100,000 circulation by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.  In 2008, he received the Distinguished Column Writing Award from the New York Newspaper Publishers Association.

    Zaslow’s many TV appearances have included The Tonight Show, Oprah, Larry King Live, 60 Minutes, The Today Show and Good Morning America. His columns have also appeared in TIME Magazine and in USA WEEKEND , the Sunday supplement in 550 newspapers. 

    In 2000, Zaslow received the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award, given to a newspaper columnist who exemplifies the ideals and public service work of the noted humorist and columnist. Zaslow was honored for using his column to run programs that benefited 47,000 disadvantaged Chicago children. His annual singles party for charity, Zazz Bash, drew 7,000 readers a year and resulted in 78 marriages.

Topic:

1) A Heartfelt and Humorous Look at Life’s Transitions

   Wall Street Journal columnist Jeffrey Zaslow writes about all the moments when life takes a turn. In his entertaining presentations, Zaslow delves into the recesses of our cultural psyche, with results that are surprising, funny and often extremely moving. His talks appeal to a variety of audiences – businesspeople, students, social organizations, etc. – and include an inside look at the phenomenon that led to his bestselling book with Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture. Showing video footage of Dr. Pausch, and sharing lessons learned in his many hours writing the book with the professor, Zaslow brings audiences unforgettable insights into a story that has captivated people worldwide.

2) Highest Duty: Sully's Remarkable Journey and What We Can Learn From It