Since his death in 1995, Morrie Schwartz--author, charismatic sociology professor, and social justice warrior--has experienced a vibrantly rich literary life. He posthumously became famous 25 years ago thanks to his former student, Mitch Albom, and his inspiring memoir Tuesdays with Morrie. The book explored Albom's friendship with Schwartz and espoused Schwartz's down-to-earth, personal, societal, and philosophical values--what the 78-year-old had learned about life as he faced ALS, a terminal disease. In The Wisdom of Morrie, Rob Schwartz, his son, has edited his father's last book, written before he became ill during the years 1989 to 1992.
Keeping Morrie's lively voice intact, this deeply empowering, easy-to-read narrative blends Morrie's philosophical wisdom, humor, and Buddhist-like mindfulness with personal vignettes and parable-like anecdotes of others. Captivating stories demonstrate how the aging process--despite fears, the onset of limitations, and diminished opportunities--can actually become an exciting period of great awakening, meaning, and purpose. Morrie offers practical tips and techniques, along with positive, motivating strategies that shatter stereotypes and misperceptions, encouraging others to grow, adapt, and develop, while expanding awareness, and dispelling apprehensions about growing older and facing mortality. Readers will reflect on issues such as dependency, solitude, letting go, and ways to cultivate more social and spiritual connectedness as a means to gain more control over life.
Morrie may be gone, but his wisdom--and Morrie's eternal quest to help others improve their lives--endures. This timeless trove of Morrie's insightful, inspiring writings opens a gateway of hope, bolstering purposeful self-esteem for readers of all ages. --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines