Morrie: In his own Words: Life Wisdom from a Remarkable Man
If you read and were inspired by Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Morrie: In his own Words: Life Wisdom from a Remarkable Man is another helping of Morrie Schwartz’s wit and wisdom. It is Morrie’s own book which he wrote and later dictated when his hands grew too unsteady to write due to Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Throughout almost thirty five years as a professor at Brandeis University, Morrie taught sociology and social psychology. His insights and understanding of human interaction and motivations endeared him to his students and colleagues. Near the end of his life he began to write brief aphorisms that encapsulated his knowledge and understanding. As he shared some with friends and considered publication, he realized that he needed to expand and explain his thinking. He dictated comments about how he had arrived at each aphorism and how others might understand and apply the aphorisms in their own lives.
Assisted by Paul Solman, a former Brandeis student, Morrie produced a brief, but powerful, book that is organized in two sections: “Understanding where you are now” and “Getting to where you want to be.” Whether facing illness, death, or other life challenges this book offers profound and helpful thoughts.
Marie King teaches 5th through 8th grade literature at Mizzentop Day School. A resident of Pawling for twelve years, she has also led book groups for adults, children, and parents and children at the Pawling Library.
This article is sponsored by a generous grant from M&S of Pawling: