The Last Lecture received numerous positive reviews. After giving his last lecture, people were eager to know more about Pausch's life experiences. After the book was released in 2008, 2.3 million copies were printed and it has been published in 29 languages.[4] The popularity of the book has made it almost impossible to find in stores.[6] Before the book's publishing, in a miscalculation, the book's publisher, Walt Disney Co.'s Hyperion, did not print enough copies to meet the initial demand.[6] They planned to print 400,000, but as the release date of the book neared, Hyperion knew they were going to need thousands of more copies to keep up with orders.[6] On April 8, 2008, the day of the book's release, The Last Lecture immediately soared to the No. 1 slot on multiple different sales charts. In particular, The Wall Street Journal’s nonfiction list, the advice section of the New York Times’ list, and Amazon.[6]
Many critics note Pausch’s ability to represent his endearing and witty personality throughout the story despite writing it knowing his cancer diagnosis.[7][8][9] Editorial Director for Hyperion, Will Balliett, remarks: “Randy is clearly a remarkable person, with a great capacity for giving, and doing it with an unusual degree of honesty, humor, and passion”.[10] These qualities translate when composing The Last Lecture as critics often refer to the story as heartbreaking, yet witty.[11] Mike Gruss, a columnist from the Virginian Pilot, notes the story's uniqueness: "...Unlike others in the genre, The Last Lecture includes specific advice. Overall, Pausch's story is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring." Comparing it to the lecture given, Karen R. Long, from the Houston Chronicle, recounts: "The text focuses more cleanly on the nitty-gritty of making a good life".[3] As well, Sonja Barisic, from the Record, expresses: "The book goes beyond the lecture, giving Pausch more room to tell his kids what he would have tried to teach them over the next twenty years. He counsels them to have fun, tell the truth, dare to take risks, look for the best in everyone, make time for what matters, and always be prepared".[3]
