Tuesdays With Morrie | Mitch Albom | Cliff Note Books

“Tuesdays with Morrie” is a memoir written by Mitch Albom about his relationship with his former professor, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Albom had lost touch with Morrie after college, but upon learning of his illness, he reconnected with him and began visiting him on Tuesdays. During these visits, Morrie shared his wisdom and life lessons with Albom, who recorded their conversations and eventually turned them into this book.

Through their conversations, Morrie teaches Albom about the importance of love, forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance. He also speaks about his own struggles with his illness and impending death, and how he has come to accept his fate and find peace in the face of adversity.

The book is a heartwarming and poignant exploration of the human experience, and the relationship between Albom and Morrie serves as a reminder of the profound impact that one person can have on another’s life. It has become a modern classic and has been widely acclaimed for its wisdom, compassion, and insight into what truly matters in life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The importance of love and relationships: Morrie emphasizes the importance of love, relationships, and connection in life. He stresses that we should invest time and energy into nurturing our relationships with others, as they are what bring us true happiness and fulfillment.
2. The value of forgiveness: Morrie encourages forgiveness and letting go of anger and resentment. He believes that forgiveness is essential for living a meaningful and peaceful life.
3. The power of acceptance: Morrie teaches that accepting life’s challenges and adversities is essential for finding peace and happiness. Rather than resisting or fighting against what cannot be changed, he encourages us to embrace what is and find meaning in it.
4. The role of compassion: Morrie believes that compassion is a crucial element of a meaningful life. He encourages us to be kind and empathetic towards others, and to look for ways to help those in need.
5. The importance of living in the present: Morrie emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. He reminds us that time is precious and that we should make the most of every moment.

AUTHOR

Mitch Albom is an American author, journalist, and broadcaster, born on May 23, 1958, in Passaic, New Jersey. Albom graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in sociology, and later earned a Master of Arts in journalism from Columbia University.

He began his career as a sports journalist, working for several newspapers, including the Detroit Free Press, where he covered the Detroit Pistons basketball team. He became known for his sports writing and was awarded the Best Sports Columnist award by the Associated Press Sports Editors for three consecutive years.

In addition to his journalism work, Albom is also a successful author, having written several best-selling books, including “Tuesdays with Morrie,” “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” “For One More Day,” and “The Time Keeper.” He has sold over 35 million books worldwide and has been translated into 45 languages.

Albom is also a radio and television broadcaster, hosting his own radio show and appearing as a commentator on various television networks. He is a frequent guest on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

In addition to his career, Albom is also involved in philanthropic work, founding several charities and organizations, including the Have Faith Haiti Mission, which provides housing, education, and health care to impoverished children in Haiti.

WHO WAS MORRIE?

Morrie Schwartz was a sociology professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he taught for over 20 years. Born on December 20, 1916, in New York City, Schwartz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago and his PhD from Brandeis University.

Throughout his career as a professor, Schwartz was known for his passionate teaching style and his ability to connect with his students on a personal level. He was particularly interested in the study of death and dying, and his research on the topic led him to write several articles and books.

In 1994, Schwartz was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Despite the diagnosis, he continued to teach for as long as he was physically able, using his illness as an opportunity to share his wisdom and life lessons with others.

Schwartz’s relationship with Mitch Albom, his former student, and author of “Tuesdays with Morrie,” began when Albom saw Schwartz on “Nightline” with Ted Koppel, discussing his illness and his views on life and death. Albom reached out to Schwartz and began visiting him regularly, eventually turning their conversations into the book that would become a bestseller and a cultural phenomenon.

Schwartz passed away on November 4, 1995, at the age of 78, but his legacy continues to live on through his teachings and his impact on the lives of those who knew him. He remains an inspiration to many for his grace, wisdom, and compassion in the face of adversity.

QUOTES

1. “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
2. “Love each other or perish.”
3. “Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do.”
4. “The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.”
5. “Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others.”
6. “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
7. “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things.”
8. “The truth is, when our mothers held us, rocked us, stroked our heads – none of us ever got enough of that. We all yearn in some way to return to those days when we were completely taken care of – unconditional love, unconditional attention. Most of us didn’t get enough.”
9. “Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
10. “If you’re trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down at you anyhow. And if you’re trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone.”

SUMMARIES

Chapter 1: The Curriculum The book opens with Mitch Albom describing his life as a busy and successful sports journalist, who has lost touch with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz. He sees Morrie on television, speaking about his battle with ALS, and decides to reach out to him.

Chapter 2: The Syllabus Mitch visits Morrie for the first time in 16 years, and they begin to reconnect. Morrie tells him about his illness and the challenges he’s facing.

Chapter 3: The Student Mitch reflects on his relationship with Morrie as a student, and how Morrie’s teachings have stayed with him throughout his life.

Chapter 4: The Orientation Morrie begins to teach Mitch about the importance of accepting death and cherishing life. He encourages Mitch to ask himself what he really wants in life.

Chapter 5: The First Tuesday – We Talk About the World Mitch and Morrie begin their weekly meetings, discussing various topics, including the state of the world and the media’s portrayal of society.

Chapter 6: The Second Tuesday – We Talk About Feeling Sorry for Yourself Morrie talks to Mitch about the importance of not feeling sorry for oneself, and instead focusing on the things that one can do, rather than the things that one cannot.

Chapter 7: The Third Tuesday – We Talk About Regrets Morrie discusses the importance of acknowledging one’s regrets and using them as a tool for personal growth and self-improvement.

Chapter 8: The Fourth Tuesday – We Talk About Death Morrie and Mitch have a frank conversation about death, and Morrie shares his thoughts on how to approach the end of life with dignity and grace.

Chapter 9: The Fifth Tuesday – We Talk About Family Morrie emphasizes the importance of family and the role that it plays in providing love and support.

Chapter 10: The Sixth Tuesday – We Talk About Emotions Morrie encourages Mitch to express his emotions freely and honestly, and discusses the importance of vulnerability and connection in relationships.

Chapter 11: The Seventh Tuesday – We Talk About the Fear of Aging Morrie talks about the fear of aging and the importance of accepting one’s own mortality. He encourages Mitch to appreciate the present moment and to focus on what really matters in life.

Chapter 12: The Eighth Tuesday – We Talk About Money Morrie and Mitch discuss the role of money in society and how it can both provide security and create problems. Morrie emphasizes the importance of valuing relationships and experiences over material possessions.

Chapter 13: The Ninth Tuesday – We Talk About How Love Goes On Morrie talks about the enduring nature of love and how it can transcend death. He discusses the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones.

Chapter 14: The Tenth Tuesday – We Talk About Marriage Morrie discusses his own marriage and shares his thoughts on what makes a successful and fulfilling relationship.

Chapter 15: The Eleventh Tuesday – We Talk About Our Culture Morrie talks about his disappointment with the culture of society, which values material wealth and individual success over relationships and community.

Chapter 16: The Twelfth Tuesday – We Talk About Forgiveness Morrie emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the role that it plays in allowing us to move forward and find peace.

Chapter 17: The Thirteenth Tuesday – We Talk About the Perfect Day Morrie describes his idea of a perfect day, emphasizing the importance of appreciating the simple pleasures of life.

Chapter 18: The Fourteenth Tuesday – We Talk About Aging Morrie and Mitch discuss the challenges of aging and how it can be an opportunity for personal growth and reflection.

Chapter 19: The Fifteenth Tuesday – We Talk About Our Cultural Values Morrie and Mitch discuss the values that underpin American society and how they shape our perceptions of success and happiness.

Chapter 20: The Sixteenth Tuesday – We Talk About Marriage, Part Two Morrie discusses the importance of communication and intimacy in a successful marriage, and shares his thoughts on how to maintain a strong and loving relationship.

Chapter 21: The Seventeenth Tuesday – We Talk About the Death of the Body Morrie discusses the physical and emotional aspects of dying, and shares his thoughts on how to approach death with dignity and grace.

Chapter 22: The Eighteenth Tuesday – We Talk About the Light Morrie shares a metaphor about a wave and the ocean, and discusses the idea of interconnectedness and the continuity of life.

Chapter 23: The Nineteenth Tuesday – We Talk About Our Culture, Part Two Morrie and Mitch continue their discussion about American culture, exploring the values of individualism and consumerism, and how they can lead to a lack of meaning and purpose.

Chapter 24: The Twentieth Tuesday – We Talk About Self-Pity Morrie talks about the dangers of self-pity and how it can prevent us from living a fulfilling life. He encourages Mitch to find meaning and purpose in helping others.

Chapter 25: The Twenty-First Tuesday – We Say Goodbye Mitch and Morrie have their final meeting, and Morrie shares his parting wisdom and love with Mitch. They say their goodbyes, knowing that their relationship will live on.

Chapter 26: The Curriculum – The End of the Book Mitch reflects on his time with Morrie, and how the experience has changed his life. He shares the lessons he has learned and the impact that Morrie has had on him, and encourages readers to find meaning and purpose in their own lives.

CRTICISMS

While “Tuesdays with Morrie” has been widely praised for its wisdom and insight, there have been some criticisms of the book. Here are a few examples:

1. Sentimentalism: Some critics have argued that the book is overly sentimental and manipulative, using Morrie’s illness and death as a way to evoke an emotional response from readers.
2. Simplification of ALS: There have also been criticisms that the book oversimplifies the experience of living with ALS, and that Morrie’s positive attitude towards his illness may not be representative of all people with the disease.
3. Lack of Diversity: Some readers have pointed out that the book lacks diversity in its representation of characters and perspectives, with a focus on the experiences of a privileged white male.
4. Stereotyping of the Media: Others have criticized the book’s portrayal of the media as superficial and unethical, arguing that it perpetuates negative stereotypes.
5. Lack of Critical Analysis: Some readers have suggested that the book doesn’t engage in enough critical analysis of the ideas presented by Morrie, and that it relies too heavily on his personal anecdotes and opinions.

It’s worth noting that despite these criticisms, the book has resonated with many readers and has been widely celebrated for its inspirational message and universal themes.