Product Description

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Chasing Daylight is the honest, touching, and ultimately inspirational memoir of former KPMG CEO Eugene O'Kelley, completed in the three-and-a-half months between his diagnosis with brain cancer and his death in September 2005. Its haunting yet extraordinarily hopeful voice reminds us to embrace the fragile, fleeting moments of our lives-the brief time we have with our family, our friends, and even ourselves. This paperback edition features a new foreword by his wife, Corinne O'Kelley and a readers' group guide and questions.

“Voicing universal truths . . . shared . . . simply and clearly.”-Janet Malin, New York Times

“Words to live by.”-Kerry Hannon, USA Today

“One of the most unexpected and touching books you're likely to read this year.”-Edward Nawotka, Bloomberg News

“An honest, thought-provoking memoir . . . O'Kelly has many lessons to teach us on how to live.”-Steve Powers, Houston Chronicle

“[A] well-written and moving book.”-TheEconomist.com

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #414363 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780071499934
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Back Cover

“Eugene O’Kelly made a generous gift of this book. He left behind something wise and insightful; it’s something we all can use.” —Paul Newman

Chasing Daylight is the inspirational memoir of former KPMG CEO Eugene O’Kelly, written in the three-and-a half months between his terminal diagnosis with brain cancer and his death in September 2005. Interweaving details of his illness with reflections on life, death, and success, this passionate, deeply insightful book provides an unforgettable account of O’Kelly’s final journey, and is a compelling reminder of the importance of living a balanced and meaningful life.

"Voicing universal truths not often found in business or how-to tracts...[O'Kelly] made a success out of his final mission."-The New York Times

”One of the most unexpected and touching books you're likely to read this year.”-Bloomberg News

"A moving memoir."-The Times (London)

About the Author

Eugene O'Kelly started at KPMG as an assistant accountant in 1972 and ended his 30-plus year career as CEO, in which capacity he served from April 2002 to June 2005 before becoming a Senior Partner of the firm. He passed away September 10, 2005.

From AudioFile
When incurable cancer visited him at age 53, accounting firm CEO Eugene O'Kelly began wrapping up his work and letting go of the limitless future he had planned as he sought to live each moment feeling more connected to what is central to life. In this touching memoir of the last three months he lived, he describes how he slowed down his Type A pacing. He retooled his intensity and perfectionism to methodically "unwind" his work commitments and various relationships. In memorable performances, narrators Kate Reading (who handles the final chapter, written by the author's wife) and Michael Kramer capture every ounce of the author's remarkable determination. Their nuanced interpretations skillfully balance the poignancy and immediacy of his challenge with the quieter, more timeless perspectives O'Kelly learned to embrace. T.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

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Customer Reviews

Makes You Wonder
I appreciate the fact that this book was written. The author showed extraordinary courage and clear thinking while under the cloud of knowing he was dying. Yet thousands of people live with this knowledge everyday and we do not hear from them. I am left wondering how a book of this nature written by someone without the resources of this author would read. Most of us can't identify with the wealth and comforts Mr. O'Kelly had at his disposal to smooth his path. This is not a criticism, just makes one wonder.

Preparing for death
This is a first person telling of the way in which one person, who happened to be a wealthy Type A personality, prepared himself and his family and friends for his own death. The additional chapters and interviews by his wife are just as interesting. There was not as much information about the physical effects of the cancer as I had expected.

A unique Life-Management-Book!
This book is an outstanding and extraordinary treasure. There are some books available about life and dying. Eugene O'Kelly's and Corinne O'Kelly's book is a unique contribution.

Some critics are focusing on the judgement of Eugene O'Kelly's way to proceed after he got his brain cancer diagnose. This is the wrong way. The right way is to judge oneself about the way to live and prepare for death. I found the book in the list of the 100 Best Business Books of all Time. A very important recommendation which everybody should follow, whether in business, whether struggling for a better life, and a better preparation for the time which comes for all of us. To Corinne O'Kelly and Eugene O'Kelly: many thanks and my deepest respect.