Chasing Daylight by Eugene O'Kelly Summary
Overview of Chasing Daylight
When KPMG's CEO received a terminal diagnosis, he wrote this extraordinary memoir in just 100 days. "Chasing Daylight" challenges our priorities in life's final moments. Investor Brad Feld called it "one of the best books of the decade" - what would you do with your last days?
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Key takeaways
When the Clock Starts Counting Down
What would you do if you discovered you had just 100 days left to live? Not in some distant, abstract future, but right now-with the summer still ahead, projects half-finished, and conversations you've been meaning to have. This was the reality that crashed into Eugene O'Kelly's life in May 2005. At 53, he was CEO of KPMG, one of the world's largest accounting firms. He had power, influence, and what seemed like endless tomorrows. Then a brain scan revealed the truth: inoperable tumors, no cure, three months at most. Most of us live as though death is a problem for our future selves to solve. We postpone difficult conversations, delay meaningful experiences, and assume there will always be time later. O'Kelly's diagnosis shattered that comfortable illusion. But here's what makes his story remarkable: instead of collapsing into despair, he approached his final chapter with the same analytical rigor he'd brought to boardrooms-only now, the project wasn't quarterly earnings but something infinitely more valuable. He set out to create what he called "perfect days," to say proper goodbyes, and to discover what it truly means to be alive when every moment counts.
The Life That Led to the Edge
When the Body Speaks, We Must Listen
The Unwinding Begins
The Architecture of Goodbye
Transcendence and Transition
The Gift of Awareness
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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