Memory Tips and Tricks: The Book of Proven Techniques for Lasting Memory Improvement

Being “of a certain age”, I have been seeking a decent book on memory issues and how to work on them effectively. The book starts with a very accessible history of the study of memory – did you know that in 1885 a man named Ebbinghaus sat for months trying to memorize strings of nonsense syllables and that the outcome of his research was deemed to be the development of memory as a field of psychological study?The book goes on to delineate the difference between the medical perspective on memory (basically neurology) and the psychological perspective, which had more to do with experience than neurotransmitters – and how the two fields converged in the 1950’s and 1960’s to advance the study of memory as a whole.If you are interested in what affects your memory (makes it better or worse), there is a very comprehensive section about the effects of diet on memory including, but not limited to, saturated fats, sugar, refined grains, alcohol and smoking, as well as exercise, sleep deprivation (interesting section on what your brain is doing while you are asleep and why “cramming” for tests doesn’t work), stress, lack of exercise, inadequate social activity, medications, depression and, for those who have not thought of it yet, they have intelligent things to say on the effect on memory of “over-reliance on technology” and “multi-tasking.” If you are able to identify these factors in your life, you will be way ahead of the game in the long term. In addition, the book, while clearly based in scientific research, is easy to read and quite interesting for anyone who is concerned with the subject.The second part of the book is dedicated to different types of memory testing – the only section that would be difficult to understand unless you are a trained psychologist – and then a multitude of methods for improving memory. There is also a part in which vitamins and supplements that can help improve – and maintain – memory are explained and recommended. If you are concerned about memory problems, or have friends or family members who have them, this book would be invaluable in assisting you in understanding the issues and helping others understand them, as well.LTB

I have trouble remembering things—especially names. I read this book looking for some help to remember things better. I was curious to see what I would find out by reading this book because I would like to solve this problem.I never knew there was a scientific reason why we have 7 digit phone numbers—very interesting.I knew alcohol was bad for your memory but I did not know how smoking cigarettes was so very bad for your memory and decision making ability. This makes me even more committed to getting my son to quit smoking!I had a gut instinct that multi-tasking was bad for the memory. I get teased about not doing well at all things and not remembering things when I multi-task so now I know why this happens.It is very interesting that people can be kept from remembering things/events by visual or auditory distractions. This has happened to me at various times in my life so I have a better understanding why I don’t remember things when under high stress/distraction levels.I found the scientific explanations about memory to be interesting but complex. I liked the tips in the chapters about improving your memory. I liked and will try the suggestion to link a person’s name with something humorous.It is clear that it does require dedicated work to improve your memory but it could really pay off for you at work and in your personal life. I don’t think I will be signing up for the World Memory Championships anytime soon—although I appreciate the information!

Memory Tips and Tricks has a catchy title but “wait” does it in fact “deliver” what it seems to promise to an average reader? Yep that in fact is like the movie Catch “22” what else is involved and is there a “hook” in it that would discourage word of mouth or other reviews that this could indeed be a valued readable book that could impact someone's life. Well let me tell you the introduction gave me inspiration and hope that my memory could indeed be improved by reading this book. Chapter 1 was encouraging going from years ago with Aristotle to other more current experts in the field about what is memory and how does it work. Yes 2300 years of background to get a reader interested for “more.” Chapter 2 seems to weave a magic spell which tantalizes the reader with gosh “useful hints” involving such factors as the use of alcohol, age, diet, and more. But here is the “grinder” getting into Chapter 3 in testing your memory with word games for a speed two minute test and number tests. Is this reading “fun?” Nope as it literally stops the average reader in his or her tracks with rows of things to memorize such as like a dog or tree or whatever but then it gets into numbers of over 28 that must be somehow hogtied and managed in your brain pan. Whoa this read just got into the category of a sophomore or junior college text book that you would take a quiz on. One professor once told me the word KISS and first I thought that he was “nuts!” But simply spoken as many know Keep It Simple Stupid. This dude lost me there. Gosh the Weschsler Memory scale or WMS (boring) and later in Chapter 8 the method of loci which later thankfully did prove somewhat interesting in the TV show the Mentalist. However, most people after being tasked with Chapter #3 will say “thumbs down”, give the book to someone they don't like to read, or simply trash the book. Sorry but like in Rome many years ago after the gladiator fight if the dude doesn't impress the crowds it simply is a thumbs down. And that is the way it is in my opinion the book quite simply will not be a money maker.GEORGE J. WILBERG155 Crooked Island CircleMurrells Inlet, SC 29576

Its a book I am not finished reading it .

Nothing new, it is a good book for beginners, it describes the main ideas, there are another books with specific memory methods

Good enough !!! but out of 100 pages only middle 18 to 20 pages r core nd all are marketing gimmicks

Haven't finished yet, but do like what I have read so far.

So far so good