How Memory Works--and How to Make It Work for You

by Robert Madigan

Do you wish you could recall the names of people you just met? What if birthdays, important errands, and online passwords rarely slipped your mind? Psychologist Robert Madigan is an expert in the "memory arts"--practical, proven methods for improving the ability to retain and use information. Like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, it's important to exercise memory in simple ways every day. That's where this science-based guide can help. Dr. Madigan explains how memory works and presents innovative mnemonic devices and visualization techniques that will help you sharpen your mental skills; avoid embarrassing lapses; and remember faces, appointments, facts, numbers, lists, and much more. Reclaim your brain--this book shows how. 

Genres: Nonfiction

278 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the basics are here -- how to establish episodic and semantic memory, the explicit kinds of memory, as well as implicit memories like skills and Pavlovian responses. And then there are all the memory improvement techniques which, alas, are all basically word or image association and hard work. There are no shortcuts to memory, just practice and effort. Oh, and one other thing. What was that? I forget.

[Julie Israel]

Fascinating! Picked this up for its chapter on memory palaces; ended up reading the whole thing. This book covers everything from life hacks like how to better remember names and faces and study efficiently for a test to more serious mnemonic feats like memorizing thousands of digits of pi (or any number, or any list!) using the Major System or something like a memory palace. Its basic principles are something I almost wish were part of a standard high school curriculum-- think any student could benefit from what they teach about the arts of learning and retaining!

[Gabriel Durst · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author did a google search--plagiarized readily available FREE information from the first five websites that populated his search--and compiled a book that offers zero new information. It is clear--through his writing--that he is no expert and freely admits he has--AT BEST--very limited ability. If you want a real reference that teaches classic memory techniques, learn from one of the many masters in this craft like Harry Lorayne. This clown is just using his academic credentials to steal sales from real practitioners.

[Stanley Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy read