What do you think?
Rate this book
Ranieri Reverse Recall: A Method of Memorization Applied to Life
Discover how to learn anything by heart through Ranieri's innovative recall technique. Weaving practical advice through an entertaining narrative of the events of his life, the author instructs the reader on how to apply this method to almost anything, from figuring out how to pronounce long foreign names, to memorizing poetry and aircraft manuals. Ranieri passionately expresses his love of learning, his pleasure in teaching, and his desire to offer others his secret to finding success.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2017
23 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 4, 2021
I'm in the intermediate phase of the languages I started learning to take advantage of the extra downtime at the beginning of the pandemic, but I felt that I was lagging behind a bit on one of them, and not progressing as I wanted in general, so I've been trying to reevaluate the study techniques and habits I've developed over almost 15 years of constant language study. I really enjoy the author's YouTube channel, polýMATHY, which deals with Latin and Ancient Greek, and I found the intensive reading technique he talked about in a video helpful for parsing and getting the most out of the comprehensible input materials I have been using, so I decided to give this book a try.
The titular technique itself is given straight up in the first few pages, with the remainder of the book following the structure of: an anecdote about a time the author needed to memorize something -> the memorization technique applied to that an exercise recreating that instance or an analagous one -> a set of exercises around the chapter topic (names, numbers, conjugation tables, etc.).
On the most important point, namely the technique, I can say yes, it definitely works, at least for me. I have been using it to smoothen and speed up my pronunciation of longer vocabulary words, and more so, to learn new vocabulary words by memorizing passages of text which, even after leaving my short-term memory, help to create a kind of anchor point for the new vocabulary words. As an exercise, I took five minutes to memorize the two-paragraph blurb on the back of the bag of the product I was working on in my factory job, and many days later I can still repeat it verbatim (now I just need to apply that to the Greek subjunctive and past simple and I'll be getting somewhere).
My main issue with the book is not the efficacy of the technique, which I'm glad to have learned, or the stories, which are charming enough, never overstay their welcome and provide helpful context and a breather from the rote memorization exercises, but simply the weird middle ground the book finds itself in. For a few bucks, I have no complaints, I got my money's worth. However, I feel like it would be served to either be shortened to a blog post or, better yet, a YouTube video, like the author has done with other techniques, or lengthened to include a bit of research onto why the technique might be effective psychologically or neurologically, or more variations on the technique itself, the couple examples of which there are come in the final chapter. Again, I liked the book and felt it was worth the cost, these are just ways I think it could've been even better.
If you are a language learner, you might find it worthwhile, if only the first chapter to learn the technique, and check out the author's other videos on his application of the Dowling method or his own intensive reading technique. The reverse recall and Dowling methods are particularly helpful in learning highly-inflected languages, and they've all (sometimes in a slightly modified form to suit my own needs and time availability) helped me personally.
The titular technique itself is given straight up in the first few pages, with the remainder of the book following the structure of: an anecdote about a time the author needed to memorize something -> the memorization technique applied to that an exercise recreating that instance or an analagous one -> a set of exercises around the chapter topic (names, numbers, conjugation tables, etc.).
On the most important point, namely the technique, I can say yes, it definitely works, at least for me. I have been using it to smoothen and speed up my pronunciation of longer vocabulary words, and more so, to learn new vocabulary words by memorizing passages of text which, even after leaving my short-term memory, help to create a kind of anchor point for the new vocabulary words. As an exercise, I took five minutes to memorize the two-paragraph blurb on the back of the bag of the product I was working on in my factory job, and many days later I can still repeat it verbatim (now I just need to apply that to the Greek subjunctive and past simple and I'll be getting somewhere).
My main issue with the book is not the efficacy of the technique, which I'm glad to have learned, or the stories, which are charming enough, never overstay their welcome and provide helpful context and a breather from the rote memorization exercises, but simply the weird middle ground the book finds itself in. For a few bucks, I have no complaints, I got my money's worth. However, I feel like it would be served to either be shortened to a blog post or, better yet, a YouTube video, like the author has done with other techniques, or lengthened to include a bit of research onto why the technique might be effective psychologically or neurologically, or more variations on the technique itself, the couple examples of which there are come in the final chapter. Again, I liked the book and felt it was worth the cost, these are just ways I think it could've been even better.
If you are a language learner, you might find it worthwhile, if only the first chapter to learn the technique, and check out the author's other videos on his application of the Dowling method or his own intensive reading technique. The reverse recall and Dowling methods are particularly helpful in learning highly-inflected languages, and they've all (sometimes in a slightly modified form to suit my own needs and time availability) helped me personally.
February 21, 2021
I'm one of those people who enjoys reading about memory and techniques to help remember things. I think that Anthony Metivier and Harry Lorayne have the best books on the subject.
I decided to look into this book and I am not really impressed.
Good points; His technique is a simple one. It will work for learning how to pronounce difficult words. It may help some to remember long passages verbatim. Some people will find his system useful.
Lets say I want to memorize a bunch of vocabulary for a foreign language... What does the order of the learning have to do with the language itself? I can see how conjugation charts work nicely in his system I don't really see a practical use for vocabulary memorization. He even recommends Anki for that type of thing at the end of his book.
I believe this system can be easily covered in a ten page pamphlet. There seems to be a bunch of padding. I'm sure his experiences in the air force, his summer in Italy, his living in Japan, and his helicopter certifications are really thrilling accomplishments, but are they all that useful to learning a memory system?
Bottom line, I think that the book will help some, but I don't think it is the best approach. If you want to give it a shot, go for it. Don't be surprised if it really isn't all that helpful.
I will say that he comes across as a nice guy. I am sure that he firmly believes in his system. I am NOT criticizing the author, I am in doubt as to the effectiveness of his method for most people.
I decided to look into this book and I am not really impressed.
Good points; His technique is a simple one. It will work for learning how to pronounce difficult words. It may help some to remember long passages verbatim. Some people will find his system useful.
Lets say I want to memorize a bunch of vocabulary for a foreign language... What does the order of the learning have to do with the language itself? I can see how conjugation charts work nicely in his system I don't really see a practical use for vocabulary memorization. He even recommends Anki for that type of thing at the end of his book.
I believe this system can be easily covered in a ten page pamphlet. There seems to be a bunch of padding. I'm sure his experiences in the air force, his summer in Italy, his living in Japan, and his helicopter certifications are really thrilling accomplishments, but are they all that useful to learning a memory system?
Bottom line, I think that the book will help some, but I don't think it is the best approach. If you want to give it a shot, go for it. Don't be surprised if it really isn't all that helpful.
I will say that he comes across as a nice guy. I am sure that he firmly believes in his system. I am NOT criticizing the author, I am in doubt as to the effectiveness of his method for most people.
March 7, 2021
I read it all in one sitting!
I love the tone and style of this book. Luke recounts many memories of his language learning. Some are poignant and heartfelt, and others are from intense situations, like his time in the military.
Through it all, the reader enjoys a warm personable style and ease.
And the best part that I found, is his new, at least new to me, method of getting information into your short term memory. I’ve never heard of this before and I plan to begin to use it immediately.
Prior to reading this book I had already begun my quest to learn Latin. I’m so pleased to know that the author not only learned Latin, but Italian, French and Spanish as well.
I first came across him while searching for Latin language material on YouTube. He has his own channels there and I have subscribed to all of his that I know about.
It is he that got me started on reading the Latina lingua series. The process in those books really does bring the reader along slowly and comfortably. I am enjoying the process tremendously.
Thank you so much Luke for all the free material you put out there on YouTube and other social media. I watch it frequently as a part of my learning journey. You have really made the whole process quite welcoming!
(Although I have never met the author, his writing makes you feel as if he is already a friend… Well done!)
I love the tone and style of this book. Luke recounts many memories of his language learning. Some are poignant and heartfelt, and others are from intense situations, like his time in the military.
Through it all, the reader enjoys a warm personable style and ease.
And the best part that I found, is his new, at least new to me, method of getting information into your short term memory. I’ve never heard of this before and I plan to begin to use it immediately.
Prior to reading this book I had already begun my quest to learn Latin. I’m so pleased to know that the author not only learned Latin, but Italian, French and Spanish as well.
I first came across him while searching for Latin language material on YouTube. He has his own channels there and I have subscribed to all of his that I know about.
It is he that got me started on reading the Latina lingua series. The process in those books really does bring the reader along slowly and comfortably. I am enjoying the process tremendously.
Thank you so much Luke for all the free material you put out there on YouTube and other social media. I watch it frequently as a part of my learning journey. You have really made the whole process quite welcoming!
(Although I have never met the author, his writing makes you feel as if he is already a friend… Well done!)
December 12, 2021
Luke's method for uploading and recalling information into long term memory is wildly applicable to my language learning goals. It dovetails with my memory palace tools (specifically: Anthony Metivier's courses and books on magnetic memory). And, it has unpacked the troublesome issue (for me) of correct pronunciation of foreign words -- and multisyllable medical terms. Luke's personal experiences also encourage this life-long learner to persist in feeding vast quantities of data and bolstered my confidence that it is retained and, more importantly, readily accessible.
April 29, 2024
Just did another read of this, fun and interesting book.
It’s a memorization tool and yet he talks about sitting across the table from beautiful Italian women trying to remember verbs. I guess train for the job you want right? :)
Used this for Latin back when I was in 499 and hope to use it again!
It’s a memorization tool and yet he talks about sitting across the table from beautiful Italian women trying to remember verbs. I guess train for the job you want right? :)
Used this for Latin back when I was in 499 and hope to use it again!
September 12, 2021
Part autobiography and part instructional. It works if you use it.
January 24, 2022
Excellent Lucius!
The method is something new to me. The recommendation at the end to try ANKI Cards is priceless, and also new to me.
The method is something new to me. The recommendation at the end to try ANKI Cards is priceless, and also new to me.
January 19, 2023
A great book to help you understand this method of memorization. It works very well!
February 13, 2023
Good book that highlights a unique memorization tool and provides lots of practical examples of its use and opportunities to practice the method.
December 17, 2023
Great addition to memory techniques
I tried it right out of the box and was seriously impressed when I recalled things so easily. I was just playing with it so you can imagine the results if you followed his advice to the letter
I tried it right out of the box and was seriously impressed when I recalled things so easily. I was just playing with it so you can imagine the results if you followed his advice to the letter
January 25, 2021
Brilliant and practical
I used this technique for memorizing dialogues for learning Russian in 1966. Now I must review that textbook to see if the authors explained their rationale for using the reverse recall approach.
I used this technique for memorizing dialogues for learning Russian in 1966. Now I must review that textbook to see if the authors explained their rationale for using the reverse recall approach.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews