So Joshua Foer was a reporter for Discovery when he originally attended the US Memory Championship, after finding that the contestants were just regular folks who mastered a specific set of skills. He finds himself on course to learn all the secrets and returns next year to win. This book is the chronicle of that year. It touch on way more than just memory trick, the science of memory, the history the skills, how various ancients viewed memory, chapters on what it takes to master skills in general. So many topics between two cover. All well written and easy to follow.
Now I've had a look at some of the reviews on Amazon.com, and a lot of people complained about how it wasn't just a book of memory techniques and that you should instead read one of Harry Lorayne's books. Well first off I've never made it farther than half way through one of Lorayne's books. The half I did read didn't go over what to do if you get plateaued and find your self stuck unable to improve. And secondly nowhere on Joshua Foer's book did I find the claim that the purposes of the book was to teach you memory secrets.
I found this book to be informative and inspiring. The message is not how to remember more things but instead how anyone willing to devote the time and effort can master any skill set. The book caused me to think, even to re-evaluate how I read.
I'm giving this book a 10/10.
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