Customer Reviews

Learn to Remember

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased this book along with six other memory and fast-reading books. This one stands out because it is extremely well organized. Each chapter is divided into sections that are typically two pages long. In most cases, each section has a sidebar or one complete page dedicated to either an exercise or a case example. This book is a joy to read, because it is written in a straightforward style and is beautifully illustrated.

It is organized into six chapters.
1. A brief history of memory (greeks, romans and modern times)
2. How memory works
3. How to improve your memory
4. Discovering memory techniques
5. Memory techniques for everyday life
6. Gain fulfillment through memory

The second chapter tells you how neurotransmitters, axons, dendrites, left and right brain, brainwaves, short and long term memory, sleep, drugs and aging work and affect your memory.

The third chapter tells you how important the elements of imagination, association, location, concentration, observation, repetition and health are to improving your memory.

The fourth chapter explains the techniques themselves in proper learning order - mnemonics, visual pegs, story, journey (the most powerful method for me), dominic system, number-shape system, mind-maps.

The fifth chapter applies the techniques to everyday life and tells you which ones are better suited to which problems.

The last chapter elaborates on why memory improvement is not just an exercise in itself to acquire robotic memory. Rather it tells you how your life can be enriched by keeping your mind young and how to cope with life's demands and past memories. This is one of the chapters I enjoyed most.

As a conclusion, I recommend this little jewel for many reasons. First, it covers the subject very broadly - it does not just give you short recipes, it is a complete treatise on memory. It is a mini memory encyclopedia - the topic is condensed in 160 pages.

Second, it is really a marvelous book, the best book I have read on this subject and quite probably one of the most valuable ones I have gotten ever for my life. It is one of these books you keep in a preferred corner in your bookshelf.

Third, it is truly useful. Although there may be more memory techniques, the ones in this book are the most important ones and are more than enough to keep you busy memorizing.

Fourth, it eliminates the common belief that memory deteriorates with age. It actually worsens with LACK OF USE. You will learn that memory is like a muscle - the more you use it the better it gets. I got this book because I was determined to work on keeping my mind young "before it is too late". I discovered that it is never too late and, unlike muscles, the mind is the most powerful and malleable muscle of all. You just have to keep it busy with many interests.

Enjoy !!!

Do you think it is impossible to remember a difficult name or a phone number? Can everyone learn to remember? Yes, everyone can learn to remember! The author of this book (Dominic O`Brien) dropped out of school at an early stage because his memory was too weak. Several years later, he created a technique that made it possible to remember almost everything. Now he is six-time world memory champion and a master of memory.

In this book, Dominic O`Brien tells you how to apply his memory systems. With simple systems, based on imagination, location and association, you will be able to remember long digit numbers, names, facts and even a deck of card!

Here is ,for example, on system for remembering numbers: 1=a 2=b 3=c 4=d and so on. What do you think of ,when you hear 33 ? Well, 33 is CC, so I think of Charlie Chaplin. You see ,this system is both easy and funny!

In addition, yo will also learn some interesting facts about our brain, long term and short term memory, speed reading and how to draw a mind map.

In a study situation, you will probably benefit a lot from this book. According to Dominic O`Brien, our memory is almost like the universe, its unlimited. Belive it or not, but your memory will not decline with years.

There are three good reasons for you to buy this book: Number one: Dominic O`Brien is a true memory expert. He knows how to develop a powerful memory, and encourage you to do right that!

Number two: He has created his own systems, and they are really effective. Number three: The book is pretty,detailed and well written. It is a pleasure to read!

There are written plenty of books about memory. I think this book is, with out doubt, the best one. However, I will also recommend " Mega memory" and "The memory book"

Dominic speaks on his terms about the history of memory, memory functions and works, improving your memory, health and memory, memory and senses, mnemonics, crossword puzzles, journey method, number-shape system, Dominic system, names and faces, speed reading, mind maps, and much more.

This book is not extremely lengthy but covers the subject of memory-and memory improvement-very effectively. The pages of this book are also colorful and picturesque.

I was pleased to read on the usefulness of the number shape system that Dominic employs, with the Dominic system. In addition, the Dominic system is very masterful. To add, Dominic's writings on memory, and the senses are fresh and insightful.

Any person reasonably interested in memory must read this book. This book is a pinnacle in my top 10 list.

This book covers how our mind and memory works, then goes on to explain several workable techniques on memorization. I thought it did a great job of covering these topics, and was very readable. I read it in one evening (it's only 160 pages long, and includes lots of pretty drawings).

The book is written by Dominic O'Brien, a noted memorization wizard. But it was interesting that the copyright to the book went to the publisher. This is common for technical books in the computer field... where the publisher finds a hot topic and directs an author to write to their specifications. But I believe this format to be unusual in the memorization field.

The answer is found in the front cover where I discovered that there is a "Learn to ..." series put out by the publisher. As such, this book probably follows a format for that series. This format is very well done, but unfortunately reflects the comments made by an earlier reviewer: there is (or might be) more information on memory in the author's other books.

Regardless of all this backround info, I am happy I bought this book. And, I think this book updates some of the techniques that I've seen elsewhere.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

I was very excited when I bought this book, but when I opened it, I was a little disappointed.

Pros:
1.Tells you new methods to memorize
2.Gives you an understanding of brain function
3.Colorful pictures on some pages
4.Not a long read

Cons
1. Does not have enough exercises
2. Reads too much like a novel
3. Teaching approach not effective

I will admit I did not practice it that much, but I believe the motivation was lacking because the book did not compel me enough with more examples and exercises.

This book contains a lot of fluff and not a lot of content. Lots of exercises, most of them useless and extraneous. Only a handful of pages even mention the DOMINIC system let alone delve into it. The book lists a lot of different memorization techniques, but glosses over all of them including the important ones. Rather than specifically teaching you how to remember, the book presents a discourse on memory and memorization with brief highlights on how to actually apply them yourself. The only real techniques are about three quarters of the way through the book, and each technique is only given a page or two. I was really disappointed after reading this book; O'Brien's other books on memory are far superior on all points and for all purposes.

I have purchased this book and am beginning to utilize the techniques in it. It is a very comprehensive approach and quite well written.

El libro es bueno, un poco lento, pero cumple us cometido.
Las explicaciones cinetíficas son simples y fácilmente entendibles.

i found this book very dissapointing compared to dominics previous works, it seemed to be written or eddited by someone different from his previous books, the style of writting was completely different and why does this book have a co-author which isnt mentioned on the cover?? he covers most of the material in much more detail in 'how to develop a perfect memory' and 'how to pass exams' much better buys if you can find them, if you cant then i guess this book is alright, covers the main ideas, and i guess it is a good colourfull introduction to memory for the beginner, if this isnt you then there are better books out there by this author, tho they are hard to find.

I read this book twice, and every time I read it I discover something new, This book come with a good amount of exercises, the lecture is interesting and keep you coming back for more. this is the type of book is the. You Must Have IT!