In this classic study of how people learned to retain vast stores of knowledge before the invention of the printed page, Frances A. Yates traces the art of memory from its treatment by Greek orators, through its Gothic transformations in the Middle Ages, to the occult forms it took in the Renaissance, and finally to its use in the seventeenth century. This book, the first to relate the art of memory to the history of culture as a whole, was revolutionary when it first appeared and continues to mesmerize readers with its lucid and revelatory insights.
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The ancient Greeks, to whom a trained memory was of vital importance - as it was to everyone before the invention of printing - created an elaborate memory system, based on a technique of impressing 'places' and 'images' on the mind. Inherited and recorded by the Romans, this art of memory passed into the European tradition, to be revived, in occult form, at the Renaissance, and particularly by the strange and remarkable genius, Giordano Bruno. Such is the main theme of Frances Yates's unique and brilliant book, in the course of which she sheds light on such diverse subjects as Dante's Divine Comedy, the form of the Shakespearian theatre and the history of ancient architecture. Aside from its intrinsic fascination, The Art of Memory is an invaluable contribution to aesthetics and psychology, and to the history of philosophy, of science and of literature.
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The Art of Memory is the classic study of how people learned to retain vast stores of knowledge before the invention of the printed page. In it, Frances A. Yates traces the art of memory from its treatment by Greek orators, through its Gothic transformations in the Middle Ages, to the occult forms it took in the Renaissance, and finally to its use in the seventeenth century. This book, the first to relate the art of memory to the history of culture as a whole, was revolutionary when it first appeared and continues to mesmerize readers with its lucid and revelatory insights.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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166 of 170 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A book about memory? Mnemonics, eh? Dull stuff...
WRONG!!! This is just about the most engrossing scholarly work I have ever read. Quite apart from displaying a masterly grasp of her subject, which is far more interesting than I would have believed before reading the book, Yates throws fascinating light on a number of seemingly unrelated topics: the Roman art of rhetoric, the architecture of the Globe theatre, the foundations of Renaissance syncretism, the rise of the scientific method, the delightful irony of a patron saint of science turning out to be an arch-magician, psychological aspects of imagination... -- the list is a long one.
However, for me, it is Yates' illumination of the profound relationship between the scientific method and earlier attempts at mastering the universe by magical means, that stands out as a single, most important aspect of the book. In fact, I would go as far as to say that no study of history and/or philosophy of science can be complete without acknowledging and exploring the relevant insights of "The Art of memory".
If you have any interest in human attempts to comprehend and control the universe, a well-thumbed copy of this book should be on your bookshelf!
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are fascinated by history or by scholarship throughout recorded time, you should enjoy this book. Francis Yates has created a detailed examination of memory techniques and their evolution over the course of generations. Beginning in ancient Greece and continuing through the Middle Ages, Yates shows how the art of remembering began as a sort of parlor trick and developed into an important skill in both religion and the occult. The influence from both individuals and cultures is described in a scholarly (yet not annoyingly so) way. While this book is not for everyone, its intended audience should be delighted.
NOTE: This book is not a "how-to" manual for memory. It provides only a very general description of memory methods and is instead an exploration of the history of the art.
An excellent companion piece to this book is _The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci_. Both books were listed in the acknowledgements of Thomas Harris' _Hannibal_.
NOTE: This book is not a "how-to" manual for memory. It provides only a very general description of memory methods and is instead an exploration of the history of the art.
An excellent companion piece to this book is _The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci_. Both books were listed in the acknowledgements of Thomas Harris' _Hannibal_.
60 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By Al Kihano
Format:Paperback
In this era of gigabytes and floppy disks, it is easy to forget that once upon a time we had to commit things to memory. Yates does a wonderful job of recovering the ``art of memory,'' a complex and fascinating set of techniques that were in common use for thousands of years. Orators would construct elaborate conceptual ``memory palaces'' and use them to memorize speeches of staggering length.
Well-written and erudite, Yates' book is the best work I know of on this subject. She treats ancient GReek times and the medieval era with equal ease. For further reading on the subject, try Spence's _The MEmory PAlace of MAtteo Ricci_ or Carruthers' _The Book of Memory_.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Memory Arts
Frances Yates writes a balanced history of the arts of rhetoric and enlightens the modern reader about the ancient practice of memorisation - essential for an era that did not have... Read more
Published 7 months ago by pirimai
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a quick read
This is not a quick read but it is interesting. If this subject interests you then by all means enjoy.
Published 10 months ago by Urne Wisconsin
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very profound historical analysis of memory techniques
I found a reference to this book after reading Hannibal. I have been very interested in the memory techniques and wanted to find out more. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Luke Drake
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top 100 Non Fiction of Twentieth Century: Merited
I purchased The Art of Memory in January 2010, so it was what you could call a "slow burner." Basically, I bought it, read 20 pages and then put it on a book shelf for 18 month in... Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Pactor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Memory Arts clearly explained
This is by far the best scholarly work on the ancient art of memory, and, by extrapolation, the best book to illustrate and generate ideas for the modern applications of those... Read more
Published on April 18, 2010 by Bernard M. Patten
5.0 out of 5 stars
In praise of memory
Not a how to, but this book gives us answers to more profound issues: why should we care about memory and artificial memory? Read more
Published on April 16, 2010 by Frederico Lopes
4.0 out of 5 stars
A history of memory
This is pretty much an exhaustive coverage of the memory mansion technology, where a person creates a virtual space and symbols and associates information with each symbol. Read more
Published on March 2, 2009 by Taylor Ellwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent. It will change your views on Architecture and the Mind.
I consider this one of the most important books I have ever read. It changed my views on ancient and medieval architecture, memory, and the mind. Read more
Published on July 19, 2008 by William J. Romanos
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book will change your life
Quite simply one of the dozen or so most amazing books of history ever written. It will change your idea of history, art and even your own memory. Read more
Published on May 13, 2007 by Christa Walder
1.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely pass on this one
I bought the book because recently I have been into the personal mastery thing like increasing your memory, reading better, and so on. Read more
Published on September 22, 2004 by Mariano Apuya Jr
