The Memory Prescription: Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan to Keep Your Brain and Body Young (Paperback)

~ Gary Small (Author), (Author) "You're at a party with your wife when you spot a familiar face across the room..." (more)
Key Phrases: memory prescription, physical aerobic conditioning, misty ocean breeze, Left-Brain Exercise, Right-Brain Exercise, Deep Breathing Dips (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Director of the UCLA Center on Aging, Small (The Memory Bible) presents his "boot camp for the brain" program, which pulls together the four most well-proven strategies for brain and body health: mental activity, physical conditioning, stress reduction and a "healthy brain diet." Small admits no one has found "the fountain of youth," but claims to be "among the billions awaiting a first sighting." In the meantime, he suggests using this book's memory assessment tests, basic low-fat meal plans and brain-teasing exercises to achieve "quality longevity." He peppers his chapters with a "subjective memory questionnaire," "right brain" and "left brain" exercises and advanced memory drills that suggest assigning visual images to words and names (e.g., "Weinberger: a bottle of wine falling on a burger"). Employing a chatty writing style that occasionally lapses into infomercial-speak ("But wait, there's more!"), Small manages to intersperse authoritative scientific evidence from leading research universities throughout the text. But much of the information here can be found in a variety of other fitness and lifestyle books, such as relaxation and stress reduction techniques, healthy diet and exercise plans, and examples of the power of positive thinking and keeping mentally active. Small pays scant attention to popular (if unproven) memory-boosting rejuvenators like hormone replacement therapy and ginkgo biloba. Small's reporting on memory research may be up to the minute, but overall his book feels padded and unoriginal.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"A straight-forward, easily-understood, entertaining book that explains how the brain ages and what we can do to slow it down." -- Rachel Doody, M.D., Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine

"Before your memory slips, use The Memory Prescription to improve your memory and keep it stronger than you thought possible." -- Mark Goulston, M.D., author of Get Out of Your Own Way

"Dr. Small's 14-Day "Boot Camp for the Brain" is an easy way to safeguard your brain and body against aging." -- Alan Gelenberg, M.D., University of Arizona College of Medicine

"Dr. Small's eminently readable book is an indispensable guide to improved memory, clear, rational thinking and increased mental agility." -- Nicholas Perricone, M.D., author of The Perricone Prescription and The Wrinkle Cure

"Engaging and stimulating, Memory Prescription provides us with the insights we need to stay healthy and maintain memory fitness." -- Judith Reichman, M.D., author of Slow Down Your Clock

"I guarantee readers of The Memory Prescription will have more confidence in their memory and an increased sense of well-being." -- Stephen Salloway, M.D., Brown University Medical School

"Practical steps you can take in all aspects of lifestyle to keep your brain and mind in good working order." -- Andrew Weil, M.D., author of Natural Health, Natural Medicine

"Small has put together a tight, neatly wrapped package that will jump-start nearly everyone's memory . . . perfect, timely, practical, and brilliant." -- P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., Duke University Medical Center

"Worried about your brain? Don't be. The answers are finally all in one place -- this practical, light-hearted, and reassuring manual." -- Pierre Tariot, M.D., University of Rochester School of Medicine --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (June 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786888776
• ISBN-13: 978-0786888771
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #497,246 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THANKS FOR THE MEMORY, June 23, 2004

By	Donald Seigel (BEVERLY HILLS, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Memory Prescription: Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan to Keep Your Brain and Body Young (Hardcover)

I recently picked up a copy of Dr.Gary Small's THE MEMORY PRESCRIPTION--a 14-day plan that offers a healthy diet for your brain and body along with various exercises aimed at increasing your physical and mental fitness and reducing your stress. You only have to read the inside flap of this book to notice that, like most authors of self-improvement books, Dr. Small promises alot. Unlike most authors, though, he makes good on his promise. I don't want to sound like an infomercial here, but after reading his book and close to faithfully committing to his plan, I'm feeling more focused and have alot more energy. And my memory has improved. This is not just my subjective assessment; the book contains tests you can take which gage objectively your memory improvement from day to day. I have also lost four pounds; either that or my wife is playing a cruel joke with my scale. Not bad results for two weeks. I found the book to be a light and enjoyable read. I also found the exercises to be both fun and challenging. Most importantly, I was able to commit to Dr. Small's plan with relative ease, which was a pleasant surprise and rarely my experience with these kinds of books. I recommend THE MEMORY PRESCRIPTION to anybody looking to increase their vitality and improve their memory and overall health--which, I assume, is just about everyone.

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It really works!, June 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Memory Prescription: Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan to Keep Your Brain and Body Young (Hardcover)

I've been waiting for this book ever since I read The Memory Bible. I need to be told just what to do to when I'm looking for improvement, and this book delivers. I went from feeling distracted, disorganized, and forgetful, to losing a few pounds and feeling much more confident about my memory--in just two weeks. My co-workers and kids even noticed the difference. The added plus is that Dr. Small has the medical evidence to back up his program. It's definitely worth trying if you're looking for a quick way to memory improvement.

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE, June 24, 2004

By	Mark Goulston "Dr. Mark" (Santa Monica, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Memory Prescription: Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan to Keep Your Brain and Body Young (Hardcover)

There's a saying that applies to muscles and minds: "If you don't use it, you lose it." Anyone who has watched their own mind or the the mind of someone they love begin to slip knows how painful it can be. Prior to this book, it seemed that all one could do was to helplessly watch this process. Dr. Small's book shows that there are many things all of us can do at any age to keep our minds vital and sharp. Recent research has shown that the brain can in some cases regenerate brain cells. It wouldn't surprise me if in the future some of the practical approaches that Dr. Small offers may actually assist in that process.