This book was written by a cellular biologist and presents the mechanics of the mind on a very accessible level. The short entertaining chapters cover various aspects of memory. The author has a very colorful style of writing that make the book a lot of fun to read.
A little disappointing...
I had high hopes when I ordered this book. Some of the concepts and anecdotes were interesting but ultimately I felt the book was weighed down with too many physiological explanations behind memory. Ironically, I didn't take away very much from this book.
Dwarfing a problem.
May I briefly review a review? The Kirkus review rightly points out that some memory techniques are more work than they are worth. This is a shame because it discourages people from learning simple and effective memory methods which have benefited me greatly me all my life. Case in point. The Kirkus review mentions the clumsy phrase used to remember the names of the Seven Dwarfs. Agreed. A much easier way to remember them is with this phrase ("dopey* in this context means not fully aware, nodding off):Bash a Dopey Doctor and you'll make him Grumpy. Leave and he'll be Happy to fall aSleep if he can stop Sneezing. Make the silly picture in your head and you'll never forget the names of the 7D.
To initiate the memory, think of Snow White hitting all the dwarves on the head with a cartoon mallet.
Solid scholarship with a sweet candy-coating.
"Committed to Memory" is pop-science at its best: educational and entertaining. Not just some pseudo-scientific re-hash of ancient mnemonics like "Mega Memory" and so many other memory books out there; this book also preents the latest in legitimate scientific research on how memory works. Reading it provides one of those rare "a-ha" experiences; we are given explanations for facets of memory we all notice, but have seldom taken much time to ponder. Deserves to be a best seller.