Starting a Mnemonics Library

General Memory Chat
1

I live in Australia so freight is always an important consideration when ordering anything from the USA. Thus when I want something from Amazon I tend to order several items off my Wish List at once.

So I’d like your input on this:

Given that I’m a complete newbie to mnemonics what would you suggest as the, let’s say 4, most important books on the topic.

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I have read Josh Cohen’s long list, and the FAQ, and the Book Reviews post, and this one, and a few others, but that’s just too much for me to make and informed selection from.

Looking for the top four to get a novice started.

In making your suggestions please consider that I currently have no interest in competitive memory activities. Not interested in memorising card decks, or pi to 100,000 places, or massive binary numbers, or anything like that. I am interested in learning facts, languages, histories, that sort of thing. After my current challenge, which I’m still battling with, my next effort will probably be languages – possibly Japanese and Spanish.

And as much as I like a good story, at my current level I’m more interested in practical tutorials.

Even if you agree with someone else’s suggestion please proffer yours anyway, which will give me an idea of popularity. Authors please don’t hesitate to recommend your own work if suitable to my needs.

EDIT:

I should have given more explanation. I meant to add in that I have seen this list also but I’ve made this post anyway, because:

  1. There is no indication of how long ago that list was posted, and there may be more appropriate titles released since.

  2. The way the list reads, “How to Develop a Brilliant Memory” is more a reference for “Quantum Memory Power”, and the other two, “The Art of Memory” and “Moonwalking with Einstein” seem to be more story/narrative than instructional.

So in the absence of anything new, I’m happy to put “Quantum Memory Power” and “You Can Have an Amazing Memory” at the top of my list, but that still leaves a question of two others for my Amazon order.

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2

The Art of Memory does not teach mnemonics. The author has never tried the techniques herself. Its just the history of mnemonics. Moonwalking with Einstein does give a basic to intermediate explanation for pretty much all the techniques, as well as some basic history of memory. Its a great book to start with. Quantum Memory Power is more of an intermediate to advanced book, but can still be applied by beginners.

Both QMP and MWE are sort of introductions to the systems though. They encourage you to develop your own take on these techniques, as in, you will not use them exactly as the authors do. There is a lot of leeway in memory techniques, and you will adapt their systems to make it work best for you.

I also read some tony buzan books and one from derren brown, but they do not add anything new, and I do not recommend them. Tony Buzans books seem more of a collection of ideas, but are not well explained or demonstrated, for example Sem Cubed is just described, there is no guide or common mistakes or anything.

Most of the same info about memory techniques can be found online, but I recommend Quantum Memory Power the most, its a great overview of mnemonics. There are things such as planning appointments, calculating day of week, remembering childhood memories, (I think counting cards but could be mistaken).

3

Well so far my tentative list, in no particular order, is:

  • Moonwalking with Einstein (Joshua Foer)
  • Quantum Memory Power (Dominic O’Brien)
  • You Can Have an Amazing Memory (Dominic O’Brien)
  • How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week (Dominic O’Brien)
  • Remember, Remember (Ed Cook)

As I searched forum posts those titles seemed to have been the most recommended.

I need to pull it back to 4 titles for this initial order, so some questions:

  1. Since 3 of of those titles are by Dominic O’Brien I’m wondering how much overlap there might be? Maybe one or two could be left for a later order.

  2. It appears that “Quantum Memory Power” is an audio CD. When trying to learn something new I usually do best by reading, flipping back a page and rereading, looking at images & diagrams. I’ve used and benefited from educational audio CDs in the past, but it wouldn’t be my format of choice for a first foray into a serious study of mnemonics. Comments?

  3. Any titles I’ve missed that really should be given consideration? I can only order 4 memory books this time around, but I don’t mind how big my wish list gets.

I’d like to get this order off in the next couple of days as delivery takes a while from the US, so any/all input welcome.

PM if you prefer.

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Hi Soporose

I see no real benefit to you in having more than one of those books by Dominic at this stage, much as I regard him as 'the master". Check out the contents on Amazon to decide which one looks best for you.

I actually started with his ‘How to develop a perfect memory’ which is a great book.

I also have his “Super Memory Power” audio course, which has the huge benefit of coming with 4 detailed supporting books as well.

Sadly you will struggle to find either of these for sale at a sensible price.

Since you have mentioned practical books, then I would probably suggest you add 'Memorize the Faith" by Kevin Vost, because this has quite detailed explanations on creating your own memory palace.

Gavino

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Thanks Gavino. I’ve taken that on board and done a bit more research. Dominic O’Brien has so many publications on the market that it’s a bit hard to sort one from the other without recommendations from people I trust (i.e. you mob here).

“How to Develop a Perfect Memory”: Gulp! The pricing has lost me! In Hardcover priced from $159.99 (used) to $231.50 (new). ISBN-10: 1857931068 ISBN-13: 978-1857931068. A softcover version is priced at $89.03, against a note that there is only one left in stock. ISBN-10: 0747245177 ISBN-13: 978-0747245179.

“Super Memory Power”: couldn’t find it for sale anywhere.

'Memorize the Faith": have added it to my Amazon Wish List, but I’m afraid the subject matter is a bit off-putting for me. One of the problems with Gary Lanier’s Verbatim Method as demonstrated by Gary in his video, is that he uses Chapter & Verse from the Bible as reference points, but that sort of referencing just doesn’t work for my purpose.

“Quantum Memory Power”: there are 2 versions shown on Amazon, with vastly differing prices. Version #1. Version #2. Anyone know what’s the difference?

How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week: available from Amazon but also fairly expensive at $65.

Moonwalking with Einstein: available from Amazon and very affordable at around $12

You Can Have an Amazing Memory: available from Amazon and very affordable and around $17.

Remember, Remember (Ed Cook): From $40.88 used to $342.54 new. A bit expensive!

Please let’s have your comments people. I want my first purchase of mnemonic references to be as useful as possible, without spending a fortune. Well, I can’t afford to spend a fortune, so that’s all there is to it.

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those are good books, I have read joshua foer and dominic o’brien although I Recommend the forum wiki as a guide, or to see the big picture of mnemonics.

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How to develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week is available new for a tenth of that cost on Amazon UK.

The more expensive Quantum Memory Power version looks more comprehensive and more equivalent to my Super Memory Power, BUT there is no clear mention of the workbooks, which would be a big loss if not provided - or maybe that is one of the differences.

Don’t be put off by the subject matter of “Memorize the Faith” as I nearly was… It doesn’t meet my concept of God either, but the memory content and process are great for a beginner. Your call of course and you have plenty of other good options there!

Gavino

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I forgot(Ironically) about Remember, Remember by Ed Cooke. Its the most detailed, step by step, comprehensive guide to memorizing… Kings and queens, British prime ministers, American presidents, countries of Europe

It tells you exactly what to visualize, where to do it, how to do it. But only about those subjects. I recommend a different book, that teaches more techniques, and allows you to create your own images.

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“How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week”: Thanks for the tip Gavino – I must remember to check Amazon UK in future. I see they have a publication date of 3 January 2014 against that book so maybe some of those very high prices will reduce now that scarcity is no longer a factor. There is one puzzling thing with regard to this publication: It’s full title is advertised as “How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week: 52 Proven Ways to Enhance Your Memory” (2006 version) and as “How to … Week by Week: 50 Proven Ways to Enhance Your Memory” (2014 version). Seems like we’ve lost a couple of “ways” since the original.

“Moonwalking with Einstein”: 2 different covers, both paperback, with a £10 difference in price. I ordered the cheaper version from the UK.

'Memorize the Faith" £11.53 to Amazon UK customers only, available from an outside seller for £24 but despatched from New York. Bought direct from Amazon US at $15.73.

“Remember, Remember”: Absurd prices everywhere. No thanks.

“You Can Have an Amazing Memory”: Slightly cheaper from UK at £7.69.

“How to Develop a Perfect Memory”. Some used from outside sources at Amazon UK at £30 / US$49 + $11.50 delivery. That’s the best deal I could find, but 60 bucks is too rich for me at this time.

“Quantum Memory Power”: £24/$40 or £82/$135 from Amazon UK for the 2 versions, again, cheaper than Amazon US. Cheaper still from some outside suppliers. With regard to the cheaper version, I found a review that reads"this CD set is similar to its more expensive counterpart, the only difference being (a) the coursework is truncated from 8 to 6 discs (b) the workbook is not included." But he also included “if you are struggling between purchasing this version or the more pricey version, go for this one, its basically the same material.” Think I’ll skip both for now.

So I have ordered “Moonwalking with Einstein”, “How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week” and “You Can Have an Amazing Memory” from Amazon UK, and “Memorize the Faith” from Amazon US.

Should be a good cross section to start with Thanks to those who provided input.

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It’s available on Abe Books for about $45. Keep an eye out for deals. I think I got mine for something like $20.

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Amazon US 9.99 Kindle Edition

Truthfully, I’m not that fond of the book at any price. It shows how Ed Cooke might memorize some random thing like the Kings of England but of course his images are his own and are not yours. It’s entertaining to see what goes on in his head, though.

I like “You Can Have an Amazing Memory.” It talks about how Dominic developed his system, where he started and some of his experiences in memory competitions. So I think it is relevant for many here.

12

Thanks for the tip on Abe Books. I’m going to have to have a look around that site as there might be more bargains there of interest to me.

13

Thanks, but I don’t own a Kindle and not keen to buy into one.

Some of my books arrived from Amazon UK. I’ve finished “You Can Have an Amazing Memory” and started on “How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week”

Yes, that does interest me, but I’ll probably leave it until I finished the others that I’ve ordered.

14

Hi Soporose

Don’t forget you can get a free kindle app for iPhone, android, PC etc.

Gavino

15

No, I didn’t know that, and I’ll probably take a look at the Android version out of curiosity.

But it’s not purchasing the device I’m opposed to – it’s the format. I had a look at a Kindle owned by a relative and decided fairly quickly that I much prefer print on paper. Call it a sign of old-age if you like! Possibly got something to do with failing eyesight also.

The portability is certainly a great convenience, but that feature is not something I need badly enough to sacrifice comfort and familiarity (as I perceive it).

Thanks for the tip.

16

The best book I have ever read for memory is Your Memory by Kenneth L. Higbee. It pretty much covers the basics and is very detailed. I would recommend it for all levels.

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