Moonwalking with Einstein
by Joshua Foer
A journalist spends a year training for the US Memory Championship and, in the process, explains how memory works and how ancient techniques like the memory palace still beat raw repetition. It is funny, well-reported and practical, though the author is candid that remembering decks of cards did not change his everyday forgetfulness much.
Read it if…
you learn for a living and want to understand memory, with a few techniques you can actually use.
Skip it if…
you want a pure how-to; this is narrative with technique woven in.
Three things you will actually use
- Convert abstract information into vivid images.
- Place images along a familiar route.
- Practice deliberately past the plateau.
Do this first
Build a memory palace from your home and place tomorrow's ten tasks in it, room by room.
Our verdict
Entertaining and genuinely educational; the best popular book on memory.
Compare with other Mindset books
A Mind for Numbers
Barbara Oakley · Mindset
A practical, research-grounded manual; the best book on how to study.
CLICK TO SEE
The Inner Game of Tennis
W. Timothy Gallwey · Mindset
A quiet, brilliant little book; the root of a whole field.
CLICK TO SEEBrowse all Mindset book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.