Foer became interested in people who participate in competitive memorization contests, and when those people told him that anyone can do it, he put that idea to the test and spent a year learning advanced memorization techniques and successfully competing in memorization tournaments.

I read this because I was interested in learning some memorization techniques myself. The book does discuss some of the techniques in detail, but it also spends a lot of time talking about the people who participate in memory championships, the history of the competitions, and Foer's own experiences. That was all reasonably interesting, but wasn't the information I was really looking for.

If you're interested in memorization techniques, I think Mary Carruther's Book of Memory is far more interesting. ( )

not sure what category to put this in. ( )

Engaging and interesting. ( )

Awesome reading.

It is not an how-to manual to be a mnemonist, it describe the path that Joshua did in order to become the US memory champion.
It is a path full of insights, anecdotes and funny stories that help the reader understand the deep work behind a mnemonist.

I appreciate digressions about "savantism", interviews and all the research details reported.
Thanks Joshua. ( )

There's a general standing at my door with a spinning baton in his hand, a plate of Kung Pao on the table in the next room. On the wall there's a great grandfather clock with a crazy bird that keeps screaming while my Mom teaches me maths.
( )