OK, this is amazing. My brother had a book years ago that turned him into a memory freak. (He's the only person I know who buys books like that and then actually works through them.) I picked it up, but it was too complicated (and I'm unbelievably lazy) and I continued on with my normal--or, possibly, subnormal--memory. This book, however, is a whole 'nother thing. I read through it ONCE, and got remarkable results.

It's based on Thomas Aquinas' teachings on memory in his "Summae Theologica." He called it the Loci Method. The basic idea is to imagine your mind as a house. Use each room and its furnishings to remember various facts, lists, etc. Each room can be used over and over again, once you get the hang of things. While St. Thomas used this for religious training, Vost concludes by showing how the method can be used in all areas of life.

Memorization has never been my strong suit....Well, at least memorization of important stuff. I do have both "Major League" and "The Princess Bride" committed to memory along with all the words to Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler." I know, I know........ Anyway, after reading the first 2 chapters once, I can comfortably tell you: 1. The Sermon on the Mount; 2. The 20 Mysteries of the rosary; 3. the 7 deadly sins and cardinal virtues; 4. The 10 commandments.....etc. etc. I can also recite them backwards, although I can't imagine when that would be helpful.

I think every high school freshman should be taught the method on their first day of school (that's all it would take). Even if you're not Catholic, or religious in any way, this book can help you. (I'm I gushing? Did I mention my pathetic inability to remember anything vaguely useful, including why my tv remote was in the freezer?) ( )