Your Memory: How It Works and How to Improve It

On the practical side, reading this book has given me a lot of ideas on how to improve my memory, and the improvements have been taking effect since I was still reading the book. This is due partly to the results given throughout the book, taken from scientific studies, such as studying seperate subjects in seperate places can reduce interference between recall of memorized information from those subjects, or that if two subjects that are very similar are being studied, (such as Italian and Spanish), then interference is much more likely so studying the two in different places or at clearly distinct times is important to reduce potential interference. So many interesting facts observed from studies are here; I'll give another example: it has been observed that after studying for a test, sleeping in the intervening time before the test results in better recall of the learnt material than if you were to stay awake, or continue to learn the material and not sleep before the test.

Techical terms such as retention, recall, overlearning, interference, et al are here and I like the systematic way that the author uses these technical terms to clarify explanations of, for example, the use of specific mneumonics later in the book, (without the technical terms there would surely be more chance of ambiguity).

The first sections of the book explain what is known so far from studies about memory and how to improve your memory in general. Later in the book, a number of mneumonic systems are expounded; namely the link, story, loci, peg, and phonetic mneumonics. The most advanced of these by far seems to be the phonetic system.

All in all this is an excellent, well written, fascinating, and beneficial book. I wholly recommend it to anyone interesting in improving their memory, or anyone with a general interest in memory.


A down-to-earth, authoritative book on memory.   December 12, 2004
the great amphibian (Hampshire, UK)
12 out of 16 found this review helpful

In the introduction to the book, one of the first things the reader realises is that the approach of the author is to present the fundamentals of memory from a scientific perspective and backing up assertions with evidence from studies. I was impressed with the frequent references to a huge number of psychological journals and also books published in the field of memory. This seems like the perfect introductory book in understanding one's memory and how to use it. The scientific objectivity of the book makes it all the more appropriate as a first book in the field, (if you would like to read several different opinions on the matter as I would), as it leads to not only knowing from evidence of the experiences of the author what is possible with memory, but also gives a sound framework of understanding how the brain is best worked with, giving data from studies to make this convincing.

On the practical side, reading this book has given me a lot of ideas on how to improve my memory, and the improvements have been taking effect since I was still reading the book. This is due partly to the results given throughout the book, taken from scientific studies, such as that studying seperate subjects in seperate places can reduce interference between recall of memorized information from those subjects, or that if two subjects that are very similar are being studied, (such as Italian and Spanish), then interference is much more likely so studying the two in different places or at clearly distinct times is important to reduce potential interference. So many interesting facts observed from studies are here; I'll give another example: it has been observed that after studying for a test, sleeping in the intervening time before the test results in better recall of the learnt material than if you were to stay awake, or continue to learn the material and not sleep before the test. This made me recall an experience when I had to memorize a lot of facts and figures for an A-level geography exam the next morning and that I decided to try memorizing the facts overnight, but ended up falling asleep just as I had memorized them all, and when I did the exam in the morning it went very well, (I got 86 out of 90), so I knew from personal experience that this observation was correct.

Techical terms such as retention, recall, overlearning, interference, et al are here and I like the systematic way that the author uses these technical terms to clarify explanations of, for example, the use of specific mneumonics later in the book, (without the technical terms there would surely be more chance of ambiguity). The first sections of the book explain what is known so far from studies about memory and how to improve your memory in general. Later in the book, a number of mneumonic systems are expounded; namely the link, story, loci, peg, and phonetic mneumonics. The most advanced of these by far seems to be the phonetic system.

All in all this is an excellent, well written, fascinating, and beneficial book. I wholly recommend it to anyone interested in improving their memory, or anyone with a general interest in memory.


Very good   February 23, 2004
19 out of 24 found this review helpful

I chose this book above all the many other memory books because it doesn't make unbelievable claims. I wasn't disappointed. everything is explained well and I'm finding it very helpful.


Essential reading. What more can you ask for?   May 22, 2002
Alan Graham
32 out of 33 found this review helpful

This book is so essential that all others books in this area should reference it. The coverage of the topics of memory, recall and storage go deep enough to satisfy all, but if you have any further queries then the references should put you on the right track.

The presentation of the subjects are clear, concise and given without being condenscending in any way. Remember to try what is taught and you will go a long way with only this book.

There are only two areas that this book could do with improving on: firstly as this book is now relatively old it should be noted that further reading is essential to keep up with recent study (most of which confirms that which has been stated) and the practicalities of the Phonetic system given here are not easy to grasp when there are simpler and more logical manifestations of this powerful technique (Tony Buzan in Master Your Memory is the one I know well)

A superb book that will be passed around my friends for a good time yet.


Excellent material!   May 2, 1999
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

I did not begin to appreciate the book until got to the Phonetic Mnemonic System. Exhaustive, practical, research-based. Unlike most memory books, Dr. Higbee did not promise results without effort. I've taught the principles I learned to many students and the results were outstanding!