Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I recommend this book. It is one of the few of its subject matter written by a man who has competed and succeeded at passing tests in international memory competitions. He does not sugar coat the need for initial effort spent learning the systems, and does not belabor the obvious need & benefits of practice. He does not over-complicate the systems that he does introduce. AFTER finishing this book a little extra reading in the subject area, proved that without using the more commonly recognized terms, Mr. Horsley covered many areas of value including the "Major System" for handling the memorization of numbers based on a method of translating numbers into sounds. I suspect that what practice reveals to some readers..(like me).. about the gaps in their understanding, will motivate them to fill those gaps and practice some more. We all learn differently, & for this reason Mr. Horsley's book is a decent springboard from which to launch oneself into the act of mental improvement. The "Aha" moment before I wrote this review relates to a deeper understanding of the "Journey Method". Be sure to visit a few internet forums that discuss the practice of memory techniques and light your own lamp out of the darkness. 2015-02-23 UPDATE There are a few points that Mr. Horsley doesn't explicitly state, that are worth mentioning. 1. The words created by the system he introduces in Chapter 12, can be used to create "Peg words" that upon creation are automatically organised in order. Create them, borrow from other people's lists if you have to and take the time to organise your source material so you rank the items/concepts to be remembered in numerical order. 2. Intimately familiarize yourself with the meaning of the word "INCONGRUOUS". It conveys in less than a sentence how to form images that "stick." (E.g. A bear with wings stuck to a honey pot") 3. After you read Chapter 9, and start trying things on your own.... WRITE DOWN your "markers" or places along the journey or "objects" within the room. Like with anything else, that handwriting, eye, brain thing seems to add stickiness. 2016-08-17 UPDATE Checked my "Manage Your Content and Devices" section and discovered there is an update to this book. I am not sure what has changed yet. Sincerely, Simple Guy.