Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer

I've no idea how I ended up with this book but after completing it I realised it was not really a bad choice. I've seen worse.

So the book is about the experiences of a curious journalist who went to cover an event of memory championship, and being fascinated by it participated in it next year. He actually ended up winning the event too.

The whole book looks like notes on how he prepared and his experiences during that time.

Joshua emphasises a lot on how we've forgotten the art of memorising, and more prone to rote learning. There are historical references of how memory was an integral part of the whole learning process.

He is of the thought that with some basic practices and exercises anybody can boost their memory. A lot of times author sounds a lot rational but many at times he over did it in pushing the point.

I totally agree with him that given the technological advances we've stopped memorising a lot of things but I never thought that this is the main skill of learning. I'm actually of the thought that after forgetting what you read, whatever remains is a learning. It is not really memorising something word by word with some recommended techniques.

I don't have a very good memory but I think that from all the books that I read I don't remember all the characters and plots. It makes me feel bad sometimes but I also go back to my favourite books and not because I forgot it but I wanted to go through it again for the pleasure of reading it.

Anyways you take a call on what you want a great memory or you are fine with all that you remember. But the books is a light read and you can even finish it fast.