Improving Memory and Study Skills: Advances in Theory and Practice

This book is utterly superb. I have never read such a clear, practical, and detailed book on how memory works, and how to improve it. It takes a strategy perspective (although it uses the term manipulation) and shows how many different ways can be used singularly or in combination to fit particular study and memory tasks. So there is nothing about mystical breathing techniques, yoga, the use of baroque music, the application of NLP, the increase of IQ or the use of pseudoscience to twist any issues. It relies on strategies that everyone has access to without the attendance of seminars or gurus. E.G, getting reasonable sleep, not being alcoholic, as well as typical external and internal memory strategies such as writing things down, placing objects as reminders, the correct application of the search for meaning and the use of visual mnemonics. The high level of organization in the text makes it very easy to read. There are brief and clear summary sections at the end of each chapter, and clear advanced organisers throughout. The best thing, I feel, is the addition of about 40 different strategies suited to various tasks that are common to study. All the strategies are reasoned out, and research is quoted for support. Both useful and inspiring. True "super" learning.