Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

by Joshua Foer

Paperback

307 pages

Table of Contents:

One The Smartest Man is Hard to Find 3

Two The Man Who Remembered Too Much

Three The Expert Expert 49

Four The Most Forgetful Man in the World 69

Five The Memory Palace 89

Eight The Ok Plateau 163

Nine The Talented Tenth 187

Ten The Little Rain Man in All Of US 211

Eleven The USA Memory Championship 237

Epilogue 259

Acknowledgments 273

Notes 275

Bibliography 289

Index 299

"Moonwalking with Einstein" by Joshua Foer is a captivating exploration of memory and its profound impact on our lives. Foer's remarkable journey from a chronically forgetful science journalist to a U.S. Memory Champion forms the backdrop for an eye-opening investigation into the hidden influence of memory.

On average, people waste forty days each year compensating for things they've forgotten. Foer was once among them, but after a year of memory training, he found himself competing in the finals of the U.S. Memory Championship. More importantly, he unearthed a crucial truth: our memories shape who we are in every meaningful way.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, cultural history, and ancient mnemonic techniques, Foer reveals that we can all dramatically improve our memories. Immersing himself in the world of competitive memorizers, he learns techniques that rely on imagination and creativity rather than mere rote memorization.

From the PAO system, which transforms numbers into vivid images, to the memory palace method, where memories are stored within imaginary structures, Foer's journey demonstrates that memory is as much about perseverance and ingenuity as it is about recall.

Beyond the realm of mental athletes, Foer's exploration takes him across the country and into his own mind. He encounters individuals with severe amnesia, savants who have memorized thousands of books, and educators using ancient memory techniques to empower their students.