Review: Unlimited Memory: How to Use Advanced Learning Strategies to Learn Faster, Remember More, and be More Productive by Grandmaster Kevin Horsley
by H. Murray. Sept. 14th, 2020.
TCK Publishing sent this book to us for review over the summer. It has been out for some time but definitely deserved our attention. Who doesn’t want or need to work on their memory skills? I hear musicians speak about their poor memories all the time. They can't memorize pieces or struggle to remember dates and opus numbers in music school (you can include me in this group). Many of us meet new people at a social or professional event and immediately forget their names. Often, we chalk this up to simply having a bad memory, but that doesn't make sense when you think about it. How can one remember a concerto that is 45 minutes long, but not a 2-syllable name you learned 5 minutes ago?
Author Kevin Horsley is considered an 'International Grandmaster of Memory". He is a World Record holder for 'The Everest of Memory Tests.' He can remember hundreds and thousands of numbers, words, dates, and more. In his book, Unlimited Memory, he explains some simple tricks, tools, and skills that he uses that will improve your memory too. And they work.
Granted, I haven't read many books about memory improvement, so I wouldn't consider myself an expert, BUT I have had to memorize all sorts of things: Where I left my car keys (this is a perpetual problem), recital programs, names, directions. You name it. When my students and friends ask for help with their memory skills, I return to faulty methods that aren't the best.
Do more repetitions.
Say it out loud.
Repeat the name back to the speaker. Etc.
But how is it that some people have to repeat things a jillion times and others have to repeat it once, maybe twice. Horsley explains the tricks and secrets that take you from repeating information over and over again to remembering it almost immediately. I tried them, tested them, and they work. They’re not difficult, but they take time to master and incorporate into your daily routines. Horsley says that, much like with music, regular practice will garner consistent improvement.
Some of Horsley’s suggestions are easy to understand and seem obvious – give something your full attention. Don’t micromanage. Celebrate times when your memory is GOOD, don't just berate yourself when you forget things. Others are more complicated – specific memory devices and tricks to keep lists and items lodged in your mind for more extended periods. It is a change in how I think and an exciting development in how I will be taking in and interacting with life and learning.
Read this book if you want to improve your concentration, memory, confidence, intelligence, etc. It's helpful if you're in school and need to memorize data, study for big exams, network, go to the grocery store, live life, and present your best self. We highly recommend this one!
You can find the book here
The TCK Publishing website is here
And the author’s website is here