Moonwalking with Einstein

The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

By: Joshua Foer

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The blockbuster phenomenon that charts an amazing journey of the mind while revolutionizing our concept of memory.

An instant best seller that is poised to become a classic, Moonwalking with Einstein recounts Joshua Foer's yearlong quest to improve his memory under the tutelage of top "mental athletes". He draws on cutting-edge research, a surprising cultural history of remembering, and venerable tricks of the mentalist's trade to transform our understanding of human memory. From the United States Memory Championship to deep within the author's own mind, this is an electrifying work of journalism that reminds us that, in every way that matters, we are the sum of our memories.

©2011 Joshua Foer (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

“Highly entertaining.” (Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker)

“Funny, curious, erudite, and full of useful details about ancient techniques of training memory.” (The Boston Globe)

"His passionate and deeply engrossing book...is a resounding tribute to the muscularity of the mind.... In the end, Moonwalking with Einstein reminds us that though brain science is a wild frontier and the mechanics of memory little understood, our minds are capable of epic achievements." (The Washington Post)

Interesting and funny story

I found this book referenced by Adam Grant's work life podcast, and bought the audiobook. It's a great story about memory and memory competitions. It's also interesting to juxtapose developing your memory vs using devices to remember for you, like Amazon echo, iPhones. Etc.

Practical, inspiring and enjoyable

A great story, skillfully told, intertwined with numerous practical tips for anyone wishing to improve their memory skills.
The historical overview and psychological/pathological research is eye opening.
Great book!

This book could change a life if used wisely.

This book could change your life if used wisely. I'm starting to try some of the memory techniques. I have just started but I definitely notice a difference.

Fun read/listen

This is a fun and enjoyable read that also provides some valuable tips
To increase your memory capacity. The story isn't the most compelling, but I felt that I learned a lot and had fun doing it!

Curiously Interesting!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and found it mysterious and captivating. I've always enjoyed learning about the capacities of the human mind and how some people choose to use it. I was sceptical before reading the book, but once I was into it, I looked forward to my long commutes to work. I found it fascinating. I was a little disappointed in how the book ended. It's conclusion was suprising to me and unexpected, but reasonable. I'll leave it at that.

thoroughly enjoyable

Really dug this book. Actually practiced one of the memory strategies and got it down. Entertaining and enjoyable read.

Great Story

When you put your mind, proper extreme focus and time to something, it works out

Fascinating

I wish my brain worked like this. I suppose everyone has done the brain load and dump for tests. But to do this reliably, repeatedly, and store the information is astounding.

Great story

I loved it. It was a great story. I sharpen some of my memory techniques and memorized a passage using some of the techniques that he described. However the biggest benefit was just learning more about how the brain works.

Very enjoyable read

This is a life experience well told that gives insight into memory practices and a subculture that embraces it. It’s a very good read and much more than a tutorial.