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)

Not at all what I thought I was buying

This book was a pleasant surprise. I purchased it along with several others and, ironically, did not remember that it was a book about memory. One might think that a book about such a topic would lose one's attention quite easily. But this book is written as a story told from the author's perspective, which I found to be informative and interesting.

Pleasant story

What did you like best about this story?

The story was generally engaging but not what I was expecting. I should have paid more attention to the other reviews.

Was Moonwalking with Einstein worth the listening time?

I would have preferred to have just gotten this book from the library. I was interested in techniques and science but this is a book about his journey and adventures in the field of mental athletics. It's a story, not a manual. When he was discussing the 'how' and the science behind memory, I enjoyed it but the seemingly unending stories of interacting with the mental athletes made me want to speed through or, if in a written form, I could have jumped ahead.

Any additional comments?

This is an example of a book that would be better for me in written form. I could page ahead to what is interesting to me.

Excellent Book. The nasally narrator grows on you.

What did you love best about Moonwalking with Einstein?

It is so well researched and Josh Foer seamlessly intertwines his personal story inside that research. It's exciting and fun and educational.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Moonwalking with Einstein?

Learning that Daniel Tammet, aka Brain Man, may just be a Mental Athlete like the rest.

What about Mike Chamberlain’s performance did you like?

At first I thought his nasally voice was going to be a real problem, but then I saw an interview with the author, Josh Foer, and realized that Mike Chamberlain was basically imitating the author. He's dorky and has that traditional nerd nasal voice, so after that I just accepted it and enjoined his performance. Also, Mike Chamberlain reads quickly, whicj i love. Some of these narrator's take there sweet time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. But at 8 hours, I couldn't quite pull that off. I listen to it in pieces while exercising.

Any additional comments?

Josh Foer is a rising star for sure.

Great read – provides a snapshot into a slice of life that I had no idea existed.

This was an interesting story about memory techniques and the subculture of memory competitors. I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

There is no proof Einstein ever Moonwalked. ;)

What did you like best about Moonwalking with Einstein? What did you like least?

I liked how the author understood that even though his purpose has an important point, he realizes it also borders on frivolity. The part I liked least is that I was thinking this would teach me actual techniques to improve memory. It touches upon this briefly. But I feel like the author had come to the conclusion that the effort put into such practices and the benefits received from them result in a loss with the time spent. Therefore it focuses more on the journey of coming to know the techniques and the situations in which they are useful. (which seems to be rather small)

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was great to see how anyone can develop abilities to improve their memory, however it feels somewhat limited. I suppose the least interesting part of the story was that I had expectations that this story would help me improve my memory. It's more of a story of someone that goes through the experience of memory improvement drills.

Which character – as performed by Mike Chamberlain – was your favorite?

I don't really have a favorite in this situation.

Was Moonwalking with Einstein worth the listening time?

I have mixed feelings with this question. Does it prove that anyone can improve their memories? (Which is what I was hoping for.) Kind of. But it seems to prove more that it is technique and tricks to ultimately really be useful only for party tricks and less for important memory functions.

Interesting outlook towards learning

Would you listen to Moonwalking with Einstein again? Why?

Yes I would listen again becasue the book exposes you to techniques of learning that can be applied to everyday life.

What did you like best about this story?

Learning how to remember things that are not related

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I liked listening to it in parts and taking in the different ways of learning.

Ginkgo BILOBA. ANYONE ?

Loved it...Had no idea what the content would be about. However found it amusing and informative.
Narrative, well done!

One man's journey into a world of mental athletes

This book has nothing to do with either Moonwalking or with Einstein. Cool title, sure, but in no way a clue as to the subject matter. I most enjoyed this book when I was learning little tidbits about history. There were times when I had the impression that the author had gathered way more research material than he knew what to do with. Some listeners may feel that the author wanders a little, to find ways to share all those fun facts. Looking back from the end, though, my overall impression is of an interesting and engaging personal story of one man's experiential journey into the fringe world of mental athletes. A recommended read.

memorable

a montage of memory training complete with climatic mental knockout. a tale for the mentally athletic

great story valuable knowledge

The book was entertaining as a story and an easy to apply memory technique.