Herrmann, Douglas J.: Super memory. A quick-action programme for memory improvement. London: Blandford, 1995.
Contents: The importance of memory; the new memory improvement system; how good is your memory? getting your memory in peak condition; meet the people: your memory on stage; mental manipulations; memory support systems; how to remember the 100 things you’re most likely to forget; memory savvy: meeting your potential.
Author’s qualifications: An American academic who has done extensive work on memory training and published several popular books on memory improvement.
Readability: Easy to read.
Accuracy: Good sensible, accurate advice.
Currency: The book is ten years old. Given its content, its age is not particularly important.
Comprehensiveness: Nothing really on how memory works, but great for sensible useful specific advice on how to improve your memory in general and in specific situations – this indeed is the strength of the book – the 60 pages (nearly ¼ of the book) on task-specific manipulations).
Amount of background knowledge assumed: None.
Usefulness: Very useful for thinking of specific strategies for particular tasks (e.g., losing keys, remembering where you parked the car).
Memorability: Reasonably clear. Very specific details. Not integrated or fascinating or organized to make remembering easy.
Interest: Not exactly packed with fascinating detail, but that’s not what it’s about. Sensible rather than interesting would be my judgment.
Balance: Herrmann has published academic papers on the difference between general memory strategies and task-specific manipulations, and the importance of such task-specific manipulations in improving memory. This book is clearly an attempt to offer practical advice to the population at large about effective task-specific strategies.
Availability: Out of print according to Amazon, although New Zealand's Flying Pig site claims it's available. Many libraries will have a copy.
Includes index, references (by chapter, not alphabetically indexed).
Overall rating (reflects my own opinion of the book’s worth, not its usefulness to you): ***
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