Introduction

“Remember It!” is a compelling and practical guide to improving memory, written by four-time USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis. Published in 2018, this book aims to demystify the art of memorization and provide readers with actionable techniques to enhance their cognitive abilities. Dellis, drawing from his personal experiences and scientific research, presents a range of memory strategies that can be applied to various aspects of daily life, from remembering names and faces to mastering complex information.

Summary of Key Points

The Fundamentals of Memory

  • Memory is a skill: Dellis emphasizes that having a good memory is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed and improved with practice.
  • The memory palace technique: A core concept introduced is the “memory palace” or method of loci, an ancient mnemonic device that involves associating information with specific locations in a familiar space.
  • Visualization and association: The author stresses the importance of creating vivid, often exaggerated mental images to link new information with existing knowledge.

Techniques for Everyday Memory Challenges

Remembering Names and Faces

  • The importance of attention: Dellis highlights that truly focusing on a person when being introduced is crucial for later recall.
  • Name-face association: He provides a system for creating memorable links between a person’s name and their facial features.
  • Practice and review: The book emphasizes the need for regular review and practice to solidify name-face connections.

Memorizing Numbers

  • The Major System: Dellis introduces this phonetic number-consonant system for converting numbers into words.
  • Creating number stories: Readers learn to craft narratives using the Major System to remember long strings of digits.
  • Practical applications: The author demonstrates how these techniques can be used for remembering phone numbers, PINs, and historical dates.

Mastering Foreign Language Vocabulary

  • Keyword method: A technique for associating foreign words with similar-sounding words in one’s native language.
  • Creating mnemonic stories: Dellis shows how to construct memorable narratives that link foreign words with their meanings.
  • Spaced repetition: The importance of reviewing new vocabulary at increasing intervals is discussed.

Advanced Memory Techniques

Memorizing Decks of Cards

  • Card-image associations: Dellis shares his personal system for assigning memorable images to each playing card.
  • Story creation: Readers learn to weave these images into a narrative to remember the order of an entire deck.
  • Speed techniques: The author provides tips for increasing memorization speed, drawing from his competition experience.

Remembering Lists and Speeches

  • The journey method: An extension of the memory palace technique applied to memorizing lists or talking points.
  • Chunking information: Strategies for breaking down complex information into manageable, memorable units.
  • Rehearsal techniques: Dellis offers advice on how to practice and reinforce memorized content effectively.

The Science Behind Memory

  • Brain plasticity: The book explores how memory training can physically change and improve the brain.
  • The role of sleep: Dellis discusses the importance of sleep in memory consolidation and overall brain health.
  • Nutrition and exercise: The author emphasizes the connection between physical health and cognitive performance.

Key Takeaways

  • Memory is a skill that can be dramatically improved with the right techniques and consistent practice.
  • The “memory palace” technique is a powerful tool for organizing and recalling various types of information.
  • Vivid visualization and unusual associations are key to creating memorable mental images.
  • Regular review and spaced repetition are crucial for long-term retention of memorized information.
  • Techniques like the Major System can turn abstract data (like numbers) into more easily remembered narratives.
  • Improving one’s memory can have far-reaching benefits in both personal and professional life.
  • Physical health, including proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep, plays a significant role in cognitive function and memory.
  • Advanced memory techniques can be applied to a wide range of challenges, from learning languages to public speaking.
  • Developing a better memory is not just about recall, but about enhancing overall cognitive abilities and learning capacity.
  • The process of improving memory can be enjoyable and lead to increased confidence and mental acuity.

Critical Analysis

Strengths

  1. Practical Approach: One of the most significant strengths of “Remember It!” is its highly practical nature. Dellis doesn’t just explain memory techniques; he provides step-by-step instructions and real-world applications for each method. This makes the book immediately useful to readers, regardless of their current memory skills.

  2. Personal Experience: As a memory champion, Dellis brings a wealth of personal experience to the book. His anecdotes from memory competitions and his own journey of improvement add credibility and interest to the text.

  3. Scientific Backing: While the book is primarily focused on practical techniques, Dellis does a commendable job of incorporating scientific research to support his methods. This blend of practical advice and scientific foundation gives the book added depth and credibility.

  4. Comprehensive Coverage: The book covers a wide range of memory challenges, from everyday tasks like remembering names to more specialized skills like memorizing decks of cards. This broad scope makes the book relevant to a wide audience.

  5. Engaging Writing Style: Dellis maintains an engaging, conversational tone throughout the book, making complex concepts accessible to the average reader. His use of humor and personal stories keeps the material from becoming dry or overly technical.

Weaknesses

  1. Overwhelming for Beginners: While the comprehensive nature of the book is generally a strength, it may be overwhelming for complete beginners. Some readers might find the sheer number of techniques and systems introduced to be daunting.

  2. Time Commitment: Many of the techniques Dellis describes require significant time and effort to master. While he acknowledges this, some readers might be discouraged by the level of commitment required to see substantial results.

  3. Limited Discussion of Limitations: While Dellis is generally balanced in his approach, there could be more discussion about the limitations of memory techniques. For instance, there’s relatively little mention of how these methods might be less effective for individuals with certain cognitive conditions.

  4. Focus on Extraordinary Feats: At times, the book’s focus on extraordinary memory feats (like memorizing decks of cards) might seem irrelevant to readers more interested in everyday applications. While these examples are interesting, they might not resonate with all readers.

Contribution to the Field

“Remember It!” makes a significant contribution to the field of memory improvement literature. While many of the techniques Dellis describes are not new (some dating back to ancient times), his approach of combining these methods with modern scientific understanding and real-world applications is valuable.

The book serves as a bridge between academic research on memory and practical, everyday use. By making complex mnemonic systems accessible to the general public, Dellis helps demystify the process of memory improvement.

Moreover, Dellis’s status as a memory champion lends authority to the book. His personal experiences and insights offer a unique perspective that sets “Remember It!” apart from more theoretically focused memory books.

Controversies and Debates

While “Remember It!” hasn’t sparked significant controversy, it does touch on some debated areas in cognitive science:

  1. The extent of memory plasticity: While it’s widely accepted that memory can be improved, there’s ongoing debate about the extent to which extraordinary memory feats are achievable by average individuals.

  2. Transfer of skills: Some researchers question whether training in specific memory techniques (like memorizing decks of cards) transfers to general cognitive improvement.

  3. Long-term effectiveness: While the techniques in the book can lead to impressive short-term recall, there’s ongoing research into how effectively these methods translate to long-term retention and real-world application.

  4. Individual differences: The book could perhaps do more to address how factors like age, education, and cognitive differences might impact the effectiveness of these techniques for different individuals.

Despite these potential points of contention, the overall reception of “Remember It!” has been positive, with many readers and experts praising its practical approach to memory improvement.

Conclusion

“Remember It!” by Nelson Dellis is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their memory and overall cognitive function. The book successfully bridges the gap between academic memory research and practical application, offering readers a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing their memory skills.

Dellis’s engaging writing style, combined with his firsthand experience as a memory champion, makes for an informative and entertaining read. The wide range of techniques covered ensures that readers will find strategies applicable to their specific needs, whether they’re looking to remember names better, learn a new language, or simply improve their overall recall.

While the book may be somewhat overwhelming for complete beginners and requires significant time and effort to fully implement its teachings, the potential benefits make it a worthwhile investment for most readers. The techniques presented have applications far beyond mere memorization, potentially enhancing overall learning capacity, cognitive function, and even confidence.

“Remember It!” stands out in the field of memory improvement literature for its combination of ancient techniques, modern science, and real-world applicability. It’s not just a book about memory tricks; it’s a comprehensive guide to unlocking one’s cognitive potential.

Whether you’re a student looking to improve your study skills, a professional aiming to enhance your work performance, or simply someone interested in sharpening your mind, “Remember It!” offers valuable insights and practical strategies. While it’s important to approach the extraordinary feats described in the book with realistic expectations, the core message—that memory is a skill that can be improved with practice—is both empowering and well-supported.

In an age of information overload, the ability to effectively remember and process information is more valuable than ever. “Remember It!” provides readers with the tools to do just that, making it a worthy addition to anyone’s personal development library.

Remember It! can be purchased on Amazon. I earn a small commission from purchases made using this link.