National Geographic Memory: What It Is, How It Works, and Ways You Can Improve It

Well illustrated with layman friendly explanations. National Geographic did an outstanding job producing this book!

This was suggested reading for a “lifelong Learning” course on Brain, Mind, Memory. The book is arranged into an intro then 3 chapters on i) How Memory Works, 2) How Memory Changes, 3) How to Keep memory sharp. Just about every other page is a full color picture (e.g. a groom kissing a bride, a woman sleeping a cup of coffee) or graphic, so of the 95 pages about half is material. The two-page graphic on Mapping Memory, is very good. The final chapter on How to Keep Memory Sharp, is a reasonable introduction, on value of exercise, diet, sleep and mental challenges. If you’re looking for “tricks to help you remember” there are just 2 pages on that. The lack of references (other than other National Geographic articles) is a real drawback.

This is a good resource for a young student writing about the brain or maybe short reading for an adult to determine if they're interested enough to buy more detailed works about the brain, memory, psychology, etc. Print quality is good but the interior paper is not the same as a normal National Geographic newsstand edition (matte paper / more like office paper run through a color laser printer).

A definitely good read, I bought a second one as a present