Author: Douglas J. Herrmann
Genre: Non-Fiction (Self Improvement)
Date Finished:
There seems to be a bit of a divide regarding memory books. There are memory books about the science of memory, how the mind works and so forth, such as Seven Sins of Memory, and there are practical books with techniques for enabling faster memorization of information, such as Learn to Remember and Complete Guide to Memory Mastery.
This book is quite firmly in no where land, with little science (there are a couple of vaguely referenced studies), common sense suggestions for helping you remember things (review at graduated intervals) and a couple of memory systems which are quickly brushed over, and incorrect. The Major System (called the number letter system in the book) does not translate Bill to 955, it translates to 95 because the major system is phonetic and two l's represent a single sound. Billy Lee translates 955. The Method of Loci does not mean you stick a map of Europe on the wall and add some pins for you favorite attractions. Given the level of factual information about memory systems in this book, you are better off learning them from Wikipedia.
Learn to Remember
Author: Dominic O'Brien
Genre: Non-fiction (Self Improvement)
Date Finished: January 27, 2010
This book is written by an 8 time winner of the World Memory Championships. It contains some history of memory techniques, some information on how memory works as well as practical techniques for systems of memory for memorizing information. A very interesting book.
Be aware, this book is just like a book on juggling techniques. A little information requires a great deal of practice.
Genre: Non-fiction (Self Improvement)
Date Finished: January 27, 2010
This book is written by an 8 time winner of the World Memory Championships. It contains some history of memory techniques, some information on how memory works as well as practical techniques for systems of memory for memorizing information. A very interesting book.
Be aware, this book is just like a book on juggling techniques. A little information requires a great deal of practice.
The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers
Author: Daniel L. Schacter
Genre: Non-fiction (Psychology)
Date Finished: January 25, 2010
This book is a breakdown of the various unreliable traits of the human memory, how memory works (and doesn't), and how it is probably beneficial for us that we don't infallibly remember everything.
There is a brief mention of memory systems used for memorization and how they function by creating an extra cognitive load to help us remember the things we are trying to memorize.
The following various ways our memories are unreliable are covered:
There is a final chapter that talks about how the infallibility traits of our memories are probably good and useful characteristics. For example, the lack of details allows us to easily generalize.
Genre: Non-fiction (Psychology)
Date Finished: January 25, 2010
This book is a breakdown of the various unreliable traits of the human memory, how memory works (and doesn't), and how it is probably beneficial for us that we don't infallibly remember everything.
There is a brief mention of memory systems used for memorization and how they function by creating an extra cognitive load to help us remember the things we are trying to memorize.
The following various ways our memories are unreliable are covered:
- The Sin of Transience
- The Sin of Absent-mindedness
- The Sin of Blocking
- The Sin of Misattribution
- The Sin of Suggestibility
- The Sin of Bias
- The Sin of Persistence
There is a final chapter that talks about how the infallibility traits of our memories are probably good and useful characteristics. For example, the lack of details allows us to easily generalize.
The Mageborn Traitor
Author: Melanie Rawn
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)
Date Finished: January 23, 2010
The second book of the Exiles series, it details the lives of Sarra, Collan and Cailet after the rebellion has finished as Sarra works in government, Collan raises their children and Cailet starts a new Academy.
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)
Date Finished: January 23, 2010
The second book of the Exiles series, it details the lives of Sarra, Collan and Cailet after the rebellion has finished as Sarra works in government, Collan raises their children and Cailet starts a new Academy.
Improve Your Memory
Author: Robert Allen
Genre: Non-Fiction (Memory)
Date Finished: January 23, 2010
This was not a very special book. The author discusses some random information on memory, introduces a few techniques in passing, and moves on to memory tests for the remainder of the book. For a much better introduction to memory techniques, try Complete Guide to Memory Mastery by Harry Lorayne, or any of the books by Dominic O'Brien. These people have well documented systems of memory that they have spent years practicing.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Memory)
Date Finished: January 23, 2010
This was not a very special book. The author discusses some random information on memory, introduces a few techniques in passing, and moves on to memory tests for the remainder of the book. For a much better introduction to memory techniques, try Complete Guide to Memory Mastery by Harry Lorayne, or any of the books by Dominic O'Brien. These people have well documented systems of memory that they have spent years practicing.
Terrier
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)
Date Finished: January 23, 2010
The beginning adventures for Beka Cooper. I've read this one before, but I can't find it in my list.
Rebecca is a trainee in the Provost's Guard, the police force for the city of Corus in the land of Tortall. She has just graduated from her year of training and she is assigned as trainee (puppy) for two of the most famed of the Provost's Guard (Dogs) in the Lower City, the slums of Corus. Beka escaped the slums as a child, so she knows the Lower City and it's people. Now that she's back she hears whispers of missing children and mass unmarked graves.
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)
Date Finished: January 23, 2010
The beginning adventures for Beka Cooper. I've read this one before, but I can't find it in my list.
Rebecca is a trainee in the Provost's Guard, the police force for the city of Corus in the land of Tortall. She has just graduated from her year of training and she is assigned as trainee (puppy) for two of the most famed of the Provost's Guard (Dogs) in the Lower City, the slums of Corus. Beka escaped the slums as a child, so she knows the Lower City and it's people. Now that she's back she hears whispers of missing children and mass unmarked graves.
Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship
Author: Robert C. Martin
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: January 18, 2010
I'm afraid I did not find this book so helpful. It covered not so ground-breaking ideas like:
as well as contradictory points like:
If you are interested in being a better programmer, try The Pragmatic Programmer, or The Passionate Programmer (formerly known as My Job Went to India).
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: January 18, 2010
I'm afraid I did not find this book so helpful. It covered not so ground-breaking ideas like:
- name your variables meaningfully
- keep your functions small
- functions should do only one thing
- formatting your code is good
as well as contradictory points like:
- reduce the number of function parameters by using member variables
- don't let your functions produce side affects (make changes to member variables)
If you are interested in being a better programmer, try The Pragmatic Programmer, or The Passionate Programmer (formerly known as My Job Went to India).
Coders at Work
Author: Peter Seibel
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: January 18, 2010
This is a series of interviews with some really famous programmers and pioneers of computer science. There is a separate chapter for each interview. It is really interesting to see how some of these people started programming, how they program (text editors are overwhelmingly favored over IDEs, though many of them feel that IDEs are a good idea) and what they are working on.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: January 18, 2010
This is a series of interviews with some really famous programmers and pioneers of computer science. There is a separate chapter for each interview. It is really interesting to see how some of these people started programming, how they program (text editors are overwhelmingly favored over IDEs, though many of them feel that IDEs are a good idea) and what they are working on.
Bloodhound
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: January 17, 2010
This is a re-read for me. I was actually looking for the first book in the series, Terrier, but it wasn't at the library, so I tried this one again. It was a good read.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: January 17, 2010
This is a re-read for me. I was actually looking for the first book in the series, Terrier, but it wasn't at the library, so I tried this one again. It was a good read.
The pleasures of slow food : celebrating authentic traditions, flavors, and recipes
Author: Corby Kummer
Genre: Non-Fiction (Cooking)
Date Finished: January 17, 2010
This was a pretty interesting book with several different stories about traditional food production in Europe and America.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Cooking)
Date Finished: January 17, 2010
This was a pretty interesting book with several different stories about traditional food production in Europe and America.
The Dogs of Windcutter Down
Author: David Kennard
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: January 17, 2010
A story of the trials of sheep farming in the UK. And Border Collies.
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: January 17, 2010
A story of the trials of sheep farming in the UK. And Border Collies.
Outliers
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Jan 11, 2010
Examines the environmental factors that affect the success of those we so frequently think of as geniuses.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Jan 11, 2010
Examines the environmental factors that affect the success of those we so frequently think of as geniuses.
Brisingr
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Jan 10, 2010
This was a re-read. Beginning with the recovery of Katrina from her imprisonment, following Eragon to the dwarven city, then back to see his teacher again. A sword fitting for a Rider and an incalculable loss.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Jan 10, 2010
This was a re-read. Beginning with the recovery of Katrina from her imprisonment, following Eragon to the dwarven city, then back to see his teacher again. A sword fitting for a Rider and an incalculable loss.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Author: Dan Millman
Genre: Non-Fiction (Self Help)
Date Finished: Jan 8, 2010
In the tradition of Illusions (Richard Bach). An inspiring book.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Self Help)
Date Finished: Jan 8, 2010
In the tradition of Illusions (Richard Bach). An inspiring book.
The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.
Author: Daniel Coyle
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Jan 7, 2010
This book really feels like it was written by a reporter, though the dust jacket doesn't list any reporter credentials.
The premise of the book is that most, nearly all, world class talent is not due to talent at all, but due to huge over whelming amounts of practice.
The initial parts of the book are talking about myelin, a coating that develops over nerve connections to enhance impulse transferance. These parts of the book were interesting to read, but seemed a little weak. No references were sited, just the author's personal supposition about myelin and informal interviews with researchers.
The remainder of the book focuses on stories of skill development, attempting to reinforce two ideas:
1. practice at the edge of your skill level.
2. inspiration is key to correctly motivating practice.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Jan 7, 2010
This book really feels like it was written by a reporter, though the dust jacket doesn't list any reporter credentials.
The premise of the book is that most, nearly all, world class talent is not due to talent at all, but due to huge over whelming amounts of practice.
The initial parts of the book are talking about myelin, a coating that develops over nerve connections to enhance impulse transferance. These parts of the book were interesting to read, but seemed a little weak. No references were sited, just the author's personal supposition about myelin and informal interviews with researchers.
The remainder of the book focuses on stories of skill development, attempting to reinforce two ideas:
1. practice at the edge of your skill level.
2. inspiration is key to correctly motivating practice.
The Lost Symbol
Author: Tom Brown
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: Jan 6, 2010
The further adventures of Robert Langdon, comfortable in his customary tweed jacket. The adventure takes place in Washington DC, when Langdon is lured there under the guise of helping an old friend, only to find his friend has been kidnapped. He is forced to quickly solve an old Masonic mystery in the hopes of finding the lost treasure hidden in DC, hindered by the Masons, pursued by the CIA.
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: Jan 6, 2010
The further adventures of Robert Langdon, comfortable in his customary tweed jacket. The adventure takes place in Washington DC, when Langdon is lured there under the guise of helping an old friend, only to find his friend has been kidnapped. He is forced to quickly solve an old Masonic mystery in the hopes of finding the lost treasure hidden in DC, hindered by the Masons, pursued by the CIA.
Secrets of a Buccaneer-Scholar
Author: James Marcus Bach
Genre: Self Help
Date Finished: Jan 4, 2010
Some thoughts by the author on the process of continuing self education.
Genre: Self Help
Date Finished: Jan 4, 2010
Some thoughts by the author on the process of continuing self education.
Stones into Schools
Author: Greg Mortenson
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Finished: Jan 1, 2010
The sequel to Three Cups of Tea, this book covers the on going efforts of the Central Asia Institute to build schools in Afghanistan.
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Finished: Jan 1, 2010
The sequel to Three Cups of Tea, this book covers the on going efforts of the Central Asia Institute to build schools in Afghanistan.
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