Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

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Penguin Books, 2012 - Biography & Autobiography - 307 pages

'Be prepared to be amazed' Guardian

Can anyone get a perfect memory?

Joshua Foer used to be like most of us, forgetting phone numbers and mislaying keys. Then he learnt the art of memory training, and a year later found himself in the finals of the US Memory Championship. He also discovered a truth we often forget: that, even in an age of technology, memory is the key to everything we are.

In Moonwalking with Einstein he takes us on an astonishing journey through the mind, from ancient 'memory palace' techniques to neuroscience, from the man who can recall nine thousand books to another who constantly forgets who he is. In doing so, Foer shows how we can all improve our memories.

'Captivating ... engaging ... smart and funny' The New York Times

'Delightful ... uplifting ... it shows that our minds can do extraordinary things' Wall Street Journal

'Great fun ... a book worth remembering' Independent

'A lovely exploration of the ways that we preserve our lives and our world in the golden amber of human memory' New Scientist

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About the author (2012)

Joshua Foer studied evolutionary biology at Yale University and is now a freelance science journalist, writing for National Geographic and The New York Times among others. Researching an article on the US Memory Championships, Foer became intrigued by the potential of his own memory. After just one year of training, he won the following year's Championship.

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