Non-fiction/eBook
Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory
Vijay K. Sharma, Ph.D., DPC, MCP
Nuj Environ Laboratory
ISBN: 978-09833865-0-6
Pages: 197
Memory is one of the essential components of intelligence. Poor memories result in failure to retain information that is necessary for success in academia as well as career pursuits. Dr. Vijay K. Sharma provides direction and a multitude of exercises for people who struggle with poor memories in his book Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory. The author asserts that by practicing the exercises in his book, within six months a person can be trained to increase memory which will lead to the ultimate purpose of this piece: “…to improve earning capacity by sharpening the tool of memory..(8).”
Before delving into the techniques for improving memory that he has developed, Sharma describes the different types of memory: immediate memory, short term memory and long term memory. The author breaks the types of memory into even more specific categories based on the senses: visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile. In doing so, Sharma helps the reader understand that memory is holistic and thus our entire bodies can contribute to the act of recalling information. Each of the twenty memory exercises has a distinct title (ex: “Whole over Sure Technique” or the “HALL System”). The author goes into great detail explaining what the reader will learn from each technique and how to practice them. According to Sharma the “Glean and Glance Technique” involves “…glancing and gleaning at the printed words without any conscious effort to remember it, but at the same time without any denial of the information in case it ends up being remembered (91).”
Sharma has 45 publishing credits from contributions to peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, as well as presentations in several areas of research including anaerobic microbiology, molecular and cell biology. Even with his extensive academic background, Sharma does not present the information in this book in a stiff or sterile manner. His writing style is conversational and he encourages readers to be kind to themselves during the process of learning the memory exercises. He also writes at length about how having a positive attitude and having an interest in the material you are memorizing can make the act less difficult. Continuing in the holistic vein, Sharma writes about the importance of self-care in terms of rest, relaxation and meditation.
Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory is an enlightening and innovative book that will interest those who desire to increase their ability to remember information and to use the knowledge gained for improving their lives.
Melissa Brown Levine
for Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
Review by Demitri Pevzner who has reviewed, in his own words, over 200-250 books:
Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory
Vijay K Sharma, PhD
It can be said that the power of one's mind is directly proportional to the power of one's wallet. As such, it is usually in our best interest to sharpen our minds to the best of our ability. With the help of his book, Dr. Vijay Sharma puts the tool to aid us with this goal directly into our hands. As a respected scientist and dedicated researcher, Dr. Sharma has put a lot of time and effort into compiling a list of the more successful techniques to help the average reader improve his or her memory.
In the book, Dr. Sharma clearly groups and identifies the various types of memory (there are several,) and the various sensory stimuli that help us absorb information. He then describes the numerous methods of memorization, the factors involved in forming these memories, and the ins-and-outs of each distinct method. There is quite a bit of information to absorb, but it will give you a clear notion of how your memory functions, the description of each subsequent process and element, and how best to improve it.
One of my personal favorite sections to which I am sure many students can relate is how to study material one has absolutely no interest in (a topic that may aid many grade school, high school, and college students.) The steps and mental work involved have helped me work through hours of redundant terminology and numeric's.
More helpful advice comes in the form of reducing time lag, which is basically stalling due to unconscious fear of failure, exercises using visualization to sharpen focus (the SAMI techniques,) and breaking information down into segments easier for the mind to retain.
Whatever your field, be it finances, medicine, scientific research, or as in my case IT, Dr. Sharma's memorization tools will help you get ahead.
Author’s Note to the Review: This is an excellent review. However, the techniques or systems described in are almost all authors' original contributions to sharpening memory, including adaptation or some modification of earlier known technique, such as, Locus Technique.
Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory
Vijay K. Sharma, Ph.D., DPC, MCP
Nuj Environ Laboratory
ISBN: 978-09833865-0-6
Pages: 197
Memory is one of the essential components of intelligence. Poor memories result in failure to retain information that is necessary for success in academia as well as career pursuits. Dr. Vijay K. Sharma provides direction and a multitude of exercises for people who struggle with poor memories in his book Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory. The author asserts that by practicing the exercises in his book, within six months a person can be trained to increase memory which will lead to the ultimate purpose of this piece: “…to improve earning capacity by sharpening the tool of memory..(8).”
Before delving into the techniques for improving memory that he has developed, Sharma describes the different types of memory: immediate memory, short term memory and long term memory. The author breaks the types of memory into even more specific categories based on the senses: visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile. In doing so, Sharma helps the reader understand that memory is holistic and thus our entire bodies can contribute to the act of recalling information. Each of the twenty memory exercises has a distinct title (ex: “Whole over Sure Technique” or the “HALL System”). The author goes into great detail explaining what the reader will learn from each technique and how to practice them. According to Sharma the “Glean and Glance Technique” involves “…glancing and gleaning at the printed words without any conscious effort to remember it, but at the same time without any denial of the information in case it ends up being remembered (91).”
Sharma has 45 publishing credits from contributions to peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, as well as presentations in several areas of research including anaerobic microbiology, molecular and cell biology. Even with his extensive academic background, Sharma does not present the information in this book in a stiff or sterile manner. His writing style is conversational and he encourages readers to be kind to themselves during the process of learning the memory exercises. He also writes at length about how having a positive attitude and having an interest in the material you are memorizing can make the act less difficult. Continuing in the holistic vein, Sharma writes about the importance of self-care in terms of rest, relaxation and meditation.
Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory is an enlightening and innovative book that will interest those who desire to increase their ability to remember information and to use the knowledge gained for improving their lives.
Melissa Brown Levine
for Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
Review by Demitri Pevzner who has reviewed, in his own words, over 200-250 books:
Simple and Not So Simple Proven Ways to Sharpen Memory
Vijay K Sharma, PhD
It can be said that the power of one's mind is directly proportional to the power of one's wallet. As such, it is usually in our best interest to sharpen our minds to the best of our ability. With the help of his book, Dr. Vijay Sharma puts the tool to aid us with this goal directly into our hands. As a respected scientist and dedicated researcher, Dr. Sharma has put a lot of time and effort into compiling a list of the more successful techniques to help the average reader improve his or her memory.
In the book, Dr. Sharma clearly groups and identifies the various types of memory (there are several,) and the various sensory stimuli that help us absorb information. He then describes the numerous methods of memorization, the factors involved in forming these memories, and the ins-and-outs of each distinct method. There is quite a bit of information to absorb, but it will give you a clear notion of how your memory functions, the description of each subsequent process and element, and how best to improve it.
One of my personal favorite sections to which I am sure many students can relate is how to study material one has absolutely no interest in (a topic that may aid many grade school, high school, and college students.) The steps and mental work involved have helped me work through hours of redundant terminology and numeric's.
More helpful advice comes in the form of reducing time lag, which is basically stalling due to unconscious fear of failure, exercises using visualization to sharpen focus (the SAMI techniques,) and breaking information down into segments easier for the mind to retain.
Whatever your field, be it finances, medicine, scientific research, or as in my case IT, Dr. Sharma's memorization tools will help you get ahead.
Author’s Note to the Review: This is an excellent review. However, the techniques or systems described in are almost all authors' original contributions to sharpening memory, including adaptation or some modification of earlier known technique, such as, Locus Technique.