Questions About Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

by Joshua Foer (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Moonwalking with Einstein, please sign up.

Answered Questions (4)

Everyone read Einstein biography knows that he was not very good at memorising things. I have not read this book yet but I find the Tittle strange. my question is why Einstein?

Matthew Hayes One of the memory techniques discussed in the book is to associate the item to be remembered with a person and action. The more distinctive the person…moreOne of the memory techniques discussed in the book is to associate the item to be remembered with a person and action. The more distinctive the person and action, the easier it will be to remember. While memorizing a deck of cards, the author imagined himself moonwalking with Einstein to remember a pair of cards.(less)

flag

I'm a student in grade 10, and I don't know much. So is this the best book to getting to know Einstein from head to toe?

Lex Toumbourou Hi Patricia,

Despite it's title, this book has absolutely nothing to do with Einstein. It's a book about human memory. I'd definitely look elsewhere fo…moreHi Patricia,

Despite it's title, this book has absolutely nothing to do with Einstein. It's a book about human memory. I'd definitely look elsewhere for a biography of the white-haired one.(less)

flag

Does this book contain specific and actionable advice as to remember things better?

Mike Wenzel It explains some of the resources and techniques that Foer used to train but it is far from a how to guide. If you are looking for a quick how to guid…moreIt explains some of the resources and techniques that Foer used to train but it is far from a how to guide. If you are looking for a quick how to guide this would not be it.(less)

flag

I loaned out my book, and I was just wondering if anyone remembers or can find a quote. It was something along the lines of (paraphrasing) "I don't remember what I read except how it changes my view of the world". Thanks!

Erik B.K.K. I think you mean this quote by Michel de Montaigne:

“I leaf through books, I do not study them. What I retain of them is something I no longer recogni…moreI think you mean this quote by Michel de Montaigne:

“I leaf through books, I do not study them. What I retain of them is something I no longer recognize as anyone else’s.
It is only the material from which my judgment has profited, and the thoughts and ideas with which it has become imbued;
the author, the place, the words, and other circumstances, I immediately forget.”

It's in chapter 7, around page 170.(less)

flag

Unanswered Questions (3)

I read Moonwalking with Einstein and really loved it.... I want to try the whole memory palace thing and become good at it. So now what? Foer didn't give any recommendations for 'Next Steps' at the end of the book. Anyone have any suggestions?

Answer

Flag

Joshua wrote this?

Answer

Flag

There was a section in the book about Gordon Bell, the engineer at Microsoft who completely relies on external memory by constantly carrying around a camera on his neck (SenseCam). Made me wonder about two things: 1. How legal is it to be recording each & every thing and person? Does he do that for all office meetings too? 2. Doesn't Bell wonder that people knowing they're on camera would alter their behaviour?

Answer

Flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more