For Seller

By: Peggie Fink

Thank You, Brain, For All You Remember: What You Forgot Was My Fault.
W. R. (Bill) Klemm, DVM, PhD.
Benecton Press (2004)
ISBN 0975522507
Reviewed by Peggie Fink for Reader Views (5/06)

This academic book is devoted to the subject of human memory - how it works, why it works, how it works best, what causes it to fail or not work efficiently, and how the reader can improve using memory to enhance his/her life. I use the word "academic" deliberately in describing this book, because in many ways it is structured like a text book. Not surprising, since the author is a professor at Texas A&M University and some of his published books include "Animal Electroencephalography" "Science, The Brain and Our Future", "Brainstem Mechanisms of Behavior" (co-edited), among others.

Each chapter in this scholarly, readable book addresses an issue concerning memory and the human brain processes involved, and the scientific research for this issue. Each chapter ends with a listing of the key ideas, and the sources used (bibliography) for the chapter. In one of the early chapters on paying attention, the author points out that as a university professor during a lecture or even classroom discussion, "many students cannot sustain attention for more than a few minutes"¦…. they are waiting for the commercial break." And, it was good to read what the school systems have been saying for generations: "we (the schools) are raising a generation of attention deficits. Television is training their minds NOT to pay attention and focus."

It is a well-written, superbly documented, thoughtful book, best digested slowly in small pieces. As with any textbook, it takes time to understand the concepts and then put them to use. For the younger generation, the parallels between obesity/diabetes and lower memory scores illustrate the devastating health problems that are yet to occur. Of particular interest to seniors may be the chapters that address aging, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.

I would recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in the subject of memory and how it works (or does not work). It’s not light-weight reading and it’s not an "easy" read, but it is very thorough.

Peggie Fink is a Reviewer for Reader Views.
http://www.readerviews.com