The book starts by talking about how important it is to have a good memory. I thought this was a bit over the top, but I get it. The first few chapters talk about the mental and emotional parts of memory, like how important it is to stay focused, interested, and calm. These are good points, but they're not new ideas in the field, and the way they're presented makes them feel a little repetitive. The author stresses the importance of mental imagery and visualization throughout the book. These are two of the most important parts of most memory improvement methods.
One of the best things about the book is that it focuses on mind maps, which aren't always the main focus of memory books. But this still feels like a well-trodden path, since mind maps have been a part of study skills guides for a long time. The part of the book that made me the most angry was the one about remembering names. The tips were just like what I've read in other guides: pay attention, make a picture, and link the name to someone you know. The author's suggestion to picture someone giving you a million dollars to remember their name seemed a little silly and out of place.
In the end, this book is a good place to start for someone who has never read a memory book before. It goes over the basics and gives some helpful advice. "Memory: Simple, Easy, and Fun Ways to Improve Memory" by John Parker doesn't add anything new or interesting to the conversation for people who have already looked into the subject. This guide is competent but not very interesting. It repeats information that is already available in better, more complete books.