Small (The Memory Bible
; The Memory Prescription
), chief of the UCLA Memory and Aging Research Center, offers eight essentials (positive outlook, mental and physical exercise, acceptance of change, are three) in this manual for a better, longer life. He takes a holistic approach to body and brain fitness, covering everything from meditation to diet and skillful makeup application. While his "essentials" likely won't be anything new to reasonably self-aware readers, the author does provide thought-provoking questionnaires, helpful step-by-step approaches to achieving various goals and detailed anecdotes about patients who have benefited from UCLA's programs. Information gleaned from UCLA's research lends credibility, and a section called Putting It All Together makes self-improvement efforts manageable, not overwhelming. The chapters that focus on memory are the most detailed; they include helpful tricks and challenging games that will surely inspire an increase in sales of crossword-puzzle books. Perhaps in recognition of the book's ambitiousness, a nine-page list of additional resources will prove handy for those who wish to further investigate some of the topics touched upon in the book. (June)
