The Art of Memory Kindle Edition
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Description
• This unique and brilliant book is a history of human knowledge. • Before the invention of printing, a trained memory was of vital importance. • Based on a technique of impressing 'places' and 'images' on the mind, the ancient Greeks created an elaborate memory system which in turn was inherited by the Romans and passed into the European tradition, to be revived, in occult form, during the Renaissance. • Frances Yates sheds light on Dante’s Divine Comedy, the form of the Shakespearian theatre and the history of ancient architecture. • The Art of Memory is an invaluable contribution to aesthetics and psychology, and to the history of philosophy, of science and of literature.
Details
General
- Publisher
- Vintage Digital
- Publication date
- October 31, 2011
- Language
- English
- File size
- 4.9 MB
- Print length
- 581 pages
- ISBN-13
- 978-1448104130
Accessibility
- Accessibility
- Learn more
- Screen Reader
- Supported
- Enhanced typesetting
- Enabled
- X-Ray
- Not Enabled
- Word Wise
- Enabled
- Page Flip
- Enabled
Frequently asked questions
- What is this book about?
- It is described as a history of human knowledge and of memory systems, from ancient Greece through the Renaissance.
- What topics does Frances Yates cover in the book?
- She sheds light on Dante’s Divine Comedy, the form of the Shakespearian theatre, and the history of ancient architecture.
- What reading features are listed for this Kindle book?
- Screen Reader is Supported, Enhanced typesetting is Enabled, X-Ray is Not Enabled, Word Wise is Enabled, and Page Flip is Enabled.
Customer reviews
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INCOMPLETE EDITION
This edition is INCOMPLETE. The fascinating schematic diagram of Guilio Camillo's memory theatre, compiled and drawn by Dame Frances Yates' sister, and mentioned by her in the preface, which follows page 144 of the printed edition, is missing. No mention is made of this being an edited or abridged edition. The mangling of texts, particularly poetry, in e-publications must stop. The publisher should correct the edition or label it as abridged, or offer a PDF of the diagram at least. I do not have the heart to give this book less than 5 stars, but the edition deserves censure. Anyone who may lament that this book "devolves" into a discussion of Renaissance occultism should note that the latter was actually Dame Yates' FIELD. Frances Yates was instrumental in opening the field of Renaissance esotericism, which was not a matter of superstitious nonsense, but rather largely a matter of attempting to reintegrate the major works of the Platonic tradition, which had been lost to Europe for a thousand years, into western discourse. Without an awareness of this material, you cannot appreciate huge chunks of Spenser, Shakespeare, Albrecht Durer, Botticelli, the Romantic poets, Emerson, William Butler Yeats, to present a short list.
This edition is INCOMPLETE. The fascinating schematic diagram of Guilio Camillo's memory theatre, compiled and drawn by Dame Frances Yates' sister, and mentioned by her in the preface, which follows page 144 of the printed edition, is missing. No mention is made of this being an edited or abridged edition. The mangling of texts, particularly poetry, in e-publications must stop. The publisher should correct the edition or label it as abridged, or offer a PDF of the diagram at least. I do not have the heart to give this book less than 5 stars, but the edition deserves censure. Anyone who may lament that this book "devolves" into a discussion of Renaissance occultism should note that the latter was actually Dame Yates' FIELD. Frances Yates was instrumental in opening the field of Renaissance esotericism, which was not a matter of superstitious nonsense, but rather largely a matter of attempting to reintegrate the major works of the Platonic tradition, which had been lost to Europe for a thousand years, into western discourse. Without an awareness of this material, you cannot appreciate huge chunks of Spenser, Shakespeare, Albrecht Durer, Botticelli, the Romantic poets, Emerson, William Butler Yeats, to present a short list.
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Fascinating Study of a Lost Art
Well, almost lost. I was taught to memorize legal arguments by placing memory images in the various rooms of my house. I don’t think many lawyers know this technique, but the Ars Memorativa are as effective today as ever, and for more than your next big closing argument. Yates’ classic gives the history of the technique, its connection with Renaissance occultism, with particular emphasis on Elizabethan culture. Today, search engines have made our memory flabby. Perhaps someday the Art of Memory will once again be put to good use. It will seem as magical as it ever was.
Well, almost lost. I was taught to memorize legal arguments by placing memory images in the various rooms of my house. I don’t think many lawyers know this technique, but the Ars Memorativa are as effective today as ever, and for more than your next big closing argument. Yates’ classic gives the history of the technique, its connection with Renaissance occultism, with particular emphasis on Elizabethan culture. Today, search engines have made our memory flabby. Perhaps someday the Art of Memory will once again be put to good use. It will seem as magical as it ever was.
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Scholarly coverage of writings on memory techniques through the ages, focusing on history rather than use.
This is a scholarly review of available writings on memory methods. Don't bother buying just for the memory techniques; while they are somewhat adequately covered, this book is about the writings. I enjoyed the peek into the social uses of memory techniques through the centuries, and how they got entangled with religion and politics.
This is a scholarly review of available writings on memory methods. Don't bother buying just for the memory techniques; while they are somewhat adequately covered, this book is about the writings. I enjoyed the peek into the social uses of memory techniques through the centuries, and how they got entangled with religion and politics.
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Account of Historic Mind
Love the writer the last hundred or so pages are notes which show an obvious pile of work put into creating the book. I wouldn't recommend the book to just anybody: I've bragged about its beauty. This is a book for people to get into whats inside and to amalgamate study. This book is a modern force.
Love the writer the last hundred or so pages are notes which show an obvious pile of work put into creating the book. I wouldn't recommend the book to just anybody: I've bragged about its beauty. This is a book for people to get into whats inside and to amalgamate study. This book is a modern force.
