Why We Remember: The Science of Memory and How it Shape

Description

‘Radically new and engaging.’ MATTHEW WALKER
‘Not only will every reader remember better afterward, they’ll also never forget this life-changing book.’ SIDDHARTHA MUKHERJEE
‘Ranganath turns much of what we think we know about memory on its head.’ DANIEL J. LEVITIN

Forgotten a name? Where you left your keys? What you were just about to say? Welcome this radical reexamination of memory by pioneering neuroscientist and internationally-renowned memory researcher, Charan Ranganath.

We talk about memory as a record of the past, but here’s a surprising twist: we aren’t supposed to
remember everything. In fact, we’re designed to forget. Over the course of twenty-five years, Charan
Ranganath has studied the flawed, incomplete and purposefully inaccurate nature of memory to find
that our brains haven’t evolved to keep a comprehensive record of events, but to extract the
information needed to guide our futures.

Using fascinating case studies and testimonies, Why We Remember unveils the principles behind what
and why we forget and shines new light on the silent, pervasive influence of memory on how we
learn, heal and make decisions. By examining the role that attention, intention, imagination and
emotion play in the storing of memories, it provides a vital user’s guide to remembering what we hold
most dear.