Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting

A captivating study of the features of human memory conducted by a Harvard neurobiologist and author of the bestseller “Still Alice.” From this book—whose translation rights have been acquired in 9 countries—you’ll learn how memory is formed, what happens to forgotten memories (are they temporarily inaccessible or erased forever?), and why some types of information are stored for only a few seconds while others last a lifetime. You’ll understand the difference between normal forgetfulness and forgetfulness caused by Alzheimer’s disease, and you’ll learn how strongly memory is influenced by meaning, emotions, sleep, and context. By understanding the principles of memory, its natural shortcomings, and its potential “superpower,” you’ll be able to significantly improve your ability to remember—and worry less when you forget something.

“What are our real relationships with memory? How should we relate to it? Try to grasp the depth of the paradox: memory is everything and nothing. It should be taken seriously, but you should treat it lightly. We can form reasonable expectations and improve our relationship with our memory. We no longer need to be afraid of it. And that can change our lives.” (Lisa Genova)