Memory  (English, Paperback, Foster Jonathan K.)

Memories are an integral part of being human. They haunt us, we cherish them, and in our lives we collect more of them with each new experience. Without memory, you would not be able to maintain a relationship, drive your car, talk to your children, read a poem, watch television, or do much of anything at all. Memory: A Very Short Introduction  explores the fascinating intricacies of human memory. Is it one thing or many? Why does it seem to work well sometimes and not others? What happens when it "goes wrong"? Can it be improved or manipulated through techniques such as mnemonic rhymes or "brain implants"? How does memory change as we age? And what about so-called recovered memories--can they be relied upon as a record of what actually happened in our personal past? This book brings together our most recent knowledge to address (in a scientifically rigorous but highly accessible way) these and many other important questions about how memory works, and why we can't live without it.

Salient Features

• Shows why memories are an integral part of being human, and why they underpin our sense of who we are
• Explains the science of how the brain stores and accesses memories, and the questions surrounding memory and consciousness
• Incorporates vital recent developments in the field of neuroscience--including neuroimaging which allows us to see memories at work
• Looks at what can go wrong with memories--recovered memories, déjà vu, brain injury, and dementia
• Contains many tips for those who wish to know whether they can boost their memory power
• Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series--over two million copies sold