Why We Remember

Why We Remember (2024) is an exploration of the fascinating mechanisms that underlie human memory. Challenging conventional perceptions, it presents memory as a dynamic force that not only records the past, but influences our present and future. Through engaging case studies and current scientific research, it reveals the processes that shape our ability to form lasting memories, and the factors that influence forgetting. Ultimately, it shows us how we can harness our memory for learning, healing, and growth.

• Anyone fascinated by the inner workings of the human brain
• Individuals experiencing memory loss, and their caregivers
• Students of psychology and neuroscience

Charan Ranganath is a neuroscientist and professor at the University of California at Davis, where he directs the Memory and Plasticity Program. He is also the director of the Dynamic Memory Lab, where he uses brain imaging technologies to explore episodic memory and its mechanisms, and understand memory dysfunction in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Ranganath has received the Guggenheim Fellowship and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship for his contributions to neuroscience and psychology.