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Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters Hardcover – February 20, 2024

by Charan Ranganath PhD (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 479 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books of the Year 2024
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER • Memory is far more than a record of the past. In this groundbreaking tour of the mind and brain, one of the world’s top memory researchers reveals the powerful role memory plays in nearly every aspect of our lives, from recalling faces and names, to learning, decision-making, trauma and healing.

A BEST SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR: Financial Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Telegraph, Waterstones,
The Times, Marie Claire, Greater Good Magazine, Bookshop.org

"Why We Remember offers a radically new and engaging explanation of how and why we remember." —Dr. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep

"Prominent neuroscientist and Guggenheim Fellow Charan Ranganath guides us through the science of our memories with incredible insight and clear science. He combines fascinating tales of the peculiarities of memory with practical, actionable steps. Not only will every reader remember better afterward, they’ll also never forget this life-changing book.” —Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of Maladies and Gene

A new understanding of memory is emerging from the latest scientific research. In Why We Remember, pioneering neuroscientist and psychologist Charan Ranganath radically reframes the way we think about the everyday act of remembering. Combining accessible language with cutting-edge research, he reveals the surprising ways our brains record the past and how we use that information to understand who we are in the present, and to imagine and plan for the future.

Memory, Dr. Ranganath shows, is a highly transformative force that shapes how we experience the world in often invisible and sometimes destructive ways. Knowing this can help us with daily remembering tasks, like finding our keys, and with the challenge of memory loss as we age. What’s more, when we work with the brain’s ability to learn and reinterpret past events, we can heal trauma, shed our biases, learn faster, and grow in self-awareness.

Including fascinating studies and examples from pop culture, and drawing on Ranganath’s life as a scientist, father, and child of immigrants, Why We Remember is a captivating read that unveils the hidden role memory plays throughout our lives. When we understand its power-- and its quirks--we can cut through the clutter and remember the things we want to remember. We can make freer choices and plan a happier future.
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Doubleday
  4. Publication date
    February 20, 2024
  5. Dimensions
    6.39 x 1.08 x 9.57 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    038554863X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0385548632
  8. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. “There is no such thing as multitasking; you just end up alternating between doing different tasks badly.”
    Highlighted by 550 Kindle readers
  2. Memory is much, much more than an archive of the past; it is the prism through which we see ourselves, others, and the world. It’s the connective tissue underlying what we say, think, and do.
    Highlighted by 512 Kindle readers
  3. Although we tend to believe that we can and should remember anything we want, the reality is we are designed to forget, which is one of the most important lessons to be taken from the science of memory.
    Highlighted by 441 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

A Best Science Book of the Year: Finanacial Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Telegraph, Waterstones, The Times, Marie Claire, Greater Good Magazine, Bookshop.org

“This is popular science at its best: entertaining, thought-provoking and an encouragement to the reader to keep an open mind."
—The Financial Times

"Illuminating"
—The New York Times

"Clever, insightful and humorous...The most significant lesson is that we need not be prisoners to our incompletely remembered past."
—The Wall Street Journal

"It has never been easier to fact-check our memories against an external record and find ourselves lacking, but Ranganath is intent on giving us a new way of understanding memory."
—The New Yorker

"[Ranganath's] descriptions of complex studies are entertaining and clarifying, and he vividly paints the intellectual history of the science of memory...He’s a generous, humble narrator...What’s most compelling about Why We Remember is that it offers a scientifically robust rationale to accept with grace that, no matter what happens in this new world, we will not remember everything we want. Memory research makes clear that there is no use in fighting the tide of forgetting that leaves some memories ashore even as it sweeps away — mercifully, at times — the rest."
—The Washington Post

"Ranganath is an astute and affable tour guide"—Undark Magazine

"A riveting overview of how memory works...Ranganath has a knack for describing neuroanatomy in accessible terms, and the science consistently surprises...Approachable and enlightening, this is worth seeking out."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"In this magnum opus, leading memory researcher Charan Ranganath turns much of what we think we know about memory on its head, revealing through hard evidence that the primary mission of our brain’s memory system is, in many respects, to forget things, in order to prepare us for a changing and uncertain future. Ranganath is a master explainer and storyteller."
—Daniel J. Levitin, author of Successful Aging and This Is Your Brain on Music

"Prominent neuroscientist and Guggenheim Fellow Charan Ranganath guides us through the science of our memories with incredible insight and clear science. He combines fascinating tales of the peculiarities of memory with practical, actionable steps. Not only will every reader remember better afterward, they'll also never forget this life-changing book."
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of Maladies and Gene

​"Why We Remember offers a radically new and engaging explanation of how and why we remember. More than just a record of our past, Dr. Ranganath shows us that memories are deeply involved in the present, and a path toward an anticipated future. It is a tour de force of both individual and collective importance.”
—Dr. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep

"Why We Remember is terrific. Ranganath balances original first-class science with lighter, more personal writing. This will be a mind-changing read for anyone who wants to better understand and use their own brain."
—Robert Sapolsky, author of Behave

"Why We Remember is going to transform readers' understanding of memory. It’s hard to think of a topic more timely and important to communicate to the world, or a scientist who is better positioned to do so than Charan Ranganath."
—Ethan Kross, author of Chatter

"This book captures a transcendent truth about our lives. Memories serve to guide our future, our engagement of the world. They are not rigid, static pictures of our past. Ranganath has delivered a compelling picture of how basic science can help us all understand the human experience. It is a major accomplishment."
—Mike Gazzaniga, author of The Consciousness Instinct

"This book shows us how understanding the brain can help us change minds for the better. By giving us a clear map of memory, we are better able to take charge of our lives, learn from the mistakes of the past, make better decisions in the present, and positively predict our futures."
—Tali Sharot, author of The Optimism Bias and The Influential Mind

"Dr. Ranganath is the perfect messenger to fight the lack of knowledge in the society about our dearest organ – the brain and its role in memory. Why We Remember is an exciting and important book project, that will help us heal and be better, both individually and as a society."
—May-Britt Moser, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2014

"Charan Ranganath offers answers to universal questions: how do we stop worrying about the future, let go of the past, and live in the present? Through fascinating science, deeply compelling personal stories, and with a strong voice, Why We Remember delivers on all it promises.."
—Dr. Amishi Jha, author of Peak Mind

"There is no one on earth who could share the recent achievements in the study of human memory better than Charan Ranganath. With a passion for communication and sharing of knowledge, and the ability to take a broad perspective, he is the ideal person to write this book."
—Edvard Moser, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2014

"Charan Ranganath uses his cutting edge science to explain how our present shapes our past, and how the stories we tell ourselves ultimately impact our futures. Why We Remember is the key to moving beyond our inner narratives, and into a life of purposeful decision making and joy. An absolute must-read!"
—Dr. Lisa Miller, author of The Spiritual Child

"Why We Remember is a complete, much needed, appealing, poetic, and practical view of the field of memory—and there is no one better positioned than Ranganath to guide readers on a tour of this inner landscape."
—David Eagleman, author of Incognito

About the Author

CHARAN RANGANATH is a Professor at the Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychology and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. For over 25 years, Dr. Ranganath has studied the mechanisms in the brain that allow us to remember past events, using brain imaging techniques, computational modeling and studies of patients with memory disorders. He has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship. He lives in Davis, California. Outside of neuroscience, Dr. Ranganath is also a songwriter and guitarist with a number of recording credits, including a song on a feature film soundtrack.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Doubleday (February 20, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 038554863X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385548632
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.39 x 1.08 x 9.57 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 479 ratings

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Charan Ranganath

Charan Ranganath

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CHARAN RANGANATH is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. For over 25 years, Dr. Ranganath has studied the mechanisms in the brain that allow us to remember past events, using brain imaging techniques, computational modeling and studies of patients with memory disorders. He has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship. He lives in Davis, California. Outside of neuroscience, Dr. Ranganath is also a songwriter and guitarist with a number of recording credits, including a song on a feature film soundtrack.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
479 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book provides a scientific understanding of human memory. They appreciate the content on episodic and semantic memory, as well as different ways memories are formed. Readers describe it as an engaging read with great takeaways. The writing style is described as clear and easy to understand, with a generous writing style.

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Memory insightReadabilityWriting style
20 customers mention "Memory insight"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding memory. They appreciate the scientific underpinnings of human memory, biology, and psychology for a deeper understanding of how memory works, how it evolved, and why it works. The content on episodic vs. semantic memory, different types of memories, and how memories are formed is particularly appreciated. Readers find the examples engaging and thought-provoking, with mindfulness full of what matters. Overall, they find the book useful for understanding their brain and cognitive psychology experiments.

"I especially enjoyed the section about memory manipulation ...." Read more

"...an excellent, highly graspable summary of not only his own intriguing research on memory but seemingly of the entire field of memory science...." Read more

"Fascinating ideas. Well researched and organized. Half way through Get back when I finish for full review." Read more

"...The book's final part reviews cognitive psychology experiments (the author is a psychologist), suggesting ideas for improving memory...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and with valuable insights. They appreciate the research details, but some readers feel there is too much detail on the research.

"...I found these childish. This may be a good book for a high school neuroscience class...." Read more

"Lots of great takeaways, sometimes a bit too much detail on research and wanted just the punchlines...." Read more

"...A great read for anyone wanting a better grasp on how memory making works, shapes us and for anyone wanting to use this information to become a more..." Read more

"This was a great book. I learned a great deal about how memory works on an individual basis and within groups...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing style clear and easy to read. They appreciate the author's explanation of complex neuroscience in a straightforward way. The information is presented in an accessible manner.

"...I have had a memory disorder most of my life, and this makes everything so clear. Highly recommend if the subject matter is of any interest at all." Read more

"Ranganath has written an excellent, highly graspable summary of not only his own intriguing research on memory but seemingly of the entire field of..." Read more

"...Explains a number of things I had been wondering about. Well written and easy for a layperson to read." Read more

"...Why We Remember" is magnificent. Ranganath is a clear and generous writer, explaining complex, sharpest-edge neuroscience in clear, muscular prose...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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  • Mateo Buriticá
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinante libro sobre la memoria
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Un libro muy interesante que nos explica los tipos de memorias que tenemos y como el cerebro trabaja para recordar.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mimi F
    4.0 out of 5 stars fascinating read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I especially enjoyed the section about memory manipulation . I realized that the opinion you have of others should be based on an interaction with the person and their behavior towards you directly. “Don’t believe what you hear about me but rather what you know about me.” Failure to do this will alienate others from that person. You can never assume that you know the intentions of that person or twist them to fit your agenda. You have to assume that the person you interact with are doing the best they can. Memories are very susceptible to inaccurate assumptions. This book made reconsider my judgment of others, I may not understand the real them because of my own false memory. The only complaint I have of the book is that it was a little politically biased. Memory is irrelevant to this book.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Jodi Sh Doff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Making scientific information accessible to everyone
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I've always been interested in memory and how it works. Ranganath reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell, Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson in that he makes the complicated accessible without leaving the reader feeling as if they're being talked down to. I'm reading slowly, underlining so much. I have had a memory disorder most of my life, and this makes everything so clear. Highly recommend if the subject matter is of any interest at all.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Dow
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Ranganath has written an excellent, highly graspable summary of not only his own intriguing research on memory but seemingly of the entire field of memory science. It feels like an update of Daniel Schechter’s popular book on memory from decades ago.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Doctor Dad
    3.0 out of 5 stars This is not a very informative book or particularly interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I expected much more information and insight. This was more of a rather simplistic summary of much that one might get from an advanced intro to psychology course. The more detailed focus was on a few specific aspects of the authors memory research but the broad sweep of the issue was not particularly well covered.
    One person found this helpful
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  • charles cooper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating ideas. Well researched and organized. Half way through Get back when I finish for full review.
    Helpful
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  • A M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Psychologists and neuroscientists still don’t know why or how we remember
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The book was supposed to explain why (or how) we remember, but as the author admits at the end of the book, he doesn’t have a good answer to this question. The book reviews research projects that correlated various phenomena related to memory with various places in the brain (the author is a brain scientist). The book's final part reviews cognitive psychology experiments (the author is a psychologist), suggesting ideas for improving memory. Most of these research projects are already well-known beyond the professional literature.

    Psychologists and neuroscientists still don’t know why or how we remember
    14 people found this helpful
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  • rf-sprinter
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Learned a lot from this book. Explains a number of things I had been wondering about. Well written and easy for a layperson to read.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Varghese Parakudiyil
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
    Reviewed in Italy on February 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I would say simply, WOW!
    Report
  • Laura Hickin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and very readable.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Despite being a complex and specialist subject, this is very accessible to the layman and one can easily relate the contents to one's own life and experiences. It is scrupulously researched, but also entertaining to read, with many anecdotal references.
    Report
  • Saurya R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read kind of book
    Reviewed in India on January 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book. Engaging, Well researched and elegant language. A must read for anyone interested in reading robust science book. Learnings from the book is immense. A kind of book, I can revisit again and again to solidify my learnings.
    Report
  • JP
    4.0 out of 5 stars Muito interessante
    Reviewed in Spain on October 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Muito interessante e informativo.
    Report
  • David M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating survey of current research on memory
    Reviewed in Germany on May 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Using FNMRI and other techniques neurologists and psychologists are slowly getting to understand more about how the brain likely works and the mechanism of memory is crucial because, in effect, we are no more than our memories. This book is relevant, well-written and believable. Certainly worth reading by anyone with an interest in the topic.
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