Why We Remember

Unlocking memory’s power to hold on to what matters

“In this magnum opus, Charan Ranganath, a master explainer and storyteller, 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.” —DANIEL J. LEVITIN, author of Successful Aging and This Is YourBrain on Music. “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 All Maladies and The Gene. “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. Why We Remember is a tour de force of both individual and collective importance.” —DR. MATTHEW WALKER, author of Why We Sleep.