Includes bibliographical references and index.

"One of us (Elizabeth) had the opportunity to conduct research with a gentleman named Henry Molaison (better known by his initials, H.M.1), who had the interior portion of his left and right temporal lobes (the part of your brain next to your temples) removed in 1953 because of epileptic seizures that were difficult to control. From a technical standpoint, the surgical procedures went fine. But, as he recovered, the doctors and researchers soon noticed something very troubling: he was unable to form any new memories. He could read, and talk, and if you were having a brief conversation with him, you would probably not notice anything amiss. But family members would visit and, although he knew who they were, he would have no memory of them coming. New doctors would introduce themselves and the next day (or even the next hour) he did not recall that he had met them. It was then that the doctors understood that, somehow, the removal of those parts of the temporal lobe caused him to become completely amnestic"-- Provided by publisher.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on March 07, 2023).

Foreword / by Daniel L. Schacter -- Preface -- Part 1: All the ways to remember. Memory is not one thing -- Procedural memory: muscle memory -- Working memory: keep it in mind -- Episodic memory: travel back in time -- Semantic memory: what you know -- Collective memory: what we remember together -- Part 2: Making memories. Do you need to try to remember? -- Get it into your memory -- and keep it there -- Retrieve that memory -- Associate information -- Control what you forget and remember -- Are you sure that's not a false memory? -- Part 3: When there is too little memory -- or too much. Just normal aging -- or is it Alzheimer's disease? -- What else can go wrong with your memory? -- Post-traumatic stress disorder: when you can't forget -- Those who remember everything -- Part 4: Do the right things. Exercise: the elixir of life -- Nutrition: you are what you eat -- This is your brain on alcohol, cannabis, and drugs -- Sleep well -- Activity, attitude, music, mindfulness, and brain training -- Part 5: Techniques to remember better. Memory aids -- Basic strategies -- Remember names -- Advanced strategies and mnemonics -- Afterword -- Tips to remember better -- Appendix: medications that can impair memory.

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