How can we remember certain events from our childhood as if they happened yesterday and then forget we did last week? Why does our memory seem to work well at some times but not at others? What happens when it goes wrong? Can memory be improved or manipulated by psychological techniques, or even 'brain implants'? How does memory grow and change as we age? And what of so-called 'recovered' memories?This Very Short Introduction brings together the latest research in neuroscience and psychology to address these important questions around the science of memory. It weaves case studies, anecdotes, and even literature and philosophy into its explanations of how memory works and why we can't live without it. This edition includes major updates that take into account recent developments in our understanding of memory, especially in areas such as sleep and healthy aging.