What is memory? It is at the same time ephemeral, unreliable and essential to everything we do. Without memory we lose our sense of identity, reasoning, even our ability to perform simple physical tasks. Yet it is also elusive and difficult to define, and throughout the ages philosophers and psychologists have used metaphors as a way of understanding it. First published in 2000, this fascinating book takes the reader on a guided tour of these metaphors of memory from ancient times to the present day. Crossing continents and disciplines, it provides a compelling history of ideas about the mind by exploring the way these metaphors have been used - metaphors often derived from the techniques and instruments developed over the years to store information, ranging from wax tablets and books to photography, computers and even the hologram. Accessible and thought-provoking, this book should be read by anyone who is interested in memory and the mind.

First published in 2000, this book explores the metaphors used by philosophers and psychologists to understand memory over the centuries.
Reviews
'A fascinating survey of ideas on memory across the centuries, showing that suggestive metaphors have been essential stepping stones in our understanding of the mind. Highly recommended!' Jean Aitchison, University of Oxford
'A superb history ... richly thought-provoking.' Stephen Rose, The Times Higher Education Supplement
'An intellectually sophisticated book, rich in insight and detail.' The Economist
'Metaphors of Memory is fascinating, informative, accessible, and highly recommended to students of psychology and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the nature of memory and its relationship to the human mind.' Amazon.com



Book Information
ISBN 9780521650243
Author Douwe Draaisma
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 660g
Dimensions(mm) 254mm * 178mm * 16mm