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Can't Remember What I Forgot: The Good News from the Frontlines of Memory Research Audiobook
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(3.06) - 89 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When Sue Halpern decided to emulate the first modern scientist of memory, Hermann Ebbinghaus, who experimented on himself, she had no idea that after a day of radioactive testing, her brain would become so "hot" that leaving through the front door of the lab would trigger the alarm. This was not the first time that Halpern had her head examined while researching Can't Remember What I Forgot, nor would it be the last. Halpern spent years in the company of the neuroscientists, pharmacologists, psychologists, nutritionists, and inventors who are hunting for the genes and molecules, the drugs and foods, the machines, the prosthetics, the behaviors, and the therapies that will stave off Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and keep our minds—and memories—intact. Like many of us who have had a relative or friend succumb to memory loss, who are getting older, who are hearing statistics about our own chances of falling victim to dementia, or who worry that each lapse of memory portends disease, Halpern wanted to find out what the experts really knew; what the bench scientists were working on; how close science is to a cure, to treatment, and to accurate early diagnosis; and, of course, whether the crossword puzzles, sudokus, and ballroom dancing we've been told to take up can really keep us lucid or if they're just something to do before the inevitable overtakes us. Beautifully written, sharply observed, and deeply informed, Can't Remember What I Forgot is a book full of vital information—and a solid dose of hope.
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"this was a really well written book that was informative (while still interesting) about all the research that has been done on alzheimers and dementia in the past ten years or so...told in narration, the author is on a hunt to see if she can know if she will have dementia. "
— Jeri (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Educational, fabulously well written, and on a hot topic. Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“Campbell adds texture to the reportage…She is a fine stand-in for the author, giving voice with audible humor and empathy.”
— AudioFile -
“Informative, beautifully written, and hard to put down, this is a book you have to remember not to forget to buy.”
— Julia Alvarez, author of How the García Girls Lost Their Accents -
Campbell adds texture to the reportage.... She is a fine stand-in for the author, giving voice with audible humor and empathy.
— AudioFile
Can't Remember What I Forgot Listener Reviews
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" Interesting read. Lots of accesible information on what's going on in the field of memory and the brain. "
— Lynn, 12/18/2013 -
" A consumer friendly look at neuro/medical research into memory. "
— Cody, 5/21/2013 -
" this was a really well written book that was informative (while still interesting) about all the research that has been done on alzheimers and dementia in the past ten years or so...told in narration, the author is on a hunt to see if she can know if she will have dementia. "
— Jeri, 4/15/2013 -
" Alot of science that I struggle through..but then the information holds me...she translates well. The book Carved by Sand was much more engaging..much more personable. But this one is interesting! I am still trying to memorize (ha) the parts of the brain. "
— Lee, 1/22/2013 -
" Interesting book on memory. i just can't remember anything about it. "
— Judith, 7/14/2012 -
" The author spends a lot of time speculating on memory and worrying, but not that much time sharing the kinds of breathtaking new research that I was expecting from a book like this. "
— Kat, 3/29/2012 -
" Well-written, interesting subject. The only great lack is a definite conclusion but, as it is a survey of current research, I suppose that would be impossible. Another point for the writers in the epic writers-researching-science v. scientists-writing struggle. "
— Eoin, 10/2/2011 -
" Very well written for a popular science book. "
— Mathew, 6/29/2011 -
" Interesting look at current memory research. "
— Pam, 3/24/2011 -
" Eh, although pacing picks up in second half. "
— Emily, 12/13/2010 -
" can't remember... "
— Claudia, 3/1/2010 -
" The author spends a lot of time speculating on memory and worrying, but not that much time sharing the kinds of breathtaking new research that I was expecting from a book like this. "
— Kat, 12/18/2009 -
" Interesting book on memory. i just can't remember anything about it. "
— Judith, 4/12/2009 -
" A consumer friendly look at neuro/medical research into memory. "
— Cody, 3/19/2009 -
" Very well written for a popular science book. "
— Mathew, 2/22/2009 -
" Interesting look at current memory research. "
— Pam, 8/22/2008 -
" Alot of science that I struggle through..but then the information holds me...she translates well. The book Carved by Sand was much more engaging..much more personable. But this one is interesting! I am still trying to memorize (ha) the parts of the brain. <br/> <br/> "
— Lee, 6/1/2008 -
" Well-written, interesting subject. The only great lack is a definite conclusion but, as it is a survey of current research, I suppose that would be impossible. Another point for the writers in the epic writers-researching-science v. scientists-writing struggle. "
— Eoin, 5/31/2008
About Sue Halpern
Sue Halpern received her doctorate from Oxford University in 1985 and first began teaching at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is the author of Four Wings and a Prayer, Migrations to Solitude, and several books of fiction. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Condé Nast Traveler, and the New York Review of Books, among other publications. She is a scholar-in-residence at Middlebury College. She lives in Ripton, Vermont, with her husband, writer Bill McKibben, and their daughter, Sophie.
About Cassandra Campbell
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.