Theories of Memory: A Reader

by Michael Rossington

Theories of Memory provides a comprehensive introduction to the rapidly expanding field of memory studies. It is a resource through which students will be able both to broaden their knowledge of contemporary theoretical perspectives and trace the development of ideas about memory from the classical period to the present. The Reader is organised into three *Part I, Beginnings, is historical in scope. Its three sections, Classical and Early Modern Ideas of Memory; Enlightenment and Romantic Memory, and Memory and Late Modernity lay out the key psychological, rhetorical, and cultural concepts of memory in the work of a range of thinkers from Plato to Walter Benjamin. *Part II, Positionings, identifies three major perspectives through which memory has been defined and debated more Collective Memory; Jewish Memory Discourse; and Trauma. *Part III, Identities, examines the key role of memory in contemporary constructions of identity under the headings Gender; Race/Nation; and Diaspora. The general introduction sets out the significance of the field of memory studies while the accessible introductions to the nine sections also include suggestions for further reading in the area. Features*Offers a comprehensive introduction to the rapidly expanding field of memory studies*Both theorizes and historicizes the concept of memory for students of literature and culture*Foregrounds the importance of memory in contemporary theory*Provides a thorough survey of theories of memory from the classical period to the present*Edited by a team with a distinct range of expertise as well as experience of teaching theories of memory to graduate students

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2007

Reviews

[Adam Dupaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illuminating and incredibly useful. The reader could have used further samples of and commentary on Walter Benjamin's thinking on memory, a better selection from Maurice Halbwachs, and something from Paul Ricouer would have been great (Svetlana Boym should be in here as well, for that matter), but overall I benefited enormously from the diverse and well-introduced selections.

[Marilena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite serious book about memory studies.
From old theories like Plato, Aristotle, Cicero up to...Pierre Nora, Maurice Halbwachs, Dominick LaCapra etc.

[Jessica Zu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe adding "Western" will make the title more appropriate--just my 2cents.