Memory: Essays on how, why, and when we remember
October 16, 2018

November 11, 2018, is the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, a time of remembering and memorial, of linking past events to the world we live in today. Taking this particular moment as a catalyst, this book examines the character and relevance of memory more broadly. The essays in this collection ask readers to think creatively and deeply about notions of memory – its composition and practices – and the ways that memory is transmitted, recorded, and distorted through time and space.
Memory navigates a broad terrain, with essays drawn from a diverse group of contributors who capture different perspectives on the idea of memory in fields ranging from molecular genetics, astrophysics and engineering, to law, Indigenous oral histories, and the natural world. This book challenges readers to think critically about memory, offering an engaging and interdisciplinary road map for exploring how, why, and when we remember.
Memory was published by the Peter Wall Institute, and is currently being distributed by UBC Press. Order a copy here.
Memory was edited by:
PHILIPPE TORTELL is director of the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, and a professor in the departments of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, and Botany.
MARK TURIN is an associate professor in the department of Anthropology and First Nations and Endangered Languages.
MARGOT YOUNG is a professor in the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
Meet some of the people behind the book:
Memory is available for free through JSTOR via their open access book portal. Each chapter can be read online, downloaded, printed, or shared. Discover diverse perspectives on the idea of memory here.
Related stories:
Read our Wall Papers feature on the Memory book here.
New Peter Wall Institute book Memory peels back the layers of history in a multitude of ways — The Georgia Straight
Wade Davis: Life without wild things — excerpt from the new book published by The Narwhal
Listen to Memory colaborator and UBC History Professor Tara Mayer speak about her co-authored chapter “Global, 1918” on Radio-Canada
Listen to Wall Scholar and Memory colaborator Ian Williams speak about his poem “Anthems” on the CBC’s North by Northwest