The Collective Memory (book)

"The Collective Memory" by Maurice Halbwachs is a scholarly work that explores how societies remember and transmit shared memories across generations. Halbwachs argues that individual memories are shaped by social contexts and group affiliations, such as family, community, or nation. These collective memories influence identity and cultural continuity, often through institutions, traditions, and narratives. The book emphasizes that memory is not purely personal but is constructed through social frameworks, helping groups maintain a sense of history and belonging. It remains influential in understanding how societies shape and preserve their collective identity over time.