This text provides a review and critical evaluation of research into "flashbulb" memories. The opening chapters explore the "encoding" view of flashbulb memory formation and critically appraise a number of lines of research that have opposed this view. Subsequent chapters review and appraise more recent work which has generally found in favour of the flashbulb concept. Evidence from clinical studies of flashbulb memories is then considered. Neurobiological models of memory formation are briefly reviewed, and one view suggesting that there may be multiple routes to memory formation is explored in detail. In the final chapter a cognitive account of flashbulb memories is outlined. This chapter also considers the wider implications of flashbulb memories and their potential role in the formation of generational identity.