
How to Read a Book
The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
By Mortimer J. Adler and Charles van Doren
Published 01/1940
About the Author
Mortimer J. Adler was an American philosopher, educator, and popular author. He was a long-time advocate for the Great Books program and the idea that education should focus on teaching people how to think critically. Alongside his co-author, Charles Van Doren, Adler aimed to provide readers with the tools to understand and analyze literature deeply. Van Doren, an academic and editor, brought a keen editorial eye and a passion for effective communication to their collaboration on "How to Read a Book."
Main Idea
The central premise of "How to Read a Book" is that reading is an active, not passive, activity. Adler and Van Doren argue that to truly understand and benefit from reading, one must engage with the material critically and systematically. They present a series of techniques and questions designed to improve one's reading skills, enhance comprehension, and integrate knowledge from multiple sources.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Premise of How to Read
- Elementary and Inspectional Reading
- Analytical Reading
- Comparative Reading
- How to Make Reading Work for You
Introduction: The Premise of How to Read
The authors begin by discussing the importance of learning how to read intelligently beyond basic literacy skills taught in childhood. They argue that many adults read at an elementary level, focusing on collecting facts rather than comprehending and synthesizing information. This book aims to teach readers how to read for understanding and critical thinking.
Sign up for FREE and get access to 1,400+ books summaries.
You May Also Like
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
By Mark MansonRich Dad Poor Dad
What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
By Robert T. KiyosakiHow To Win Friends and Influence People
The All-Time Classic Manual Of People Skills
By Dale CarnegieI Am Malala
The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
By Malala YousafzaiQuiet: The Power of Introverts
The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
By Susan Cain