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How to Read a Book by Mortimer J Adler & Charles Van Doren

  • Would you like to learn how to read better and understand different types of materials, like stories or scientific articles?
  • Do you know how to analyse a book deeply to really understand the author's message?
  • Can you combine information from different books to form your own ideas?

"How to Read a Book" is about improving your reading skills to get more out of books. It explains that reading isn't just about going through the words on a page, but involves different levels of understanding and engagement. There are four levels of reading explained in the book:

  1. Elementary Reading - This is basic reading.
  2. Inspectional Reading - This involves skimming a book quickly to get an idea of what it's about.
  3. Analytical Reading - This is when you read more deeply and critically think about what the book says.
  4. Syntopical Reading - This advanced level involves reading several books on the same topic and combining the ideas into a broader understanding.

Reviews and Criticisms:

Many people love this book because it helps turn passive readers into active thinkers. Some find the book a bit repetitive and too detailed. Not all the advice may be practical for every type of reading.


No pages or chapters have been created for this book.