How to Read a Book by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer J. Adler (PB)

With half a million copies in print, How to Read a Book is the best and most successful guide to reading comprehension for the general reader, completely rewritten and updated with new material.

A CNN Book of the Week: “Explains not just why we should read books, but how we should read them. It’s masterfully done.” –Farheed Zakaria

Originally published in 1940, this book is a rare phenomenon, a living classic that introduces and elucidates the various levels of reading and how to achieve them—from elementary reading, through systematic skimming and inspectional reading, to speed reading. Readers will learn when and how to “judge a book by its cover,” and also how to X-ray it, read critically, and extract the author’s message from the text.

Also included is instruction in the different techniques that work best for reading particular genres, such as practical books, imaginative literature, plays, poetry, history, science and mathematics, philosophy and social science works.

Finally, the authors offer a recommended reading list and supply reading tests you can use measure your own progress in reading skills, comprehension, and speed.

About the Author

Dr. Mortimer J. Adler was Chairman of the Board of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Director of the Institute for Philosophical Research, Honorary Trustee of the Aspen Institute, and authored more than fifty books. He died in 2001.

Dr. Charles Van Doren earned advanced degrees in both literature and mathematics from Columbia University, where he later taught English and was the Assistant Director of the Institute for Philosophical Research. He also worked for Encyclopedia Britannica in Chicago.

Top lessons from How to Read a Book by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer J. Adler:

1. Reading is an active process: Engaging with the text through questioning, analyzing, and critical thinking is essential to truly understanding it.

2. Different books require different reading approaches: Not all books are meant to be read the same way; adapt your method based on the book’s purpose and complexity.

3. Understand the structure: Grasp the book’s main argument, outline, and how its parts fit together before diving into the details.

4. Ask questions while reading: Key questions include: What is the book about? What is being said in detail? Is the content true? What of it?

5. Reading has four levels: Elementary reading (basic understanding), inspectional reading (skimming), analytical reading (deep comprehension), and syntopical reading (comparing multiple books on a topic).

6. Highlight and annotate: Marking important points, writing notes, and summarizing ideas help deepen comprehension and retain knowledge.

7. Learn the author’s vocabulary: Understanding the specific terms and concepts the author uses is crucial for grasping their message.

8. Read for understanding, not agreement: The goal is to understand the author’s ideas fully before forming opinions or judgments.

9. Syntopical reading is the highest form: When researching a topic, reading multiple sources critically and comparing their perspectives leads to a deeper understanding.

10. Practice makes perfect: Reading effectively is a skill that improves with practice, reflection, and consistent application of the methods discussed.