How to Read a Book

Mortimer J. Adler

Book Synopsis

"How to Read a Book" by Mortimer J. Adler is a comprehensive guide that illuminates the art of reading and understanding texts. This classic book provides readers with the tools and techniques needed to become active, critical readers.

In the first section, Adler introduces the four levels of reading: elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical. He explores the different goals and approaches required for each level, allowing readers to effectively tailor their reading strategy to the type of text they encounter.

The book also covers the vital skills of interpreting and evaluating what is read. Adler emphasizes the importance of asking questions and engaging with the material, encouraging readers to form their own opinions and develop their critical thinking abilities.

Adler presents invaluable advice on how to read different genres, including practical tips on reading novels, essays, scientific texts, and more. He offers guidance on extracting information and understanding the author's intended meaning while avoiding common pitfalls.

In addition, he tackles the challenge of reading difficult books, guiding readers through complex subjects with clarity and depth. Adler teaches readers how to engage with challenging texts, increase their comprehension, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

With its straightforward and concise writing style, "How to Read a Book" equips readers with the skills needed to navigate the vast ocean of literature and make the most out of their reading experience. It is an invaluable resource for students, individuals seeking personal improvement, and anyone who wishes to become a more astute reader.

Explore More Books

See All
Prime Movers of Globalization
The Origin of Wealth
101 Reasons to Get Out of Bed
Systems Medicine
Building the Intentional University
From Bacteria to Bach and Back
Hit Refresh
The Splendid and the Vile
Profile of a Nation
Deep Survival
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
The Black Jacobins
Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got
The Anatomy of Buzz
An Immense World
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
The Overview Effect
Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field
Built To Last
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
Showing Up for Life
The Price We Pay
The Big Picture
The Black Dahlia
It's All Too Much
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Seeker
Be Here Now
Every Shot Counts
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
Out of Many, One
Troublemakers
The Culture Code
The Bet
The Giving Tree
Boyd
Leaders
Switch
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Dear Founder
Pale Rider
Vagabonding
Dune
The Upright Thinkers
The Writing Life
The God Delusion
Revolution
Steve Jobs
Mortal Republic
Thirst
Jane Eyre
Who Moved My Cheese?
The Power To Compete
The Sheltering Sky
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
Talking To Humans
How Companies Win
The Wisdom Paradox
Hyperbole and a Half
The Value Investors
The Only Game In Town
Continental Reckoning
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Not Fade Away
Six Thinking Hats
Numbers Don't Lie
Energy
Gridiron Genius
Money: Master The Game
Stumbling on Happiness
Incognito
Ficciones
Autobiography of a Yogi
Race and Culture
The Great Gatsby
Into The Silence
The Charisma Myth
Oscar
Uncaring
Death Rattle
Only the Paranoid Survive
The Art Of Doing Science And Engineering
The Crisis of Global Capitalism
Breath From Salt
The Jack Vance Treasury
In Over Our Heads
Lenin
Small Is the New Big
Long Walk to Freedom
Taken for Granted
What If?
Zoning Rules!
The Heart
Dreamland
The Trump Century
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Planetary
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Tenth of December
UFO Hunters