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
Math, Better Explained
The Unquiet Grave
Diaspora
The Cold Start Problem
Devil Take the Hindmost
The Innovators
The First Conspiracy
The Art of Stillness
I Contain Multitudes
Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Thinking and Deciding
A Father First
Blueprint
The Old Way
Think Like a Monk
With the Old Breed
Hunger of Memory
Into The Silence
A Hall of Mirrors
Down to Earth
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Laws of Thermodynamics
The Gallic Wars
Knowledge and The Wealth of Nations
Bowling Alone
Tuxedo Park
How To Live
The Measure of Reality
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Built To Last
In FED We Trust
The Power Broker
A Cultural History of Physics
With All Due Respect
The Righteous Mind
Work Rules!
Successful Investing is a Process
The Theory of Investment Value
Plowman's Folly
How Google Works
Permanent Record
To Sell is Human
The Peacemaker's Code
What Works on Wall Street
Acid Test
Who
Epic Measures
Surface Detail
The Power of Broke
Into Thin Air
How Buildings Learn
The Piano Tuner
Hyperbole and a Half
Necessary Dreams
Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic
Living Within Limits
Scotland
Six Thinking Hats
Pandemic 1918
Who's In Charge
Trump: America First
Parasite Rex
Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism
Tools and Weapons
The Agile Gene
The Fish That Ate The Whale
The Lord of the Rings
The Supermen
Queen of Fashion
Dealing with Darwin
Means Of Ascent
The Craft
Your Symphony of Selves
One of a Kind
Things Never To Tell Children
The Book of Laughter and Forgetting
Levels of the Game
Red Star Over The Pacific
Hornblower Saga
Water in Plain Sight
Diet for a Small Planet
The Grapes of Wrath
Wild And Crazy Guys
Decrypting Money
The Emotion Code
You
Great Expectations
Biography of the Dollar
I Love Capitalism
Chaos Monkeys
Conscious Business
From Bacteria to Bach and Back
Cradle to Cradle
The Secret of Fatima
Competing in the Age of AI
Jane Eyre
Turtles All The Way Down
Tent Life in Siberia