How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading

Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren explain how to read books actively and well, in a guide first published in 1940 and revised in 1972. They describe four levels of reading: elementary, inspectional, analytical and syntopical, the comparison of many books on one subject. The authors give rules for understanding and criticizing a book, and advice for reading fiction, history, science, philosophy and other kinds of works.

Recommended by 1 person

Shane Parrish: “In preparation for a summer of reading, reflecting, and connecting, I chose to re-read this book. If you believe that you’re not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome. When is the last time someone intelligent showed you how to read, skim, and evaluate what you’re reading?”