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How to Read a Book

By Charles Van Doren, Mortimer J. Adler

(47)

| Paperback | 9780671212094

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Book Description

How to Read a Book, originally published in 1940, has become a rare phenomenon, a living classic. It is the best and most successful guide to reading comprehension for the general reader. And now it has been completely rewritten and updated.

You are told about the various levels oContinue

4 Reviews

Adler is a very clear writer, listing out all his problems and attacking them one by one in a very thorough fashion. His writing style is very plain and easy to read.
His arguments are therefore convincing; particularly his thoughts on the lack of reading ability among college students and why ... (continue)

Adler is a very clear writer, listing out all his problems and attacking them one by one in a very thorough fashion. His writing style is very plain and easy to read.
His arguments are therefore convincing; particularly his thoughts on the lack of reading ability among college students and why it is so. This first part of the book, where he examines these thoughts, is interesting and worth the read.
However, as he moves on to the business of how he believes one should read, the style becomes more ponderous. He gives good tips: take note of the title, table of contents, preface, take note of important words, and outline or summarize a book or section to be sure you have understood it. But he begins to go off into tangents, and spends many hundreds of pages explaining his theories where only a few would have done. For Adler believes one needs to make everything perfectly clear in every way, and consider every possible argument against his statements. A noble endeavor to be sure, but this is not a scientific paper.
Overall, it is useful for awakening a sense that one should be more aware while reading, but otherwise an unremarkable book. As Adler himself notes, it is not a "good book", but it is certainly serviceable.

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rp said on Apr 6, 2008 | Add your feedback

This book is a very serious guide that takes a very serious look at the method of reading. Though written half a century ago, the advice it gives is still applicable to most kinds of reading.

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Holmes said on Dec 26, 2007 | Add your feedback