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

by Mortimer J. Adler

A practical framework for reading with purpose

Regular price $27.00 USD
Regular price $45.00 USD Sale price $27.00 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Editorial selection

    CNN Book of the Week

    Named a CNN Book of the Week.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A practical framework for reading with purpose

Mortimer J. Adler’s guide organizes reading into levels, from elementary reading to skimming and inspectional reading, with attention to critical reading and speed. It also considers how reading approaches can vary by kind of material, including fiction, plays, poetry, history, science, philosophy, and practical books. The book presents methods for examining a text, identifying an author’s message, and assessing one’s own comprehension and reading skills. First published in 1940, this edition is described as rewritten and updated, and includes a recommended reading list and self-assessment tests.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • General readers seeking structured guidance on comprehension and critical reading
  • Readers interested in adapting their approach to different genres and disciplines
  • People who want exercises for assessing reading skills and comprehension

Themes

Reading comprehensionCritical readingReading strategiesGenre-specific approachesSelf-assessment

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

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.
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