How To Read A Book

DETAILS : 

• Author : Mortimer J. Adler , Charles Van Doren
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 15 August 1972
  
• Edition ‏ : ‎ Revised
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 426 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671212095 
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671212094
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 400 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

How to Read a Book, originally published in 1940 and significantly updated in 1972, stands as the ultimate guide to the art of "active reading." Authors Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren argue that while most people learn basic literacy in childhood, very few are taught how to truly master a difficult text. The book serves as a roadmap for transitioning from passive reading—where information simply washes over the reader—to a high level of engagement where the reader actively critiques, understands, and synthesizes the author's arguments. It is widely considered a cornerstone of classical education and a vital tool for anyone serious about lifelong learning.

The heart of the book lies in its systematic classification of reading into four levels: Elementary, Inspectional, Analytical, and Syntopical. Elementary reading is the foundation of literacy, while Inspectional reading teaches the art of intelligent skimming to grasp a book’s skeleton. Analytical reading is the most intense phase, requiring the reader to "x-ray" the book to uncover its core propositions and logic. Finally, Syntopical reading involves comparing multiple books on a single subject to develop an independent perspective. By mastering these stages, a reader moves beyond just knowing what a book says to understanding what it means and whether it is true.

Beyond these technical levels, the authors provide tailored advice for approaching different types of literature, ranging from complex philosophical treatises to imaginative poetry and scientific papers. They emphasize the importance of "reading between the lines" and the physical act of "marking a book" as a way of engaging in a mental dialogue with the author. The ultimate goal of the book is not just to help people read faster or more efficiently, but to help them read better, fostering a deeper intellectual life and a more profound understanding of the "Great Conversation" of human thought.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mortimer J. Adler (1902–2001) was a titan of American philosophy and education, best known for his lifelong advocacy of the "Great Books" of the Western world. As the Chairman of the Board of Editors for Encyclopædia Britannica, he believed that the most profound ideas should be accessible to all, not just an academic elite. Charles Van Doren (1926–2019) was a writer, editor, and scholar who brought his vast polymathic knowledge to the 1972 revision of the text. Together, they formed a formidable team dedicated to the idea that true democracy depends on a citizenry capable of critical thought and deep, meaningful reading.