How to read a book / by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles van Doren.

The classic guide to intelligent reading. (Cover)

Includes bibliography (p. 347-362) and index.

p. 1. The dimensions of reading -- The activity and art of reading -- The levels of reading -- The first level of reading : elementary reading -- The second level of reading : inspectional reading -- How to be a demanding reader -- p. 2. The third level of reading : analytical reading -- Pigeonholing a book -- X-raying a book -- Coming to terms with an author -- Determining an author's message -- Criticizing a book fairly -- Agreeing or disagreeing with an author -- Aids to reading -- p. 3. Approaches to different kinds of reading matter -- How to read practical books -- How to read imaginative literature -- Suggestions for reading stories, plays and poems -- How to read history -- How to read science and mathematics -- How to read philosophy -- How to read social science -- p. 4. The ultimate goals of reading -- The fourth level of reading : syntopical reading -- Reading and the growth of the mind.

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.