How to Read a Book
The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
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How to Read a Book
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Narrated by:
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Edward Holland
About this listen
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. Audiences 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.
©2021 Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren (P)2021 Simon & Schuster AudioListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about How to Read a Book
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- bobs_bobsington
- 07-08-22
Heavy going but a few nuggets in there
This book was mentioned in another book I read as a thought provoking, paradigm shifting read. It was on some levels although it was pretty long and heavy going, and seemed more like an educational text or a school lecture. The tone is very much of its time, but once you get past all of that, there was definitely a lot in here that will help my future approach to reading - and formulating my own thoughts and opinions - in general.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 12-02-24
Best book classic guide to intelligent read
One of the best book on books , teaches you how to read. I will recommend this book to anyone
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Claude VW
- 26-11-22
Very Instructional
This is a long, sometimes laborious listening exercise. There are undoubtably some fascinating insights into the art of reading and the skills one can acquire to do so effectively. However, this is sometimes bogged down by details into the minutae of how one can learn to acquire this skill. It is worth following all the way through but patience is required!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- E T-Watson
- 01-04-25
Better as a series of lectures - listen up!
I tried reading this book physically on many occasions over the last 3 years. Really struggled - it is a practical academic guide and quite dry & dense. BUT with this reader in my head it became accessible. I felt like I was being taught by my wise old grandpa the secrets to growing my mind. I have used the print version alongside as instructed in the book to annotate, highlight, summarise its arguments and recommendations. This book is old but largely unaged, and full of wisdom. Thoroughly recommend to anyone about to embark on a serious course of study. This should help you get to grips with any type of material! So proud of myself for finishing…
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