How to Read a Book

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The classic and definitive guide to the art of active reading, updated for the modern reader.

Are you reading for information or for understanding? There is a profound difference. This timeless classic from philosopher Mortimer J. Adler shows you how to move beyond the passive consumption of words to become a truly demanding, active reader.

How to Read a Book is not a basic primer. Instead, it teaches you the systematic art of engaging with a text to extract its deepest meaning. Adler introduces his revolutionary Four Levels of Reading—from Elementary and Inspectional reading (how to effectively judge a book by its cover) to Analytical and Syntopical reading (how to critically wrestle with a book’s structure and arguments, and even read across multiple books on a single subject).

You will learn how to:

X-ray a book to understand its core structure.

Come to terms with an author by interpreting key words and propositions.

Criticize a book fairly and intelligently, separating agreement from disagreement.

Adapt your reading style to any genre, from poetry and history to science and philosophy.

Featuring a complete recommended reading list of the world’s “Great Books,” this is an indispensable resource for students, lifelong learners, writers, and anyone who wants to get more out of what they read. Discover the joy of pulling yourself up by your intellectual bootstraps and unlocking a lifetime of deeper wisdom.