It may sound silly to discuss a topic like “how to read a book”, however we believe that this is a fundamental topic. Something to get “straight”, right from the beginning.

Why reading a book?

Well, first of all, let’s address the obvious: why reading, at all?

As books became more common, reading has quickly gained the first position as main method for us to gain knowledge and enhance our understanding of various subjects… or losing ourselves in fantasy worlds and participate in our heroes’ life.

Reading truly is the way for Escalating Your Knowledge, your Life and therefore Everyone’s Life on this Planet, and at some point, possibly, in our whole Galaxy!

How to read a book, effectively?

Reading a book effectively is, however, more than just racing through its pages!

The main ingredient for effectively reading a book is “the reason” for which you want to read that book. In a certain sense, the relevant question is not “how to read a book” but “why reading a book?”.

The only reason that really matters is yours and when you find a good one, it will feel rather “personal”.

The reason will determine how enjoyably and effectively you will acquire the information: it will also play a big role in retaining such information.

How to Read a Book, by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

One of our favorite books on the topic, incidentally, is “How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading” by authors Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.

You can find this favorite classical book, in your preferred format, in virtually any store online, for example on Amazon US or Amazon UK.

Let’s report three reviews for underlining that we are not the only ones in love with this book:

• “These four hundred pages are packed full of high matters which no one solicitous of the future of American culture can afford to overlook.” ― Jacques Barzun
• “It shows concretely how the serious work of proper reading may be accomplished and how much it may yield in the way of instruction and delight.” ― The New Yorker
• “‘There is the book; and here is your mind.’ Adler and Van Doren’s suggestions on how to connect the two will make you nostalgic for a slower, more earnest, less trivial time.” ― Anne Fadiman

About Authors Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren are two of the most influential thinkers and writers on education and the great books of Western civilization. Adler (1902-2001) was an American philosopher, educator, and popular author who advocated the educational philosophy of perennialism. He believed in exposing students to the great literature, art, music and philosophy of the past in order to develop wisdom and critical thinking.

Adler helped create the Great Books of the Western World series and was its editor-in-chief for its second edition in 1990. His views on education were shaped by the philosophers Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Some of Adler’s most important works include How to Read a Book, The Paideia Proposal, and The Great Conversation: A Reader’s Guide to Great Books of the Western World.

Charles Van Doren (1926-2019) was an American intellectual best known for his involvement in the 1950s quiz show scandals. However, he also co-authored an important book with Adler in 1940 titled How to Read a Book. This classic work on analytical reading explains the different levels of reading and how to approach materials in various fields from literature to science and philosophy. Van Doren advocated deep, thoughtful reading as opposed to the superficial skimming that he believed had become prevalent. In addition to How to Read a Book, Van Doren also wrote A History of Knowledge with Adler, which discussed the major intellectual achievements of humankind.

Despite coming from different backgrounds, Adler and Van Doren shared a passion for the life of the mind. They believed reading and contemplating the greatest works of the Western tradition were keys to wisdom, self-improvement and analyzed thinking. How to Read a Book emerged from a course Adler and Van Doren co-taught at Columbia University and went on to sell over 1 million copies. It shaped generations of readers on how to engage with books actively and critically. Adler and Van Doren’s collaboration produced other important works on education and intellectual history as well.

Though their approaches differed, they shared a common mission to guide readers into the Great Conversation of classic texts and ideas. Their accessible, insightful writings made philosophy and liberal arts subjects approachable for the general public. Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren left a tremendous legacy as philosopher-teachers who taught millions how to read, think and live with wisdom.

Conclusion

In essence, find both a good book and a good reason for reading it.

At Escalating Knowledge, we will be able to help you finding a highly quality book that we have truly loved. Please let us know your personal reason for reading the book, in the comment section: perhaps, in the future, it will become our new favorite reason for keeping reading!

FAQs

What are the main ideas in How to Read a Book?

How to Read a Book focuses on teaching readers how to extract the most value from books by reading actively and analytically. The authors provide a four-level reading framework that includes elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical reading. Key ideas include how to assess a book’s structure, how to spot key arguments and claims, how to criticize and engage with an author’s ideas, and how to read multiple books on the same subject syntopically. Overall, the book aims to transform readers from passive to active learners.

What does inspectional reading involve?

Inspectional reading is the second level in the authors’ four-level framework. It involves quickly examining a book’s structure and contents to grasp its overall message. Skimming chapter headings, introductions and conclusions, inspecting subheads, and checking the table of contents and index are key techniques. The goal is to understand the book’s overarching ideas and arguments before engaging in a deep analytical read. It allows assessing a book’s relevance before committing further time.

How can I read analytically according to Adler and Van Doren?

The third level, analytical reading, engages with a book’s ideas critically and actively. The authors advise reading with questions in mind, looking for answers and assessing the quality of arguments. Important techniques include spotting key terms, arguments, and propositions, inspecting the book’s structure, determining which ideas are principal and subordinate, critiquing the author’s reasoning, and comparing claims to your own knowledge and beliefs. Analytic reading fully grasps and judges a book’s concepts.

What kind of books warrant syntopical reading?

Syntopical reading, the highest level, is reserved for canonical works and books on the same subject. It involves analyzing relationships between books and placing them in context. To read syntopically, identify relevant books on the same topic, inspect them to understand their arguments and approaches, and discern contradictions, connections, and gaps between them. The goal is to develop a composite analysis and balanced perspective on the topic. It requires effort and commitment but yields a sophisticated comparative view.

How can I apply the different reading levels in daily life?

The four reading levels can transform how you approach books, articles, reports, and more. Elementary reading’s focus on decoding words serves early learning. Inspectional reading works for news, magazines, and scanning documents. Analytical reading aids focused study for school, professional training, and developing expertise. Syntopical reading offers perspective when researching major issues or reading widely on a subject. Adjusting your approach lets you tailor how deeply you read based on needs and purpose.

What strategies does the book recommend for critical reading?

Several key strategies boost critical reading skills. Asking probing questions of the text instead of passively receiving ideas trains critical thinking. Outlining the author’s propositions, arguments, and chain of reasoning reveals logical gaps. Judging the author’s credibility and examining the evidence strengthens objectivity. Applying new knowledge to concrete situations tests its validity. Checking multiple sources provides perspective. Critically engaging with texts transforms reading from a passive activity to an active intellectual dialogue.

How can I get the most value from non-fiction books?

Beyond careful reading, other tips maximize non-fiction value. Refreshing background knowledge beforehand enables deeper understanding. Discussing concepts from the book with others reinforces learning. Taking detailed notes aids review and application. Putting lessons into practice embeds them. Re-reading difficult passages sharpens comprehension. Consulting additional sources expands on the book’s ideas. Reflecting on how the book challenges your views fosters growth. Deriving key takeaways tailors its insights to your needs.

What role does elementary reading play in Adler and Van Doren’s approach?

Elementary reading focuses on basic comprehension and forms the foundation for higher-level analysis. The authors define it as decoding words and grasping surface meaning. Mentally organizing text into a coherent narrative is the aim. Elementary reading provides a necessary first step but does little to extract deeper value from texts. To benefit fully from books, advancing beyond this stage to inspectional, analytical, and syntopical reading using the authors’ methods is essential.

How can I develop my ability to read analytically?

Practice applying Adler and Van Doren’s active reading techniques regularly to build analytical skills. Read with pointed questions in mind. Inspect structure and logic carefully. Spot key terms and arguments. Assess reasoning quality. Take notes on major claims and ideas. Outline the author’s chain of thought. Test assertions against your knowledge. Consider alternate interpretations. Compare viewpoints in different books. Discuss concepts from your reading with others. Continually engaging analytically strengthens critical thinking.

What are some key takeaways from How to Read a Book?

Main takeaways include adopting an active, questioning mindset; recognizing shallow reading’s limits; learning each book’s structure and aims; inspecting chapters strategically; focusing on principal propositions; critically evaluating logic; testing conclusions against experience; synthesizing ideas from multiple books; and staying open to having your views changed by compelling arguments. Work up from elementary reading to higher analytical and syntopical levels. Apply the methods widely. Keep developing your reasoning skills through active reading.