How to Read a Book

With half a million copies in print, "How to Read a Book" is the best and most successful guide to reading comprehension for the general reader, completely rewritten and updated with new material. Originally published in 1940, this book 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 how to "judge a book by its cover," how to X-ray it, read critically, and extract the author’s message from the text. The book includes instruction in the techniques that work best for reading practical books, imaginative literature, plays, poetry, history, science and mathematics, philosophy, and social science works. A recommended reading list and reading tests are also provided to measure progress in reading skills, comprehension, and speed.