How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler

How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading — written by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, is a timeless guide that teaches readers how to read effectively, deeply, and critically.

First published in 1940 (revised in 1972), the book explains that not all reading is the same — and to truly understand a book, one must learn different levels of reading, from basic comprehension to analytical and syntopical reading (comparing multiple works on the same topic).

Adler helps readers become active participants in reading — asking questions, making connections, and extracting meaning, rather than passively consuming words.

👉 Main Ideas:

• There are four levels of reading: Elementary, Inspectional, Analytical, and Syntopical.

• Good reading is an active process that involves questioning and reflection.

• To learn from books, one must understand the author’s intent and arguments.

• Reading well helps develop critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.

👉 Authors: Mortimer J. Adler & Charles Van Doren
👉 Published: 1940 (revised 1972)
👉 Genre: Education / Self-Improvement / Philosophy

💬 “The person who says he knows what he thinks but cannot express it usually does not know what he thinks.”

✨ How to Read a Book is an essential guide for students, thinkers, and lifelong learners, showing how to transform reading into a powerful tool for understanding and growth.