How to Read a Book: The Art of Getting a Liberal Education. Mortimer J. Adler.

How to Read a Book: The Art of Getting a Liberal Education.
Mortimer J. Adler.
New York: Simon and Schuster. 1940/1967.

Books must be read in three ways: to understand, to question the author and to criticize the work. On criticizing, the author makes the point that there is a difference between attacking and disagreeing.

In 1625, Francis Bacon suggested that some books are to be "tasted," or read in parts; some books to be "swallowed," or read rapidly (westerns, mysteries, romances, "chick-lit," etc.); and some few books to be "chewed and digested," or read carefully and thoroughly. This book is designed for that third type of reading. The author suggests that the first reading is for understanding; the second reading is to question the author, raise questions about what has been read; and the third reading, to criticize what has been read.

Although, in the book, the author seems to suggest three separate readings, he intends that the reader will learn to do the three steps--understanding, questioning, criticizing--in one reading.

Worth thinking about--and trying. A preview--first and last paragraphs of each nonfiction chapter--should tell you whether the book is worth reading every word from beginning to end.

All the best. RayS.