REVIEW: "How to Read", Mortimer Adler

Mortimer Adler, the author of the book publishing house "Myth", entitled "How to Read a Book: A Guide to reading great works" distinguishes between two types of reading: in order to obtain information and for understanding. It is clear that talk about this book, it is necessary at the junction of these two concepts.

Mortimer Adler

American philosopher, teacher, editor and promoter of arts education. Organized two research institutions: in 1952 Institute of Philosophical Studies, and in 1990, together with Max Weissman - Center for the Study of the great ideas in Chicago

And to start with resounding approval.

We do not know how to read.

You can not read books, do not know how to do, and I'm your professor for literature. Probably each of us noticed how by reading any book, mentally distracted and a few pages later realized that just doing background reading, not understanding and not remembering anything. About and look your current reading compared with the reading method mentioned in the book of Mortimer Adler.

Initially, the book came out in 1940, so the author is inclined to indulge in lengthy discussions and pour plenty of water, but in fact earlier and the pace of life was different? In addition, the author honestly admits that with his book, you do not learn to read, keeping in mind the need to practice to master this art. But, if you at least try to, you will have the chance to multiply the resulting benefit from reading and make up for the shortcomings in education.

Mortimer Adler argued that a good, thoughtful reader reads the book three times, or rather three ways.

• The first method - a structural or analytical. At this stage, the reader should understand the structure of the book, pay attention to the content and the main thematic components.
• The second method - interpretative or synthetic. In this case, the reader should treat the main keywords, paragraphs and sentences. Understand and interpret, paraphrase and reflect.
• The third way - a critical or evaluative. At this stage, the reader is invited to argue with the author of the book, to understand what is read and the drawbacks which the author could not be right. It should, however, remember that there is no unsolvable differences and that the author, probably exceeds the reader intellectually.

It should be understood that with this review, you also do not learn to read. As with the help of the book itself. However, even those who read the book, not paying enough attention to the proposed rules and reading methods will certainly see the problem the wrong scale, unconscious reading.

I would have done the work "How to Read" required reading, and even the whole subject for students of modern universities, because it is necessary to begin with the reading of the educational process. But do not think that a man of education Mortimer Adler did a herculean job for students only. This book will be useful to anyone who wants to get the maximum benefit and enjoyment of reading, who want to learn to read actively read and understand fully. Concluding the review, drawing an analogy with music listening: to read books in a familiar way - it all like to prefer low-quality audio listening vinyl record on good equipment. Mortimer Adler gives us a record, and the player. Only need to learn to listen.

Ranking: 8 out of 10

"How to Read", Mortimer Adler

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