Books Are Great

How To Read A Book by Mortimer Adler

6 snips
Jan 24, 2018
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

There Is A Best Way To Read

  • Mortimer Adler argues there's a best way to read, especially for nonfiction, that increases understanding rather than just information.
  • Reading properly involves stages that move from basic literacy to deep, transformative comprehension.
INSIGHT

Four Levels Of Reading

  • Adler defines four levels of reading: elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical, each deeper than the last.
  • Syntopical reading combines multiple books to create original ideas not found in any single source.
ADVICE

Read For Understanding, Not Just Facts

  • Read to increase understanding, not just to collect facts; treat unread comprehension as the goal when a book challenges you.
  • Approach difficult books as active exercises that require effort and skill to transform your understanding.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app