Sophia C. reviewed on 3/20/2013 + 289 more book reviews

Originally published in 1940, How to read a book advocates reading as an active, enriching activity. It describes 4 levels of reading, spending most of the time with analytical reading. Although it claims the process works for almost any genre, most of the advice would work best for expository, non-fiction works. While it is reassuring that the systematic approach outlined here is an ideal process, the authors tone, looking down at the meager skill level of most (undergraduate) readers, might strike some as old-fashioned. After all, they are the type that still believes in such things as more knowledge, understanding, truth, as well as Great Books and etiquette in intellectual discourse. Nonetheless, I think the system outlined can be helpful if I can muster the discipline to follow it. It just didnt seem that helpful in terms of reading and understanding classic novels, which was my goal.

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