How to Read a BookHow to Read a Book
Score Classic
What it's about
Mortimer Adler, a philosopher and champion of great books, explains how to read actively and deeply, through four levels: basic reading, skimming a book to see what it is, analytical reading to understand it fully, and comparing many books on one subject. He gives specific rules for reading fiction, history, science and philosophy.
Why it's worth reading
It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and has taught generations to read more intelligently.
You'll love it if you liked
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleGood to know
The 1972 revision with Charles Van Doren is the standard edition. It's practical rather than inspiring.
By the numbers
- Readers41 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller57 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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1984
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A Brief History of TimeExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is How to Read a Book worth reading?
Yes. It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and has taught generations to read more intelligently. It ranks #1,662 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is How to Read a Book about?
Mortimer Adler, a philosopher and champion of great books, explains how to read actively and deeply, through four levels: basic reading, skimming a book to see what it is, analytical reading to understand it fully, and comparing many books on one subject. He gives specific rules for reading fiction, history, science and philosophy.
How long does it take to read How to Read a Book?
About 11 hours (423 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after How to Read a Book?
If you liked it, try The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey.