How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler (Become an Excellent Reader)

How To Read A Book by Mortimer J. Adler is an amazing book on how to become a better reader. Mortimer Adler is so precise and clear in his method of writing that you can't help but gain something from his knowledge. Learning to read better and understand what you read is a truly valuable skill. How To Read A Book is hands down one of the most important books that you should read. I hope you enjoy this How to Read a Book Summary.
- Syntopical Reading
- Analytical Reading


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Cedar Ota Coffee - Denham Springs, Louisiana
We are just running, roasting coffee, and reading books!

[bonniebrown]

My father has an immense library. A treasure trove of classic volumes. He has heavily marked in them, drawn in them, written the personal reflections of his mind and heart. Many of these books have already been passed on to me. I have so enjoyed reading his notes and seeing his markings on the pages. It’s like having him reading along with me. I have also added my own thoughts and notes. Now my children pick up those same volumes and laugh or wonder at the things we’ve written in them. When my library passes on to them someday, they will have a priceless treasure. A family heirloom. They will always be able to find their grandfather and their mother within the pages as they travel along the same literary paths that so delighted us.

I always enjoy your videos! Keep it up!

[narrativedude]

Thanks, this presentation brought some long-forgotten aspects to my development as a writer and teacher. Your delivery was excellent, and you broke down the Adler’s work clearly. You avoided the common YouTube problems, giving us the critical elements in a focused yet relaxed manner. I loved the fact that you spoke while holding your coffee cup, an unconscious manner I have had over the course of my 25 years as a college instructor. A student told me years ago that the simple, unconscious addition made our online course chat feel more like discussion in a hip coffee shop. I look forward to library and watching your future efforts.

[practicalvegankelly]

Just found your channel last night and I’m so glad I did. I began learning American history by reading at least one biography of each president. I’m on Thomas Jefferson(Dumas
Malone’s 6 volume set) and have added other books about subjects I read about in these that I find myself lacking a basic knowledge on. You’re so right when you said you have to a well rounded knowledge and not just one side. I’m going to get a copy of this book because it sounds really interesting. When I first glanced at the authors names I thought, “Not Charles Van Doren?”. Very interesting guy. His uncle, Carl Van Doren, wrote history and biography. Charles was the “Quiz Show” guy.

[klosnj]

Easy to like content that confirms my new methods of scholarship. The idea of starting with questions, making a list, then deciding on the order? Thats part of what revolutionized my reading habits 4 years ago.

Keep up the good work. Can't wait for some more Milton!

[ColdRain-dx]

Wow. Mr. Adler had many powerful quotes. I keep a journal solely dedicated for such quotes that I can call on when needed. I have never been a great thinker, so in my defense I shall once again rely on someone who was. "I do not speak the minds of others except to speak my own mind better" Michel de Montaigne
Excellent presentation once again Mr. Pirie.

[Dan__S]

Absolutely a foundational book. It made my reading much more productive and easier to evaluate what I'm reading.

[nickkrupa]

Great video, and congratulations on the sponsorship!

Asking questions and then reading to find the answers is one of the best pieces of advice I've received. I learn and remember much more when I follow that advice than when I don't.

I finished Emerson's volume. The last part (English Traits) is much better than the others. I'm glad I stuck with it.

I look forward to watching your video about Paradise Lost.

[RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

Grenville Kleiser wrote a fantastic tome titled "How to Build Mental Power" which takes the reader through an early 1900's self-development curriculum. I highly recommend it.

[great]

Your the man Rob. Love your videos because i always learn so much

[capitalmoves]

Great topic and presentation. Thank you will be back to enjoy and learn.

[jimmyhill]

This is really a thoughtful video. Love it.

[JeremyHelm]

10:07 reminds me of a quote from retrieving realism, by Hubert Dreyfus and Charles Taylor: "no understanding the other without a change to understanding a self" - which I take to be a cut deeper in this relational domain of communication

[jimmyhill]

Mom, sister, and maybe older brother. Helped us( I’m a twin. Identical) start reading before, starting before we started to school. In the years. Have read across a lot of different styles. Fiction, non-fiction, horror, lots of history on WW2. Biographies, also. An the Bible. Some books I have devoured. Also Science Fiction. Some great books. Love this channel. Cause it’s gotten me to get some classic books to read.

[jimmyhill]

That’s very true. Churchill did say that!! So it’s interesting to read different authors on the same subject. Giving different perspectives

[Archtraveler]

My man Rob, you never cease to impress me with the breadth of interests and pursuits that you've been sharing over the years! I'm definitely going to pick up this book and check it out. My own journey in reading began very early (also participated in RIF as a child), having finished Charlotte's Web by age 6 and moved on to classics like Last of the Mohicans, Moby Dick, etc. by age 10. Although I don't read nearly as much as I would like (or should) any longer, the foundation that it provided me early in life has been an immeasurable asset in everything I've done, both professionally and personally. I've had The Great Books collection from Britannica for 30 years and read various ones, but thinking I may go back and start at the beginning and read through them all in sequence. Thanks for the inspiration!

[davewhite]

Glad I found your channel, it gives me hope that reading these books will be trendy and thy can start influencing society again. I try to promote the classics in my barber shop.

[EnglishLanguageArtsPlus]

Rob,

This week I launched a series on my channel called "Books You Should Read." The inaugural book? Adler and Van Doren's How to Read. Beyond that coincidence, we both took time in our video treatment of this great book to extol the virtues of the Western canon.

For anyone reading this comment, please do yourself a favor and study How to Read a Book. It may very well be the most important book you'll ever read because it unlocks the ability to read with understanding and that is necessary if you want to truly read the books of the Great Conversation here with Rob.

Brian (ELA+)

[mikecook_author]

Ralston College is a perfect sponsor for your Harvard Classics (and other classic books) channel. Great Adler quote: “playing with words… not thoughts and knowledge”

[The_Cause]

You can also just simply read for enjoyment. Reading intensely at all times can get demanding for most of us. For an even more demanding level of reading... you can check out Ralston College below and learn to read in Greek. Now that sounds intense. Check it out below.

[RobPirieCedarOtaCoffee]

One thing you and Adler both missed is the concept of coffee. Never underestimate the effects of a good cup of Joe on your reading. Other than that, good video Rob.