How to Read a Book

How to Read a Book
Company type	Book
Industry	Publishing
Founded	1940
Founder	Mortimer J. Adler
Headquarters	New York, United States
Products	Non-fiction book on reading and critical thinking

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article How to Read a Book, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 2025

How to Read a Book is a work authored by American philosopher Mortimer J. Adler, initially released in 1940 and significantly updated in 1972 with the collaboration of editor Charles Van Doren. The revised edition offers comprehensive guidance on critically engaging with important texts spanning diverse fields and genres such as poetry, history, science, and fiction. It also introduces methods like inspectional and syntopical reading.

Overview of the 1972 edition

The structure of How to Read a Book is divided into four main sections, each containing multiple chapters.

Part 1: The Dimensions of Reading

Adler presents his approach to understanding non-fiction by describing three levels of reading—"structural," "interpretative," and "critical"—which skilled readers can apply within a single reading session.

Structural stage: This first phase emphasizes identifying the book’s framework and objectives by recognizing its subject matter, classification (practical or theoretical), and academic discipline. Readers are encouraged to look beyond the table of contents to uncover the divisions and pinpoint the issues the author intends to address.

Interpretive stage: At this level, readers dissect the author’s reasoning by clarifying essential terms and statements, along with examining the evidence provided to support those claims.

Critical stage: Once the arguments are fully comprehended, readers assess the book’s credibility and value. Adler stresses that evaluation should be based on logical soundness, requiring intellectual integrity to only challenge works when flaws in reasoning, facts, or assumptions are evident, while personal preferences may remain subjective.

Part 2: The Third Level of Reading: Analytical Reading

In this section, Adler defines the intended readership, categorizes types of reading, and elaborates on his primary focus. He champions the importance of the Great Books, asserting that original texts offer deeper understanding than secondary interpretations or instructors unfamiliar with firsthand discovery.

He identifies three forms of knowledge: practical, informational, and comprehensive. Practical knowledge arises from experience; informational knowledge depends on grasping an author’s purpose; comprehensive knowledge (insight) is best attained through direct engagement with original works. This forms the basis for his argument that the Great Books are vital intellectual and professional resources.

Adler critiques conventional education systems for neglecting to teach profound reading skills, even at higher education levels, insisting that individuals must cultivate these abilities independently. His objective is to equip readers with tools for genuine comprehension through reading.

Part 3: Approaches to Different Kinds of Reading Matter

Adler explores tailored techniques for engaging with various literary genres and advises prioritizing foundational texts before their derivatives—especially when studying the Great Books—to enhance contextual awareness and critical analysis.

Part 4: The Ultimate Goals of Reading

The concluding part introduces syntopical reading, a practice where readers expand their mastery by examining multiple books on a single topic (such as economics or leadership). Adler underscores how reading contributes to intellectual development and improves decision-making capabilities.

Reading list (1972 edition)

Appendix A presents an extensive compilation of essential works encompassing classics, philosophy, science, literature, and political theory. This selection constitutes a foundational curriculum aimed at fostering well-rounded intellectual growth, particularly valuable for executives and strategic planners. Distinguished figures featured include Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare, Newton, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant, Albert Einstein, and James Joyce. Engaging with these pivotal texts encourages the development of analytical skills and strategic understanding by exploring influential concepts that have shaped Western intellectual traditions and contemporary business frameworks.

Publication data

Mortimer Adler (1940), How to Read a Book: The Art of Getting a Liberal Education
- Published under the subtitle A Guide to Reading the Great Books, available at Đọc sách online, .
- Revised edition (1972), coauthored with Charles Van Doren, New York: Simon and Schuster. [1]