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Reference.org
How to Read a Book
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<p><i>How to Read a Book</i> is a book by the American <a href="/facts/Philosopher/Hyvzc54m">philosopher</a> <a href="/facts/Mortimer_J._Adler/nvKEUUxH">Mortimer J. Adler</a>. Originally published in 1940, it was heavily revised for a 1972 edition, co-authored by Adler with editor <a href="/facts/Charles_Van_Doren/aAthFDfy">Charles Van Doren</a>. The 1972 revision gives guidelines for critically reading good and great books of any tradition. In addition, it deals with genres (including, but not limited to, <a href="/facts/Poetry/ylGarm6p">poetry</a>, <a href="/facts/History/bSKgXaCA">history</a>, <a href="/facts/Science/IJoaD7rs">science</a>, and <a href="/facts/Fiction/p1AY3Xp4">fiction</a>), as well as inspectional and syntopical reading. </p>