How to read a book

Part one. The dimensions of reading. The activity and art of reading

The levels of reading

The first level of reading: elementary reading

The second level of reading: inspectional reading

How to be a demanding reader

Part two. The third level of reading: analytical reading. Pigeonholing a book

X-raying a book

Coming to terms with an author

Determining an author's message

Criticizing a book fairly

Agreeing or disagreeing with an author

Aids to reading

Part three. Approaches to different kinds of reading matter. How to read practical books

How to read imaginative literature

Suggestions for reading stories, plays, and poems

How to read history

How to read science and mathematics

How to read philosophy

How to read social science

Part four. The ultimate goals of reading. The fourth level of reading: syntopical reading

Reading and the growth of the mind