36 pages • 1 hour read
Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van DorenHow to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1940A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Key Figures
Mortimer J. Adler
Mortimer J. Adler (1902-2001) was an American scholar, philosopher, and author. Adler was born in New York City in 1902 and educated at Columbia University, where he later earned a doctorate in psychology. He served as chairman of the Board of Editors at Encyclopedia Britannica and founded the Institute for Philosophical Research and the Great Books Foundation. He was a prolific author who wrote many popular bestsellers—with How to Read a Book: The Art of Getting a Liberal Education being published in 1940 to critical and popular acclaim. In 1972, along with editor Charles Van Doren, Adler wrote a heavily revised edition of the book titled How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading.
Charles Van Doren
Charles Van Doren (1926-2019) was an American editor and author. Van Doren was born in New York City in 1926 and educated at St. John’s College, Columbia University, and the University of Cambridge. In 1956, Van Doren appeared on the quiz show Twenty-One for the first time. After numerous wins, he became a national celebrity and television news personality. It was later revealed through an investigation and Congressional hearing that Twenty-One had been rigged—with Van Doren and others having been fed correct answers.
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