Frustration, ridicule and sarcasm have found their way into some of the commentary revolving around Mortimer Adler’s writings in How to Read a Book.  The theme of these comments can be summed up in the question, “Can’t I just read a book for pure enjoyment?”   Another Maureen O’Brien found my blog and writes “But for most readers, I think Mr. Adler's techniques would be a form of torture, both to the book and its reader.”  Having just completed several chapters enumerating the “15 Rules for Analytic Reading,” one does emerge exhausted at the thought of employing such rigor to all books.

Adler and Van Doren may have received similar feedback from their editors because the next section of the book immediately offers encouragement to the reader and a reminder that fiction and poetry do not require the scrutiny outlined in previous chapters.  This section is titled, “Approaches to Different Kinds of Reading Matter.”  Before addressing approaches to reading imaginative literature, Chapter #13 outlines how to read practical books.

Any book that contains rules – prescriptions, maxims, or any sort of general directions – you will readily recognize as a practical book.  Some practical books contain rules, supported by principles or theories to support the rule.  For example, a book about successful entrepreneurship may propose rules based on principles of capitalism, democracy and free markets.  Thus practical books are considered to fall into two main categories:

a)      a rule book presents only rules, like a cookbook  OR

b)      a principle book that generates rules:  most of the great books in economics, politics and morals are of this sort.

A practical book based on principles may be confused with a purely theoretical book.  Both assert beliefs, propositions and arguments.  A practical book, however, will solve an end problem or resolve an end need for knowledge and action.  The reader must first agree with the ends; the means are secondary.  Adler differentiates stating, “In judging a theoretical book, the reader must observe the identity of, or the discrepancy between, his own basic principles or assumptions and those of the author.”  In other words, a reader must first concern themselves with the means of a theoretical book. Thus, one judges a practical book and a theoretical book differently.

The two main questions to be answered when judging a practical book based on principles are:

1)      What are the author’s objectives?  AND

2)      What means for achieving them is he proposing?

Sometimes one must be a detective to ascertain the ends and means of a practical book.  They may be packaged with oratory, propaganda, appeals to the heart and logic and the bow may be tied with a play on your emotions.  Recognizing the extraneous and decorative rhetoric veiling the author’s arguments and end goals may be like a game of hide and seek at times.  But answering Adler’s proposed questions are necessary for understanding and criticism of a practical book.

When reviewing practical books and many homeschooling “HOW TO” books fall into this category, it is best to answer these questions:

1)      What is the book about?  You must know what the author wants to do and what he wants you to do.

2)      Discover and understand what the author suggests for achieving such goals.

3)      Do you agree?  Is it true or true in part?  Are the objectives well defined and the means to resolve them in accord with your own conception?

4)      What of it?  Making the smallest change in your actions means you learned something.  Agreement with a practical book does not REQUIRE action.

A personal example of this kind of book is Managers of Their Homes.  I agree with the end purpose of an organized homeschool day.  I found the propositions and arguments reasonable.  But I have not initiated any action.  I agree in theory, but not in temperament.  I believe many households thrive using the practical methods within this book, but it just didn’t “feel right” for our home.

In judging a practical book, initial efforts are focused on the ends or goals.  If you do not share in the end goal of classical education, for example, then you can reject any practical book which argues this end.  The principles and reasoning within the book may be perfectly sound, but the means the author uses to legitimize his position are irrelevant to you, if the end position is not in agreement with your own.

Accepting and rejecting a variety of books based on ends/goals is a quick method of reviewing practical books whether we are in the library, a book fair or a homeschool convention.  (Using this same basic premise, subconsciously, I chose NOT to read the DaVinci Code.)  Life experience refines the skills Adler describes in this chapter. 

I am happy to be moving on to more practical chapters concerning reading a variety of subject matter.  Adler has raised my awareness of an author’s intention to send a message.  It is my responsibility to understand the message, and know how to ask the right questions in order to interact with an author through the book. 

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