Smart Reading

by Russell Stauffer, Marcia Reynolds (Narrator)

Have you ever wondered how some people can skim through a book in minutes, pick up dozens of facts and ideas, and recall them with pinpoint accuracy, even months or years later? With  Smart Reading , you won't need to wonder any more. In just 2 hours, you'll learn the same powerful skills used by top achievers in the CIA, NASA, Army, Navy, and executives in over 400 of the Fortune 500.

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Michelle (driftingsong) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's because I teach elementary school reading, but the initial part of this book (the part that wasn't about pacing) is honestly what I teach my elementary school kids on a smaller scale in "reader's workshop" as once you are in upper primary you are in a state of reading to learn (or reading for enjoyment :) ) I mean I did find it curious that these tips would be written in a book for adults (but it also made sense) but none of that information was new to me as I literally teach it. I haven't tried the pacing part yet, but I am excited to try it out to see if I can up my reading speed!

[Andix · Rating 3 out of 5]

- the technique is useful for non-fiction materials
- an agitated mind rejects new information + physical activity increases memory
- combines superficial browsing through the content with focused reading because 90% information is present in 10% the text
- survey: swift the information, read the covers, the content, the introduction, chose the chapters you need
- ask questions: when, where, why, who, what, how; they focus the mind in one place; you don't have to read every word in the material
- skim the text: the main idea is usually in the subtitle or in the first 2 paragraphs; search for link words (but, additionally...); underline the main information
- study reading: read carefully only the parts with relevant content; rephrase the ideas in your own words; try to speculate about what's coming next; activate the critical thinking; make associations with what you already know
- ask critical questions: what the author wants me to think, what's his opinion; search for hidden agenda
- make decisions: formulate conclusions based on what you already know; read other opinions; have a conversation with the writer in the head
- summarizing+reviewing: write a few notes about what you want to keep from the text and review them for one week; include the new ideas in the everyday day life

[Srinadh · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a good book to listen to.
It's really useful if you want to improve your reading skills.

If you are a person like me, struggling to read fast then this book would be the best choice.

[Stéphane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bien en général mais beaucoup de choses qui sont juste du gros bon sens. Par exemple, l'auteur propose de choisir un endroit tranquille, confortable, bien éclairé, ... pour permettre une meilleur compréhension de la lecture que vous faites, de ne pas lire pendant 2 heures sans arrêt : faire des pauses, ...

Cependant, c'est le genre de livre que les ados et les jeunes adultes devraient au moins lire une fois car il ne faut pas se fier sur nos écoles pour apprendre à nos jeunes comment bien lire (je parle compréhension, pas de grammaire).