Not Just How To Read A Book
I have read some pretty dry books in all my years of college, seminary and beyond. I remember one from an Old Testament survey class where the first chapter was entitled “An Introduction To Introductions”. It took me a week to read one chapter because of the dryness, and moribund nature of the book. I struggled to read the book and it showed in my tests, at the end of the class when we had to fill out our evaluations of the class I mad sure to point out the text as completely useless. I feared “How To Read A Book” was going to be the same type of situation. In retrospect, if I had this book before I went to college or seminary, I feel I would have probably been able to read my Old Testament book much more effectively.
In reading this book there were many things I knew but have not put into practice. Particularly the section on How to Make a Book Your Own. This section on marking a book has a great reason, “Marking a book is literally an expression of your differences or your agreements with the author. It is the highest respect you can pay him”.[1] I have never thought of marking a book as a compliment, but in a way, you’re looking at what has been written, and seeing importance in it. In that way you are paying the author enormous respect. What they have written is important to you and what you are studying. Obviously there are different levels of importance. Is it important for a test? Is it important for a job, or like scripture is it important for life? I had a friend once tell me “If your Bible is not covered in markings then none of it matters to you.”[2] I never really understood his passion about that. If you look in my Bible, you will find no markings. I have a hard time putting any marks or bended pages, or even breaking the spine on any of my books. I have a deep appreciation for the written word and it bothers me to see a book marked. On that note, Jason Paul Clark’s discussion on the relative unimportance of a book, I will be honest, made my insides cringe. Not to say I don’t understand and realize the need for the discussion, I understand it would be impossible for me to read everything in every book we will be asked to read, but it was hard to hear.
The chapter on Inspectional reading was extremely helpful. If I am going to come to grips with reading at a different level than I am used to, this section was the place to start. Reading the preface, stated the table of contents, going over the index, reading the publisher’s blurb, looking at pivotal chapters, then reading several paragraphs or pages in sequence[3], these exercises give a start, if not a generous overview of the reading. They can help you to decide what are the most important parts of the book, and can help in gaining a clue as to what is going to be worth reading. They go on to delve into superficial reading or reading straight through without stopping to think about what is read. The entire chapter was dedicated to taking a step in understanding what you will read.
While all of the above is good, what was helpful to see was the outline of analytical reading. While reading through the different stages something kept pricking my head. It was not until I came to the chapter on Agreeing or Disagreeing With an Author that it hit me. Not only was this a great outline on how to interact with al book, but it was a great way to interact with someone you may have a disagreement with, not only from a surface level point of view but also from an in depth theological difference. While in South Africa I was confronted with things that deep in my core beliefs I disagreed with in every way. It does not matter what they were, but they where there. In reading this chapter I found myself looking at a way I can have a discourse with someone, whether I agree with them or not, and have a civil discussion where I really listened to what they had to say. This was an epiphany for me. I have always been a “bull in a china shop” in my dealings with people. I am not sure where it came from but it is who I have always been. In looking at the stages of analytical reading I found my voice but in a much more humble and softer tone. If I learn to define the problem trying to be solved I am better for it, if I grasp the propositions of those I disagree with I see where they come from. If I can learn that not all problems are solved by my way of thinking, or theirs, maybe we can come together in a middle ground. If I learn not to criticize before I have interpreted what they have said or until I completely understand their point of view, we have civil discourse. I have to learn not to be contentious. I have to be able to recognize the difference between knowledge and opinion, and if I cannot show where the other is wrong, or misinformed or illogical then I have to consider their argument as a valid argument. If I am however able to listen, discern and show where there is misinformation, then I have a right to present my point of view. As in a book, I cannot hammer a book as boring, dry, or monotonous unless I can show why that is the case[4]
This book scared me when I picked it up. I did not think it would be worth my time or effort to read. I am glad I was wrong. I am glad to have read this book and gained some insight not only to reading but in how I deal with others God puts in my life that I may disagree with.
[1] Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, “How To Read A Book”, 49
[2] Direct quote from Don S. Staton
[3] Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, “How To Read A Book”, 32-35.
[4] Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, “How To Read A Book”, 152-167.
About the Author
Jason Turbeville
A pastor, husband and father who loves to be around others. These are the things that describe me. I was a youth minister for 15 years but God changed the calling on my life. I love to travel and see where God takes me in my life.9 responses to “Not Just How To Read A Book”
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Hi Jason!
You are just a big teddy bear, my Brother.
As I was reading your post for some reason the thought came to me that readers of the Bible, like you and me, who mark up the pages, are probably reading at a couple of different levels without even knowing it. Like my wife, who does Bible Study Fellowship, or other ladies in my church who do inductive Bible reading, I think many of us are jumping from level to level intuitively.
Kinda cool, me thinks.
Jay
Jay,
I am lucky to have you in my group. Keep pushing me and I will keep at you brother hope all is well praying for you!
Jason,
I really appreciated your post and your observations about how we can learn to dialogue with others with whom we disagree. I’m sure that will be an ongoing feature of our course of study, so it’s good for us to learn now to accept the diversity and not be threatened by diverging opinions.
By the way, you have already modeled this for us. I thought your comments made at the Presbyterian Church on the Monday of the Advance were courageous and vulnerable, and I’m proud to be your friend.
Mark,
I really appreciate you and your friendship as well. My time spent getting to know you was worth the trip. You are a good man of God and I look forward to seeing how God uses you in our lives.
Jason
Wow! That you found personal application for this book in addition to the help it provided in reading better is amazing. I don’t think I would have ever thought to make that leap. Your insightfulness and openness to apply aspects of learning to all parts of your life defines who you are……a man with a deep desire to continue to grow and reflect an image of Jesus to all who meet you. I am humbled by your insights.
BTW – get a nice picture of yourself to add to your profile. Not that we could ever forget what you look like.
Dan,
Thanks for the comment. Your spirit is amazing. I don’t know many guys who are as kind as you, (trekking along with the slow guy is a beating I know). I hope all is going well…btw how do you change your pic. I am at a loss.
Jason
Hi Jason!
Great post! I want you to know I did not experience you as a “bull in a china shop”. I see you as a good listener, and respectful responder. Most importantly I saw you sharing unconditional positive regard with all people we interfaced with. I’m glad you found professional and personal application to this text. It certainly wasn’t joyful reading, but important reading!
I enjoyed our time together in Cape Town! I hope your reunion with your wife was great!
Jason,
When you described marking up a book, I felt a little sad. I remember what that was like, but it has been 10 years since I used a paper book for classes.
When I started my MA in Leadership in the US I bought books online and shipped them to my home. After going to the mission field and living in a variety of countries, I have had to adapt to the electronic media sources for all my course books and library research. As a global traveler, into some pretty tough places, I have to travel light. So, enjoy marking your books. I will make electronic highlights, digital notes, and use the snipping tool to capture what I need from my gooks. They do not weigh anything, and easy to store. My library can fit onto a thumb drive and I carry it in my pocket.
I think you will still be a “bull”, that is just how God made you. You can do a lot in 8 seconds!
Stand firm,
M. Webb
Hey Jason! Hope you are doing well my brother. I joined the others in praying for your tough conversation last week and I’m sure you did great. You have a real genuine pastor’s heart, and it was great getting to know you in Cape Town. Looking forward to this journey together. Thanks for your post as well. I appreciated your vulnerability around your internal wrestlings and experiences on the trip. I also agree that the analytical section of Adler’s book is super helpful. Talk to you in the morning!