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 -- Appendix A. A recommended reading list -- Appendix B. Exercises and tests at the four levels.