Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had Book

I've just finished this on the heels of Mortimer Adler's classic work, "How to Read a Book". Bauer's take on Adler is written for the remedial students who flunked the Adler. For instance, she doesn't casually gloss over the mechanics of reading a book, unlike Adler who assumed that people knew to move your eyes across and down the page. Bauer makes no such assumptions.

Bauer makes shockingly few references to Adler (only one comes to mind) which seems disrespectful given that she co-opted his work but if you don't mind that...

And you don't mind corny jokes...

It's a good book. In no way does it replace the Adler but, let's face it, most of us are remedial students when it comes to serious reading of substantive materials. There's nothing wrong with letting Bauer hold your hand through the first few books. The directions for outlining are explicit and exhaustive. In fact, they are so exhaustive that I failed in my reading of "Don Quixote" back when I tried to read the Bauer before I'd read the Adler. Big mistake. Where Bauer has you taking notes after each chapter, Adler has you read through once without stopping to do some outlining. That worked for me. However, for the second stage and third stages of reading I liked having Bauer's directives.

If you're serious about self-education you should read both of these. If you can only read one and you don't mind a little challenge, read the Adler. If you can only read one and you're not sure you're ready for the big leagues, read the Bauer.

Although, if you've already defaulted to the Bauer just forget the whole thing because you aren't really serious about this anyway. Just read both. Seriously. What the hell else are you doing? TV will still be there if it turns out that books just aren't your jam. I promise.

Was that rude? That was rude. Sorry.

For real, this isn't a bad book but try to read the Adler first. Or also. Otherwise you're just not getting the complete picture. And in all sincerity, if you only read one, read the Adler.