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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Speed Reading
On your marks, get set, read!
Most adults today are working with antiquated skills and ingrained beliefs about their reading abilities, or lack thereof. But with the tips and examples offered in The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Speed Reading, getting through a load of must-do reading doesn’t have to be an arduous or overwhelming chore. The strategies are surprisingly simple once revealed. With practice, readers will not only speed through and understand books, articles, and professional journals but will also build their personal reading confidence and competence.
• Written by a reading specialist
• Useful for students, business people, lawyers, doctors
• Includes how-to strategies as well as practice timed readings
• Tips for reading on paper and onscreen
Most adults today are working with antiquated skills and ingrained beliefs about their reading abilities, or lack thereof. But with the tips and examples offered in The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Speed Reading, getting through a load of must-do reading doesn’t have to be an arduous or overwhelming chore. The strategies are surprisingly simple once revealed. With practice, readers will not only speed through and understand books, articles, and professional journals but will also build their personal reading confidence and competence.
• Written by a reading specialist
• Useful for students, business people, lawyers, doctors
• Includes how-to strategies as well as practice timed readings
• Tips for reading on paper and onscreen
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2008
51 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 20, 2019
I reviewed this book and Super reading secrets together in one post on my blog! Check it out here
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
August 7, 2011
I'm afraid I didn't manage to get this book completely finished before having to return it to the library (the book didn't work for me!).
However, it was quite an interesting read, and I've given it three stars, since I feel it will probably help some who really wish to increase their reading speed.
An initial chapter includes a description of various finger methods to use to help you to read faster. Although I've never regarded myself as an idiot, my intelligence is apparently lower than idiot level (though I understand idiots have an IQ of 0-20), since I failed to comprehend what was involved in some of the methods - I just couldn't grasp it. But I'm sure all you others will be able to.
Most of the passages at the end of the book for test purposes I found extremely boring, and when I attempted to speed-read these I had from 0-10% comprehension, or at least retention, as far as I could judge. Though the author does inform us that if we continue to speed-read, eventually we will end by focussing to such an extent that we will eventually gain more comprehension than we usually have even when reading slowly. But I didn't get that far, unfortunately.
I DID find out:
1) that the books I read are in general books I really want to read and that I find interesting (as far as the present book is concerned to a slightly lesser extent) and that I don't really want to read these books any faster than I do, since I also really want to understand them and retain some memory of what I've read.
2) that when I occasionally read works of fiction I do actually read quite fast - this happens automatically.
For those who sometimes have to read material they don't really find interesting, for example, students, who are obliged to take boring courses, or businessmen having to read dull reports, I feel that with a bit of application these persons could probably increase their reading speed considerably with the help of this book. But that is just a conjecture.
To revert to the finger (and also hand) methods of increasing speed, the author presents various of these, too many as far as I was concerned. I got bored trying them all, and I PERSONALLY didn't find any of them helpful. I find it best just to command my eyes to read faster without help from my fingers. But we are all different.
The author informs us that the key to achieving faster reading rates is "learning to spread your peripheral vision". We are introduced to "eye warm-ups" and special techniques such as looking for keywords and reading in "thought chunks". I PERSONALLY found that this slowed down my reading considerably as I had to think about what "thought chunks" were not to mention locating them.
There's a chapter about skimming, scanning and skipping. The author is correct when she states that some of us feel obliged to read everythig, when there's no need to. I too have that problem. But in the case of this book I took her at her word and skipped the 2 or 3 final chapters, which, as I stated above, I didn't have time to read anyway.
Apart from the obscure explanations about finger methods, the book was well-written and easy to read. It is probably worth reading for those really committed to increasing their reading speed.
However, it was quite an interesting read, and I've given it three stars, since I feel it will probably help some who really wish to increase their reading speed.
An initial chapter includes a description of various finger methods to use to help you to read faster. Although I've never regarded myself as an idiot, my intelligence is apparently lower than idiot level (though I understand idiots have an IQ of 0-20), since I failed to comprehend what was involved in some of the methods - I just couldn't grasp it. But I'm sure all you others will be able to.
Most of the passages at the end of the book for test purposes I found extremely boring, and when I attempted to speed-read these I had from 0-10% comprehension, or at least retention, as far as I could judge. Though the author does inform us that if we continue to speed-read, eventually we will end by focussing to such an extent that we will eventually gain more comprehension than we usually have even when reading slowly. But I didn't get that far, unfortunately.
I DID find out:
1) that the books I read are in general books I really want to read and that I find interesting (as far as the present book is concerned to a slightly lesser extent) and that I don't really want to read these books any faster than I do, since I also really want to understand them and retain some memory of what I've read.
2) that when I occasionally read works of fiction I do actually read quite fast - this happens automatically.
For those who sometimes have to read material they don't really find interesting, for example, students, who are obliged to take boring courses, or businessmen having to read dull reports, I feel that with a bit of application these persons could probably increase their reading speed considerably with the help of this book. But that is just a conjecture.
To revert to the finger (and also hand) methods of increasing speed, the author presents various of these, too many as far as I was concerned. I got bored trying them all, and I PERSONALLY didn't find any of them helpful. I find it best just to command my eyes to read faster without help from my fingers. But we are all different.
The author informs us that the key to achieving faster reading rates is "learning to spread your peripheral vision". We are introduced to "eye warm-ups" and special techniques such as looking for keywords and reading in "thought chunks". I PERSONALLY found that this slowed down my reading considerably as I had to think about what "thought chunks" were not to mention locating them.
There's a chapter about skimming, scanning and skipping. The author is correct when she states that some of us feel obliged to read everythig, when there's no need to. I too have that problem. But in the case of this book I took her at her word and skipped the 2 or 3 final chapters, which, as I stated above, I didn't have time to read anyway.
Apart from the obscure explanations about finger methods, the book was well-written and easy to read. It is probably worth reading for those really committed to increasing their reading speed.
August 10, 2013
This book goes over a lot of different techniques for reading faster which is great, but also spends a lot of time discussing how to skip words and paragraphs you feel you don't. That is fine, I suppose. But it felt like a massive addon to the specific topic: READING faster. Reading and not simply getting out bits and pieces. Though it is surely useful information and has helped me break the habit of reading every word. But can I say I've truly read a book if I just skim for the meat? I don't feel that is accurate. Otherwise I could claim to have 'read' those novels in high school that I truly just scanned for information. If there were a book to put it in. it would be this one.
Overall, well organized, well written, and full of everything you need to know on the topic and then some.
Edit: Oh! I suppose I should say that this book did indeed work for me. However, I have also read another book about speed reading, so I had already been introduced to a lot of the techniques. What this book did help m overcome, was my aversion to skipping bits of information that I absolutely knew I didn't need as well as not reading every word. I had felt guilty even having that cross my mind before.
This is book is also going for those who have TOO much to read on their plate and cannot get through it. I know that's a little unexpected in a Speed Reading book (as is the skimming or skipping) but it would be extremely helpful for those who just have too much material to get through.
Overall, well organized, well written, and full of everything you need to know on the topic and then some.
Edit: Oh! I suppose I should say that this book did indeed work for me. However, I have also read another book about speed reading, so I had already been introduced to a lot of the techniques. What this book did help m overcome, was my aversion to skipping bits of information that I absolutely knew I didn't need as well as not reading every word. I had felt guilty even having that cross my mind before.
This is book is also going for those who have TOO much to read on their plate and cannot get through it. I know that's a little unexpected in a Speed Reading book (as is the skimming or skipping) but it would be extremely helpful for those who just have too much material to get through.
May 28, 2020
Some good tips to improve your reading speed. I think the beginning of the book are more useful than the end chapters that are a little bit boring and not of so much interest.
January 31, 2016
First time I read this book I learned to use the pacer and not to regress as well as to trust myself.
I went back this year as I'd like to remember these ideas and hope that it would help me improve my reading. I learned to continue using the ps rr and the important topics of Chunking and seeking out important words. Also looking for outlines in magazine articles and reading only the first sentence of paragraphs in newspapers.
The book is a bit outdated as there are sections for Ebooks and Ebook readers, emails ... Well anything technology related.
I don't expect myself to read 1000 wpm but it did improve my speed over the course of reading it as I was applying some of he principles here.
Overall I find that I get faster at reading as I continue to go through books. I'm sure there's a top speed where I'm reading with speed and comprehension but there's work to be put in
Overall a 3 or 4 would be appropriate.
I went back this year as I'd like to remember these ideas and hope that it would help me improve my reading. I learned to continue using the ps rr and the important topics of Chunking and seeking out important words. Also looking for outlines in magazine articles and reading only the first sentence of paragraphs in newspapers.
The book is a bit outdated as there are sections for Ebooks and Ebook readers, emails ... Well anything technology related.
I don't expect myself to read 1000 wpm but it did improve my speed over the course of reading it as I was applying some of he principles here.
Overall I find that I get faster at reading as I continue to go through books. I'm sure there's a top speed where I'm reading with speed and comprehension but there's work to be put in
Overall a 3 or 4 would be appropriate.
October 29, 2012
I would love to be able to read much faster than I currently do (about 375 words per minute). There are just so many books to read and so little time! This was a very good book, probably the best of the three I have recently read about speed reading. Good info and exercises for increasing reading/comprehension speed.
December 20, 2017
I read this thing cover to cover and did all of the practice sets recommended and I truly believe it helped my reading speed. I also learned a LOT that I didn't know before about different reading styles and WHEN to slow down and when to speed up your reading. It's really a helpful book if you're just looking to learn about this.
September 3, 2012
An interesting book. Included a lot of info on how to employ speed reading for a variety of media. I didn't need all of it as some things I do already or weren't relevant to me. I did notice my reading speed has increased by using the strategies in this book.
April 14, 2011
I wanted to read more books, but this was an entire waste of a book to be created about....
April 14, 2011
Isn't this just another version of the other books? why 19 reviews then?
October 26, 2014
quick read lol
May 29, 2021
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Speed Reading by Abby Marks Beale, Penguin, 2008, 212 pages
I have to admit that I have a fascination with the subject of speed reading. This originated in college when I first realized how much faster everyone else could get through reading assignments. Originally, I took solace in the idea that I would remember much more than my classmates, I just wish my grades would have borne that out! Over the years I have bought perhaps a dozen books in a quest to pick up the pace of my reading. I even sent off for the tapes (and yes that’s cassette tapes) produced by the World’s Fastest Reader, Howard Berg. The bottom line is that I have improved my speed, just not to the level the speed reading advocates say is possible.
Now to this particular book. I have to say that it has a catchy title! It doesn’t brake any new ground, I didn’t find that elusive key that would unlock the mystery of speed reading for me. Still, of the books I have read on this subject I would have to say that this one is perhaps the most logically laid out. The author is good about telling what she is going to tell you, telling you, and then telling you what she has told you! There are frequent summaries and definitions of unfamiliar terms. One benefit of this book that I have not seen in other volumes are the inclusion of reading tests to measure how you are doing. An appreciated absence are stories about folks going from 200 wpm to 2000 wpm by simply applying the techniques taught. Those stories can be inspirational, but when you fail to achieve them they have the opposite effect.
I have to admit that I have a fascination with the subject of speed reading. This originated in college when I first realized how much faster everyone else could get through reading assignments. Originally, I took solace in the idea that I would remember much more than my classmates, I just wish my grades would have borne that out! Over the years I have bought perhaps a dozen books in a quest to pick up the pace of my reading. I even sent off for the tapes (and yes that’s cassette tapes) produced by the World’s Fastest Reader, Howard Berg. The bottom line is that I have improved my speed, just not to the level the speed reading advocates say is possible.
Now to this particular book. I have to say that it has a catchy title! It doesn’t brake any new ground, I didn’t find that elusive key that would unlock the mystery of speed reading for me. Still, of the books I have read on this subject I would have to say that this one is perhaps the most logically laid out. The author is good about telling what she is going to tell you, telling you, and then telling you what she has told you! There are frequent summaries and definitions of unfamiliar terms. One benefit of this book that I have not seen in other volumes are the inclusion of reading tests to measure how you are doing. An appreciated absence are stories about folks going from 200 wpm to 2000 wpm by simply applying the techniques taught. Those stories can be inspirational, but when you fail to achieve them they have the opposite effect.
March 9, 2020
There are some great tips about comprehension and pushing yourself. I find myself still using the exercises sometimes, and It's definitely helped me read faster.
September 15, 2021
Interesting. It had a lot of great suggestions and strategies.
June 21, 2022
Idiot to Clever
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2010
Okay - so I am figuring out that I really like self-help books. I don't know why, I guess part of it is that I like learning things just as much as I like reading a good novel.
So I thought since my "to read" shelf was almost as big my "read" shelf that I should seek to improve my reading skills. I've always been a slow, yet thoughtful reader. So far I am really liking this book and it is really making a difference on my reading speed.
So I thought since my "to read" shelf was almost as big my "read" shelf that I should seek to improve my reading skills. I've always been a slow, yet thoughtful reader. So far I am really liking this book and it is really making a difference on my reading speed.
March 8, 2009
Reading, to me, is so much more than speed and volume; it is a sensory experience. The comfortable chair/sofa; the warm mug of coffee/tea; the purring cat in the lap; the weight of the book; the feel the pages; all culminate in the joy of reading. I concur with the Chicago Public Library's motto - "Books, Cats, Life is Good."
That said, there are some good tips on speed and concentration that might be helpful when reading professional journals or news/magazine articles.
That said, there are some good tips on speed and concentration that might be helpful when reading professional journals or news/magazine articles.
September 6, 2012
Use a guide to make your eyes move faster and be hesistant to go backwards
Use a card to push down the words and read down
Ideal width for speed reading is 6-8 words per page (12 point sans serif (arial) font)
Use your peripheral vision to pick up words without going over them
Trust your brain and don't go back over what you read
Push your speed to practice getting used to absorbing more info
Write down what you remember or need to remember after you read
Use a card to push down the words and read down
Ideal width for speed reading is 6-8 words per page (12 point sans serif (arial) font)
Use your peripheral vision to pick up words without going over them
Trust your brain and don't go back over what you read
Push your speed to practice getting used to absorbing more info
Write down what you remember or need to remember after you read
Read
June 3, 2010One of the best books -- essential for the 21st century where we deal with massive amounts of print knowledge on a daily basis. It's become the way we live, eat, and interact with each other. This book gives tools, tips, and tricks on how to increase your reading speed and still retain what you read!
November 26, 2011
This is not my first attempt to master speed reading. I find that reading 800 words per minutes is very amazing. But somehow I still have to figure out how. This book says nearly the same things as all the other speed reading books. In my opinion, it is enough for anyone of you just to buy one of them and learn the trick. What more important is however the doing part.
September 29, 2009
Good for what it is. It gave good overviews of techniques, but I don't think I had the tripling of my reading speed that the book claimed. I'm hoping that with practice I can get my speed above 1000 wpm, so the jury is still out on whether this book is effective or not.
Want to read
January 26, 2010I read part of some book about speed reading, and I think it helped me a little, but I didn't fully apply it / I couldn't stand it. Now I'm thinking I should try this again. I have so much to read, and so little time.
January 4, 2011
Very useful and practical book. I tried many of the excercises over time, and I found that my reading speed has increased. I used these techniques for reading work/business materials, not for my pleasure reading!
February 9, 2012
It was just...meh. I found out from the test that my reading pace was above average so that was interesting. After that I realised that watching paint dry would be more interesting than finishing this book.
June 9, 2012
Vraiment pertinent. Une mine d'or pour développer ses différentes vitesses de lectures. Permet de gagner beaucoup de temps et d'augmenter sa concentration. Devrait être lu par quiconque se dirige vers une carrière universitaire qui nécessite beaucoup de recherches et de lectures.
January 30, 2016
Standard speed reading fare with dubious efficacy.
Bonus points for the title: she says "idiot's guide" and she really means it - there is a chapter on how to rub your eyes correctly including a instructional photo.
Also, that is not a vulcan sign... but "sign of horns" or "metal salute".
Bonus points for the title: she says "idiot's guide" and she really means it - there is a chapter on how to rub your eyes correctly including a instructional photo.
Also, that is not a vulcan sign... but "sign of horns" or "metal salute".
February 10, 2020
Pleasantly surprised
This book was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Using my previous speed reading knowledge and the things she suggests in this book everything all the other speed reading "experts" always say, made complete sense.
This book was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Using my previous speed reading knowledge and the things she suggests in this book everything all the other speed reading "experts" always say, made complete sense.
July 22, 2009
It helped speed up my reading and comprehension! I feel more confident about my reading skills and recommend this book to everyone!
July 13, 2011
The only thing I gained from this book is hurting my eyes as I followed the authors instructions on how to read. Totally useless book. . .
August 31, 2012
You will learn something new from this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews