Speed Reading the Easy Way (Barron's E-Z) [Paperback]

Howard S. Berg (Author), Marcus A. Conyers (Author), Howard Stephen Berg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0812098528 | ISBN-13: 978-0812098525

A recognized speed-reading expert presents a self-teaching course that truly makes speed reading easy to master. An opening chapter takes the reader through the mechanics of speed reading, starting with a diagnostic test to measure reading speed, then demonstrating hand motions and methods of expanding one's visual field. Subsequent chapters clarify the connection between reading mechanics and psychology, offer methods for accelerating memory power, and coach the reader in correct techniques for studying. Final chapters consider the varied approaches to speed reading different kinds of material, from fiction through advanced physical science texts and the intricate details of accounting books. The book concludes with several standardized reading tests.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812098528
• ISBN-13: 978-0812098525
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Much Here, May 18, 2000

By 

John Noodles (A Field in ND, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speed Reading the Easy Way (Barron's E-Z) (Paperback)

Save your money. More than half of this book consists of "practice" texts--and, of course, you can practice on any book you happen to be reading.

There are a *few* useful exercises, which include reading two lines at once, then 5, then whole paragraphs, then whole pages. You can't read like this for comprehension; the authors have you do it to get used to scanning segments of text at once , rather than single words. Another exercise has you read for one minute for comprehension, another minute at double that speed, and another minute at triple. These exercises DO help, but as far as speed reading instruction goes, that's it. Really.

There is also some very basic instruction on memory-enhancement techniques, nutrition, posture, previewing texts, and so forth--standard stuff.

In short, this book is a waste of money. Tony Buzan's book "Speed Reading" is far better. Some of the older speed reading books offer far more in the way practical instruction than this book does. "Double Your Reading Speed," published in 1964 by The Reading Laboratory, comes to mind.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Eh..., September 17, 2005

By 

Lauren Smith "Music/Psych Student" (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speed Reading the Easy Way (Barron's E-Z) (Paperback)

This book really didn't accomplish what it set out to do. It started off with the claim that the reader will not only read faster, but that reading comprehension will increase. The only real speed reading excercises are for viewing (not reading, as the book says) large chunks of text quickly. But it ends there. There are no tips about comprehending material while viewing it quickly. There are tips for memory retention and classic conditiong for relaxation (both of which you can find in an Intro to Psych class), as well as smart ways of how to read texts (look at charts, topic sentences, etc...), but nothing about understanding the chunks of text we are "viewing" quickly. I admit that after doing these dizzying excercises, my regular reading for comprehension increased in speed a little bit. However, it is still not up to the rate I would consider "speed reading."

Final Verdict: If you really want it, check it out at the library or buy it used. But look for a better book first.

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, October 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Speed Reading the Easy Way (Barron's E-Z) (Paperback)

This book is a real disappointment. There's very little actual helpful material to improve your reading speed. Moreover, it hardly covers sub-vocalization, which is a mayor factor inhibiting your readingspeed. The hand exercises are silly and will not increase your speed. A large and useless part of the book only covers texts for practising, like you can't practise on any other texts... Buy another book.