Speed Reading: Third Edition (Plume) (Paperback)

by Tony Buzan (Author)
Key Phrases: wpm faster, knowledge file, reading efficiency, True False, Mind Map, Right Percentage (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The newly revised and updated edition of the classic book on improving reading speed and comprehension. Buzan offers a flexible approach to reading, combining traditional information on speed reading with the latest discoveries about the potential and workings of the brain.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 3 edition (January 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452266041
• ISBN-13: 978-0452266049
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #203,351 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars dissapointing and uninformative, March 9, 2005

By	Albert L. Berriz "gentho" (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

To begin, I think that it's important to note that Tony Buzan does not specialize in teaching Speed Reading. From what I can tell, he specializes in a technique he's coined called "Mind Mapping" which can be found in his other books: "Use Both Sides of Your Brain" and "Make the Most of Your Mind." I think that these two books are a far better use of Buzan's knowledge, as they represent areas in which he focuses the majority of his time to.

Basically, I think that this book is a decent introduction to speed reading, nothing special. You can aquire the same basic knowledge from any other speed reading books that are out there. Though the book seems to boast some sort of revolutionary approach to speed reading...don't be fooled, there is nothing revolutionary about this book. The most valuable thing about this book is that it points out the major problems that most readers have--and these problems are easily overcome, and you can improve your speed by fixing these problems:

1) Subvocalizing: mouthing words outloud or silently while you read
2) Regressing: constantly going back and re-reading material
3) Lack of concentration & interest
4) Unorganized Approach to reading: not having a set of concrete questions about the text before diving into it.

Of course, these are in no way innovative ideas in the field of speed reading.

It is very dissapointing that most of the book is dedicated to things other than speed reading, like how to take notes (Mind Mapping), vocabulary, and random passages about history/music/art..ect. Buzan 'beats around the bush' throughout the book, never really giving distinct instruction on how to reach these insane speeds he speaks of in the riviting introduction. This is not Buzan at his best..and there is certainly no "general education" being given here (not that you want one from Buzan anyway), despite claims to the contrary!

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book if you want to improve your reading speed, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

I am just about half way through the book and have already double my reading speed without much difficulty while increasing my comprehension. I was a 248 words a minute reader with 66% comprehension. Now half way through and am reading 550 words a minute with 85% comprehension. The book guides you through with plenty of exercises and checks throughout with a chart to map your progress. But a word of warning: Don't just think that you can start reading 2000 words a minute just by reading this book. You do have to practice and actively push yourself to break your own barriers. If you are serious about improving yourself and willing to put in some work and practice then buy this book. There are so many crappy books out there purporting to increase your reading speed, usually only doubling your current speed (normal readers read at about 200 to 300 wpm) but Buzan promises to take you up to 2000 wpm!! But remember, you still have to work at it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Confidence Tricks, December 22, 2004

By	Victor (UK) - See all my reviews

A this book is a horrendous confusion of second hand opinion on reading rate. As with good learning ability, the more strategies and accurate knowledge you have about reading, the better you will become. However, this book twists pseudoscience and misleads the reader at almost every turn.

The term reading, involves at least 5 seperate rates which have different goals (Memorising, learning, Rauding(normal reading rate for good comprehension), skimming, and scanning). The author uses only the word "reading" to account for all of them. He claims that you can read at a breakneck speed with full comprehension. However, even an inexperienced reader would class that as skimming, and reasonably expect a severely reduced comprehension level. Reading research (and common sense) will back this up.

Skimming is useful at sometimes, when comprehension is not important. However, the author seems to be encouraging the blanket application of skimming, thereby training possibly the worst kind of reading habit possible: Single track ignorance.

The exercises and tests given are not reading comprehension tests. They are a combibation of skimming and general knowledge tests. A very cheap confidence trick.

Find a good book on reading skills, and some good books you like reading.
Victor