The Speed Reading Book: The Revolutionary Approach to Increasing Reading Speed, Comprehension and General Knowledge (Mind Set)

The first half of this book was quite useful in that it highlights problems with back skipping and other basic reading "problems".

What let this book down for me was the shameless self promotion of his Mind Mapping which he has trademarked.

I did not a book about Mind Mapping (or spider diagrams, to use its non-trademarked name) and therefore don't want to be cross-sold further mind mapping material

The claims about super-high speeds have not yet proved attainable and I have serious doubts about their attainability

That said I have improved my reading speeds as I was particulary slow

When I started the course, I was reading (and comprehending about 80%) at 240wpm. After just a week, I was reading at 700-800 wpm with about 60% comprehension. But many months later, and sticking to the techniques, I've managed to reach 1100wpm and getting closer to 90% retention.

The point is, you will invariably lose comprehension when you first learn speed reading, and you will feel like you're "skimming". But your eyes pick up a lot of peripheral data and this is absorbed in your brain, whether you realise it or not.

Speed reading is like a diet... you have to keep at it, and you have to stick to the requirements through thick and thin.

Highly recommended!

This book is full of outlandish and unsubstantiated claims about speed reading. It is padded with bad science, unreferenced information that is simply unbelievable and exhaustive descriptions of the mechanics of reading which seem to be more imagined than founded in any kind of research. Absolute fraudulant rubbish. Impractical and downright nonsensical techniques promising impossible results. It is not possible to read at 1000 wpm (let alone 25000 wpm!) without skimming. I just bought this book expecting something a bit more realistic with atleast some practical advice, a massive disapointment. A classic case of the emperor's new clothes I'm sorry to see some people have been duped, the author ought to be ashamed.

I read this book in conjunction with 'use your head' by the same author. Both books are excellent and are particularly useful if read together. As a result of reading this book my reading speed has more than doubled and I am more confident about my study skills.
The author writes in a positive, no-nonsense manner which instils confidence within the reader. Although the information/self-tests are geared towards improving speed and the information on improving levels of comprehension is comparatively sparse, the book is a 'must-have' for those who wish to improve one of the most important life-skills.

I increased my reading speed by 50% and also my comprehension. Like every good thing, you need to work at it.