Well Educated Mind: Guide To The Classical Education by Susan Wise Bauer

The Well-Educated Mind is a guide to classical education for adult readers who want both enjoyment and self-improvement from their reading. The book offers brief, entertaining histories of five literary genres―fiction, autobiography, history, drama, and poetry―accompanied by detailed instructions on how to read each type.

Bauer takes the same elements and techniques used in classical education and adapts them to the use of adult readers. She champions the trivium approach to reading, which includes memorization and familiarization, critical thinking and analysis, and forming and expressing personal opinions about the accumulated facts.

The book introduces readers to five different literary forms and how to read them: novels, memoirs, history and politics, drama, and poetry. Each medium gets its own chapter and includes an annotated reading list, amounting to a (very) long to-read list of books from the Western tradition, in chronological order.

Useful takeaways:

• The trivium approach to reading: memorization and familiarization, critical thinking and analysis, and forming and expressing personal opinions about the accumulated facts.
• Introduction to five different literary forms and how to read them: novels, memoirs, history and politics, drama, and poetry.
• Annotated reading list of books from the Western tradition, in chronological order.
• Encouragement to take notes throughout the reading process to incorporate facts into your mental framework.
• Reading and engaging with books can shape the person you become.

What I Liked

Excellent educational resource for any parent looking to lead or supplement their kids’ education.

What I Did Not Like

Not a whole lot – excellent resource.

Well Educated Mind: Guide To The Classical Education by Susan Wise Bauer

$17.23

In The Well-Educated Mind, Susan Wise Bauer offers a roadmap for adults eager to enjoy reading while also enhancing their knowledge. The book breaks down five literary genres—fiction, autobiography, history, drama, and poetry—and provides practical tips on how to approach each one. I appreciated her focus on the trivium approach, which encourages memorization, critical thinking, and personal expression. The annotated reading list is a treasure trove for anyone wanting to dive deeper into classic literature. Overall, it’s an excellent resource, especially for parents wanting to enrich their kids' education. I really didn’t find much to critique!

Pros:

• Excellent educational resource for parents wanting to enhance their kids' education.
• Provides a clear guide to classical education for adult readers.
• Offers detailed instructions for reading various literary genres.
• Introduces the trivium approach to reading, promoting critical thinking.
• Includes an annotated reading list of significant works from the Western tradition.

Cons:

• Not a whole lot - excellent resource.

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01/14/2025 08:22 pm GMT