Introduction

According to scientists, the amount of information absorbed by the average person has increased fivefold over the past thirty years. Dr. Martin Gilbert of the University of Southern California conducted research that showed, about a hundred years ago, most people could read only 50 books in their entire life! However, along with the expansion of scientific disciplines, the increase in print products, the development of information technology, humanity gained access to an unlimited amount of information, which triggered a real brain race for leadership in the field of knowledge.

In the 21st century, operational perception and processing of material from the most diverse areas is a key factor for success.

Through reading, a person receives not only useful information, but also expands the vocabulary, develops a culture of speech. In the process of reading, the brain actively forms new neural connections, which contributes to an increase in the speed of thinking, an increase in the reaction rate and the formation of so-called “mainstream thinking” – the ability to capture the link between data from different areas to obtain effective conclusions.

We can safely say, that reading is a kind of training for the brain development. Each read book becomes one more step to achieve the goal – mastering a new profession, raising qualification, defeating competitors.

How to succeed in such a fast-paced competition for the information leadership?

At the end of the 19th century, a French ophthalmologist, Émile Javal, identified a person’s field of view that exceeded the standards of that time. This was done as part of the study of the reading process, when the scientist noticed that the reader does not focus on each letter, but “swallows” the line with stopping only 4 times. On the basis of this discovery, the first articles about speed reading method began to appear. The first courses on the new methodology were based at the United States Syracuse University in 1925.

Speed reading implies quick perception of textual material due to special techniques. The average reading speed of an adult person varies according to different sources from 120 to 200 words per minute, however, thanks to the speed reading this skill can be developed to an unlimited number. You will read as fast as you wish!

Howard Berg is considered the fastest reader in the world. "The Guinness World Record Book" recognized Berg in 1990 for his ability to read more than 25,000 words per minute and write more than 100 words per minute.

However, the question is still open – how speed reading is compatible with the qualitative perception and analysis of the information received?

Until now, it’s believed that the speed reading causes significant essence loss of the read text. Concentrating on speed, a person “disconnects” from semantic content. The solution of this issue led to research in this area and writing a separate book.

Any difficult task has its own solution, achieved through the use of innovative techniques. They allow you to develop concentration and memory– the basis for meaningful perception of the text. If we add awareness, memorization, critical assessment and analysis to the speed reading technique, we can reach a new level, designated as super reading.

Using this “recipe” will allow you to be at the very epicenter of information flows, that will be increasing every day: while standing in a traffic jam for an hour you will be able to easily read a scientific journal, study the latest marketing research on the way to work, run through all of lecture notes in minutes before the exam.

Specially selected exercises described in this book significantly increase not only the speed of reading any text, but also the quality of its assimilation.