The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had
Bauer's The Well-Trained Mind (which she co-wrote with Jessie Wise)
taught parents how to educate kids; her latest is designed for adults
seeking self-education in the classical tradition. Reading-sustained,
disciplined and structured-is her core methodology, so she starts with
tips on improving reading skills and setting up a reading schedule
(start with half-hour sessions four mornings a week, with daily journal
writing). Reading is a discipline, like meditating or running, she
says, and it needs regular exercise. To grow through reading-to reach
the "Great Conversation" of ideas-Bauer outlines the three stages of
the classical tradition: first, read for facts; then evaluate them;
finally, form your own opinions. After explaining the mechanics of each
stage (e.g., what type of notes to take in the book itself, or in the
journal), Bauer begins the list section of the book, with separate
chapters for her five major genres: fiction, autobiography/memoir,
history/politics, drama and poetry. She introduces each category with a
concise discussion of its historical development and the major
scholarly debates, clearly defining all important terms (e.g.,
postmodernism, metafiction). And then, the piece de resistance: lists,
in chronological order, of some 30 major works in each genre, complete
with advice on choosing the edition and a one-page synopsis.