I consider myself an average guy who, up until this year, would take about a month to read a novel (and I barely ever found the time to read a newspaper). Now how about I tell you I can read a 250 page book during my half hour commute, take in a newspaper in about half that, AND have a confident degree of comprehension. Yeah, sounds crazy, but so is the premise of the PhotoReading Whole Mind System--crazy like a fox.

The driving premise behind the system is that your brain registers more than your conscious thinking is aware of. Because your brain is so capable, the "trick" is learning to regulate the way information goes into your brain, and teach yourself ways to access that knowledge. It's a non-standard way of "reading" but it has its roots in various schools of psychology (like that capability evidenced behind Jung's idea of cryptoamnesia--the conscious mind unwittingly gains knowledge from the subconscious--as well as the "subliminal" movement of the 60's that made such a big deal about hidden, seductive advertising images); in short, your "other than conscious mind" is a big sponge and the Whole Mind System teaches you ways to soak up knowledge and wring it back out.

I bought the course after listening to a radio infomercial that really "clicked" with me and my desire to more effectively process the written material I have to deal with at work and regain time to read for pleasure at home. There was a convincing 30 day money-back guarantee which gave me a no-lose option--I received a package(8 audiotapes for the course, three books, another audio tape entitled "Memory Supercharger" and a guide book) and I haven't turned back.

The course is a mix of confidence building lectures, lessons on learning theory and strategy, and practical exercises to develop your ability to use the system of PhotoReading.

Here is the table of contents of the guidebook:
How to use your PhotoReading Personal Learning Course
Sneak Preview of PhotoReading
Step 1: Prepare
Step 2: Preview
Step 3: PhotoReading
Step 4: Activation
Step 5: Rapid Reading
Outline of Tape 8: Study Skills, Home Play, Goal Setting
Tools for Life-Long Learning

As you can see from the table of contents and my earlier description, you approach the printed word in various "modes" of thinking and reading. Usually, I end up going through any reading material in three passes--this is NOT how I was taught to read; but in the appropriate state of mind, I make those multiple passes in a fraction of the time I would take to read in my usual manner.

I would caution people to keep an open mind when exploring this system--it is not for those who think that the way you learn and the way you read is ONLY the way you were taught in school. This system teaches you skills of playfulness with your learning which is very refreshing compared to the hot-house, breakneck pace most of America seems hellbent on trying to attain. Funny, I still enjoy the cozy reading pace I was taught, but when I blaze through books, I'm more relaxed about my reading and learning. I like that. Hope it works for you. Now if they can develop PhotoTyping....

Recommended: Yes