Reviewed by Teodora Totorean for Readers' Favorite

Be a Critical Thinker: Hone Your Mind to Think Critically by Donald L. Karshner teaches readers to do precisely that through analyzing, checking sources of information, doubting assumptions, accepting other points of view, challenging other points of view, taking notes, etc. The book starts with a series of quotes that set the premise of the book. All quotes could be analyzed and interpreted according to our perceptions, belief systems, aspirations, and knowledge. They can also be a great starting point for any debate as well as good accompaniments of ideas in essays and in everyday life. The book continues with a process for critical thinking and it finishes with supplements to a process for critical thinking. The latter contains a series of adjuvant expressions, words, and questions, as well as suggestions on how to apply critical thinking.

With his book Be a Critical Thinker, Donald L. Karshner offers a kind of manual for everyone who wants to widen their horizons - students, scholars, and ordinary people alike. One of the ideas of the book is that once you exercise your thinking, you can take part in debates or you can fulfill a task by being familiar with the sourcing of the right information and the composition of a veridical argument while respecting your own integrity and trustworthiness. I particularly liked the thought provoking affirmations like “one person’s true religion may be another person’s false religion” or “one person’s myth may be another person’s reality.” The book is enjoyable to read and I recommend it to anyone who is not afraid to challenge their own preconceptions and beliefs, and who will open their mind towards critical thinking.