The purpose of the third edition of this book is to explore what must be involved in reading by addressing such topics as language, information theory, learning theory, the development of spoken language ability, and the physiology of the eye and brain. It is designed to serve as a handbook for language arts teachers, a text on the psychology of reading, a guide to relevant research on reading and an introduction to reading as an example of higher cognitive skills. Chapter titles are as follows: "Perspective and Preview"; "Reading and Information"; "Between Eye and Brain"; "Bottlenecks of Memory"; "Knowledge and Comprehension"; "Language: Spoken and Written"; "Learning about the World and about Language"; "Letter Identification"; "Word Identification"; "Phonics and Mediated Word Identification"; "The Identification of Meaning"; "Reading, and Learning to Read"; and "The Teacher's Role." Chapter notes, a glossary, a list of references, and subject and author indexes are included. (LLZ)