How could JFK read so fast?
Asked by: Annalise Bauch MD | Last update: February 14, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (8 votes)
JFK read so fast due to dedicated practice, taking formal speed-reading courses in the mid-1950s (reportedly boosting his speed to 1,200 words per minute), developing a habit of reading constantly, and mastering techniques like absorbing groups of words ("thought units") at a glance, which he encouraged his staff to learn too. He combined natural curiosity with training to become a prolific reader.
How did JFK Speed read?
In order to aid him in gathering information, from 1954 through 1955 Jack took a speed reading course. By the end of the course, he was able to read 1,200 words per minute. Similar to his childhood experiences, health issues throughout his adulthood provided an opening for Jack to continue to engage with literature.
Which president could read 2000 words a minute?
President Jimmy Carter is widely cited as the U.S. President who could read around 2,000 words per minute with high comprehension, a skill he developed in speed-reading courses to manage presidential paperwork, though some experts question the true depth of comprehension at such speeds for most people. He learned this technique alongside his daughter, Amy, to keep up with the massive influx of documents, demonstrating an exceptional ability that contrasted with the average reader.
Which president could read the fastest?
U.S. President John Kennedy could read 1,200 words per minute.
Is a 1000 WPM reading possible?
Yes, it's possible to process text at 1000 words per minute (WPM) or faster, but it usually involves skimming and scanning for key ideas rather than deep reading, sacrificing significant comprehension, notes MindMaps Unleashed, The Guardian, Reddit. While average readers are around 250-300 WPM, trained speed readers can hit 1000+ WPM, though often with lower comprehension (65-95%), while champions reach thousands of WPM with much lower comprehension, says 7 Speed Reading, WordsRated.
JFK35 Podcast - JFK's Reading Habits
What is Bill Gates reading speed?
Bill Gates reads incredibly fast, estimated around 150 pages per hour, or roughly 750 words per minute, with high comprehension (around 90%), allowing him to consume about 50 books a year by focusing on deep reading in hour-long blocks and taking extensive notes to process information. While he's known for this speed, he emphasizes that his method involves deliberate focus and note-taking rather than just skimming, sometimes taking longer when he disagrees with content, according to Medium and Quora.
Does Warren Buffett read 500 pages a day?
Yes, Warren Buffett reads a massive amount, often cited as around 500 pages a day, dedicating roughly 80% of his day to reading and thinking, a habit he credits for his success, comparing knowledge to compound interest. He reads financial reports, newspapers, journals, and books, emphasizing that consistency and deep processing, not just speed, build knowledge.
Could Jimmy Carter read 2000 words per minute?
Because of his parent's attention to the importance of reading at such an early age, Carter was a speed reader, reading up to 2000 words per minute.
How fast could JFK talk?
FAST-TALKING – In Dec. 1961, JFK set the record for public speaking at 327 words-per-minute. (That's like listening to a podcast at 3x the regular speed!) SLOW-TALKING – During his inaugural address, JFK spoke at a remarkably slow rate of only 96.5 wpm.
Who is considered the fastest reader ever?
FUN FACT: The world's fastest speed-reader record belongs to Howard Stephen Berg, popularly referred to as Speedy Berg. He read over 25,000 words per minute in 1990 and set the world record at 80 pages per minute.
Which President had dyslexia?
Woodrow Wilson, 1856-1924, (learning disability)
28th President of the United States from 1913-1921 who is known to have a (learning disability) (dyslexia).
Is reading 50 pages in 2 hours slow?
No, reading 50 pages in 2 hours (which is 25 pages/hour) is generally considered a normal to slightly slower pace, fitting well within the average range of 20-40 pages/hour, especially if the material is complex, you're taking notes, or it's a new topic; it's only "slow" compared to very fast readers or simple fiction, focusing more on comprehension than speed.
Which President had 15 children by two wives?
President John Tyler, the 10th U.S. President, had 15 children with two wives: his first wife, Letitia Christian, bore him eight children, and after her death, he married Julia Gardiner, with whom he had seven more, making him the most prolific father in U.S. presidential history.
What was JFK's IQ score?
John F. Kennedy's IQ is estimated to be around 150-160, with studies placing him in the very high range, though actual scores vary, with some sources citing figures like 159.8 or 158, while others note an actual test score of 119, highlighting the difference between historiometric estimates and documented tests.
Why do books have 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1?
The numbers 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on a book's copyright page form a "printer's key," showing the print run; the lowest number indicates the printing (e.g., '1' means first printing), allowing publishers to track printings and make corrections without re-typesetting the entire page by simply removing the lowest number for each new run, a system dating from traditional printing presses.
How fast is 700 WPM?
700+ WPM: You're a speed reader. You're adept at reading 10 to 16 words at a glance, both horizontally and vertically on the page.
What were John F. Kennedy's last words?
Nellie Connally turned and commented to Kennedy, who was sitting behind her, "Mr. President, they can't make you believe now that there are not some in Dallas who love and appreciate you, can they?" Kennedy's reply – "No, they sure can't" – were his last words.
Was Jackie Kennedy's pink suit cleaned?
The suit, which was never cleaned, is kept out of public view in "an acid-free container in a windowless room ... the precise location is kept secret.
Who is the fastest speaking person in the world?
John Moschitta Jr. (born August 6, 1954), also known as "Motormouth" John Moschitta and The Fast-Talking Guy, is an American actor, singer and spokesman. He is best known for his rapid speech delivery.
Do people with ADHD read fast or slow?
People with ADHD can read both fast and slow, often inefficiently, due to challenges with focus, working memory, and executive function; they might rush through text, skip words (reading too fast) or reread frequently and get easily distracted, slowing down significantly and losing comprehension, with speed varying greatly by interest level (hyperfocus) and text difficulty.
How fast does Bill Gates read?
Bill Gates reads incredibly fast, estimated around 150 pages per hour, or roughly 750 words per minute, with high comprehension (around 90%), allowing him to consume about 50 books a year by focusing on deep reading in hour-long blocks and taking extensive notes to process information. While he's known for this speed, he emphasizes that his method involves deliberate focus and note-taking rather than just skimming, sometimes taking longer when he disagrees with content, according to Medium and Quora.
Is reading 500 wpm possible?
Speed reading is normally done at a rate of around 400-700 wpm. Anything above 500-600 wpm means sacrificing comprehension, although this varies from person to person.
How much does Elon Musk read per day?
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) reads 2 books a DAY, while most people read only 14 a YEAR. Aim to read 1+ book a month in your target language. In this video, I talk more about the power of reading & share my best tips to get more (and BETTER!)
What is the 70/30 rule Buffett?
The "Buffett Rule 70/30" usually refers to an investment guideline suggesting 70% of a portfolio in growth assets (stocks) and 30% in safer assets (bonds or fixed income) for long-term balance, though some interpret it as 70% stocks and 30% "corporate workouts" (special situations), and Buffett also champions a 90/10 index fund strategy for most people. It's a flexible rule of thumb, not a rigid law, often adjusted by age, risk tolerance, and investment goals, with younger investors potentially favoring more stocks and those near retirement less.
Which billionaires read as many as 50 books a year?
Bill Gates reads about 50 books per year, which breaks down to 1 per week. Mark Cuban reads more than 3 hours every day. Elon Musk is an avid reader and when asked how he learned to build rockets, he said "I read books." Mark Zuckerberg resolved to read a book every 2 weeks throughout 2015.