How to summarize a book?

Question: How to summarize a book!?

I am reading a book on Rick Husband the commander who died on space shuttle Columbia!. I am wondering how to summarize the 1st 2 chapters in the book!? My former english instructor wants me to summarize each chapter in the book to become a better reader!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

To make a summary, you need to identify the salient information which will give you a 'stand alone' version of the story without all the minor details!.

For example (and I haven't read the book, so am only making things up for examples sake) if those chapters are about his early life, you need only use the information important to the book overall (eg: how he became a space commander)!. So you could say, "Rick Husband wanted to be an astronaut from the time he was twelve!. He studied aeronautics and physics at university and graduated with a PhD!. He applied to NASA at age 24 and began training for his first mission at 26!.!.!." etc!.

I hope this has helped you write your own summary!. Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com