Readers are Leaders

"Readers are leaders, and don't you–" Mr. Huether seethed, his fist slamming onto the empty desk at the front of the classroom, the resounding bang driving home his next words, "–ever forget it!"

My 7th grade Bible teacher's normally benign face was twisted up in fervor. Every student's eyes, wide with sudden alertness, were locked on the man. Some giggled uneasily. Most thought he was loony–so did I, I'll admit. Well, if shock and awe was the man's goal, he achieved it. Nearly 15 years later my teacher's half-crazed, half-profound words still live rent-free in my head. Congratulations, Mr. Huether.

So what is it about readers that makes them leaders? I think the average person would agree that reading regularly is a healthy and productive practice, but why? What are the concrete and empirical benefits of reading?