I've tried to approach this in a few different ways.

1. In many cases, I think it could be true.

2. Still, I like the anecdotes because they could show or help me interpret different implementations of knowledge. (This mostly applies to self-help books).

3. If it's a topic I don't know about, I'm not sure if I can actually say that these are the bare essentials that the book should be distilled to. That's why I'm reading about it, after all.

4. Sometimes, I need to be battered over the head with obvious points before they stick.

5. That's what the index & table of contents are for – dipping in and out for what might be important. It's less important to read nonfiction linearly and all the way through than fiction.