Reading for Learning

I've read several accounts by people who place an emphasis on reading in the target language as soon as possible.

http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/12/29/15258/287

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat%C3%B3_Lomb
http://tesl-ej.org/ej45/fr1abs.html

http://www.language-learning-tips.com/17_Schliemanns_method.htm