diff --git a/include/node.h b/include/node.h
index 587c707..5ee1273 100644
--- a/include/node.h
+++ b/include/node.h
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ namespace YAML
 		template <typename T>
 		bool Read(T& value) const;
 
+		template <typename T>
+		const T Read() const;
+
 		template <typename T>
 		friend void operator >> (const Node& node, T& value);
 
diff --git a/include/nodeimpl.h b/include/nodeimpl.h
index 31ebbf7..606a5be 100644
--- a/include/nodeimpl.h
+++ b/include/nodeimpl.h
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ namespace YAML
 		return Convert(scalar, value);
 	}
 	
+	template <typename T>
+	inline const T Node::Read() const {
+		T value;
+		*this >> value;
+		return value;
+	}
+	
 	template <typename T>
 	inline void operator >> (const Node& node, T& value) {
 		if(!node.Read(value))