Quiet is something that I feel every suspected and closet-Introvert needs to read. Much like others who have read this, I have always felt that I /have/ to be outgoing and obnoxious to get any respect, and I would feel apologetic when I acted with modest solemnity. Now and in part thanks to this reading, I am quite fond of my introversion and rather than apologize in public for my observation and modesty, I can smile and easily explain my inaction in a good-natured light.

The reading is very smooth and offers an insightful, very correct narration. Kathe Mazur is a marvelous spokeswoman for the introverted mind; her docile and subdued, but precise and powerful voice match very well with the tone of the writing itself. Quite worth the cost(or credit)!

This is a wonderful book for anyone interesting in their own introversion or anyone seeking to understand this curious aspect of some people’s personalities. I’m an INTJ myself, and while I’ve never felt excluded because of my introversion, and have always know there wasn’t anything “wrong” with me, it was very reassuring to be able to understand the nuances therein. I saw myself in a lot of the stories she related, and a lot of the behaviors displayed. While my wife (an extrovert) said when I told her about the book “You just need to shut up, man up, and be more social,” I laughed because, while she was joking, there is a lot of truth in that many extroverts have little understanding of our mindset. I can think of little worse than having to engage in small talk at a cocktail party, or chat with a mild acquaintance I met on the street. Equally loathsome are the bubbly extroverts who look at me at a social event and take it upon themselves to “draw me out of my shell” and force me to engage in the group. I’ll probably end up having some very earnest talks with some people to help them understand me better.

My only criticism of the book is that I felt Susan focused rather myopically on the ‘sensitive’ introvert, which I am not. While she is, I would like to have had more insight into the more objectively minded introverts who actually have a lot of trouble empathizing with others, and reading social situation correctly. Otherwise it was an excellent and refreshing read.

I read nonfiction to gain better understanding of topics on which I have little understanding. I did not know much about what makes introverts they introverts that they are. I have always believed that somehow I was a flawed extovert. I gained insight into two introverts I love and an understanding that I might not be an extrovert myself after all. I now understand the introvert perspective and have gained a better appreciation for their secret/silent strenghts.

The work was scholarly and thoughtful. It is definitely not a pop psychology piece. The sited studies added credibility. The author did a great job of fusing ancedotes and research studies. I will be ordering several hard copy versions to give as gifts as signs of appreciation to a several introverts who are dear to me.

I would recommend this book to all of my friends and a good many other "acquaintances"! It illuminated and validated many life experiences both for myself and the actions/reactions of others. It is validation for the introvert and understanding for the extrovert. Taken together all relationships (family, spouses, partners, colleagues, and even competitors) can benefit from the knowledge. Harmony and productivity should be the reward.

Strangely, I would compare Quiet to a good work of fiction; you know, one of the ones you get home and sit in the car listening for another 30 minutes because it's hard to stop. Though non-fiction, Quiet has no fluff or superfluous material. Though covering many scientific studies, study material is clearly described and never bores.

Kathe Mazur's reading of Quite is very easy to listen to. Her voice and vocal inflections are perfectly matched to the content. She is easily understood and her voice is pleasant to listen to, but in a way that helps maintain your attention to the material. Excellent non-fiction reader!

Into the looking glass?

Best nonfiction I've listened to, hands down.

I started reading the print edition while listening to it to see if I was missing anything in the audio version. I found that I wasn't so I switched to audio only. When I needed to process some information presented I would stop the audio, sometimes play it back a minute or two and then continue listening. The narration was very good.

Chapter headings set the stage for what was going to follow. There was a lot to think about in this book. It helped me realize what challenges are faced by both introverts and extraverts in the workplace.

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The author's recap of ideas presented in the book really helped me review the information that had been presented. Since I listed to this over a two month period, that was very helpful to me.

I love that the book seems to touch on every aspect of how I have felt all my life. I started out as a very shy quiet girl who was too afraid to speak up for fear of being made fun of. Although I have gotten over my shyness, I am still 100% an introvert. I love my quiet time and when I can't get that, I have a tendency to be in a very bad mood. I can go hours without talking to someone and that is perfectly fine with me! The only difference now is, I know that I am not the only person like this. After listening to this book, I now realize that in order for me to "recharge", I need to step away from people and activities. I was doing this before but not nearly as often as I need to. Now I know that it is vital for my sanity to allow myself the space I need and to not feel guilty about it.

I loved hearing about Rosa Parks. We are only taught that she said "no" to the bus driver. We are never introduced to her in a way that shares what she was like in person. This made me truly appreciative of what she did and the courage it took to stand up for something so basic but so important in a time where doing so could have gotten her killed. She is/was an awesome woman and knowing that she was an introvert makes this piece of history even more amazing.

The most interesting thing that I realized from reading this book is that I in following my instincts in regards to certain areas of my life probably saved my sanity. I purposely moved away from my family due to the chaos my sister was causing. In a way, I felt guilty but in other ways felt I didn't have a choice. Now I understand why it was easy for me to make the choice and how important it was for me at that time in my life.

I looked for more books by Susan Cain and was hoping to find something that further explored this topic. I am hoping that at some point she does another book. I would love to hear and explore this topic more.

The author makes many important points about the importance of introverts in our society and does it in a methodicaly yet entertaining and engaging way. She draws on many examples from a variety of contexts - family, work, government, etc - where the inclusion rather than exclusion of introvert perspectives is critical. Great work, and well read by the narrator!

interesting, informative, worthwhile

None in particular--it's nonfiction. The entire book was well worth listening to.

The narrator had a pleasant voice, but it was a little too restrained. On the one hand, it was sort of appropriately quiet for a book on introverts, but it felt a little too on the nose for me.

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Yes, it is a great book for both introverts and extroverts to help understand why each react differently to the same situations.

This question doesn't really apply since this book is a work of non-fiction.

The narration fits with the premise in that it has a quiet intensity to it.

I liked listening to this book in chunks so that I could digest what I was learning, but you could listen to it all at once if you wanted.

This book is inspiring for anyone who considers themselves introverts, as well as for introverts and extroverts to understand each other better. The narrator is perfect for this book, emphasizing the right words to show differences in perception. The author offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an
introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts
and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.