Quiet

The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

By: Susan Cain

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Experience the book that started the Quiet Movement and revolutionized how the world sees introverts—and how introverts see themselves—by offering validation, inclusion, and inspiration

“Superbly researched, deeply insightful, and a fascinating read, Quiet is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to understand the gifts of the introverted half of the population.”—Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—People, O: The Oprah Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, Inc., Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, impeccably researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.

©2012 Susan Cain (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

2013, Carnegie Medal, Long-listed

2012, Goodreads.com Readers Choice Award for Best Debut Author and Best Nonfiction Book of the Year, Winner

“As an introvert often called upon to behave like an extrovert, I found the information in this book revealing and helpful. Drawing on neuroscientific research and many case reports, Susan Cain explains the advantages and potentials of introversion and of being quiet in a noisy world.” (Andrew Weil, author of Healthy Aging and Spontaneous Happiness)

“Susan Cain has done a superb job of sifting through decades of complex research on introversion, extroversion, and sensitivity—this book will be a boon for the many highly sensitive people who are also introverts.” (Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person)

Insightful

Really a great listen to gain insight of self and others. I would recommend it to all managers, spouses and friends.

So glad I listened to this; inspirational

I felt quite understood by the author's account of the importance of introversion. As a introvert myself, and having known quite a few introverts, there has always seemed the need to act more extroverted, to be accepted in society or classroom or workplace. Although I don't feel the solution is close to hand, the book at least made some sense in depicting the needs of an introvert and gave some possible indicators for whether a baby would grow up to be an introvert or extrovert.
I would say that while the author does indicate how the needs and specialities of introverts and extroverts differ in professional or work environments, there is less on the actual interactions of introverts in the world. Saving a short bit on mixed couples (an introvert married to an extrovert), I would have liked to have known more about the actual integrating of introverts in society. What they might say to help extroverts to not be so pushy, for instance, without feeling judged. How they might act in social settings to not be made to feel quite so uncomfortable or taxed.
I do wonder how extroverts might come away from reading this. For instance if I recommended this to an extrovert in order to understand introverts better, whether it would accomplish that goal.

Amazing!!

I wish this book was written years ago when I was starting out in life! I felt like this book was written for me. I kept saying "yes" that is me! I am so glad to know I'm not alone in the world. I grew up with siblings who are extroverts,and I often was looked over. While I was observing, my brother was talking. This came to pass years later when my brother was " still talking" and I was actually " doing". This book is amazing and I will buy a copy for my daughter!

Will listen to again! Maybe once per year

Definitely merits the 6+ suggestions I've received to read it. Very insightful and, as a highly sensitive person, touching.

Excellent book!

Well written, organized, and articulated. A must for teachers, especially of kids. I like her examples, and gift for tying together related and relevant research that amplifies the point. Artfully expressed. Worth reading at least twice.

very enlightening

as a lifelong introvert, i was able to connect with this book. i feel tremendously more confident in myself as ive gain understanding of how i tick.

Insightful

Loved this book. Helps explain introverts and how to adjust norms. I have recommended this to many people in my life and my job.

Good but not great

Bland in areas. Some great feedback but repetitive at times. First I have seen on this topic so I was glad to read it. I am a tough critic and can't remember giving a five star rating so take what I say with that in mind

What quiet people never tell you....

If you could sum up Quiet in three words, what would they be?

Insight into introverts

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Read in the first person

Which scene was your favorite?

No specific one

If you could give Quiet a new subtitle, what would it be?

Of the quiet; what it tells us

Any additional comments?

Informative insight to thought processes of introverts. Comparisons and contrasts to extroverts. Revealing interesting hypothesis.

Incredible!

This is such an amazing, affirming, informative book that provides a broad array of insight and facts. It is a must read for any introvert and would be very instructive for any extrovert!