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)

It really makes you think

What made the experience of listening to Quiet the most enjoyable?

The narrator's voice was excellent. The stories contained in the book really drew me in and I am looking at some of the things in my life in a different way. I highly recommend it for people interested in cultural diversity, introverts and extroverts.

Informative with great recap at end

Would you consider the audio edition of Quiet to be better than the print version?

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.

What did you like best about this story?

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.

Which character – as performed by Kathe Mazur – was your favorite?

N/A

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

N/A

Any additional comments?

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.

Know thyself...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been labeled quiet, shy, sensitive, a snob (because you are quiet and distant), or introverted. Anyone who has ever been made to feel like they weren't participating enough in a group, whose parents sent them to any class to learn how to better communicate and socialize, anyone who prefers the company of their dogs and a book to a loud party.
I am so glad I came across this book. There have been so many times in my life I felt like something was just wrong with me. I am sociable enough I think, but there were instances when I didn't seem to be sociable enough for those around me. This book goes a long way in validating that there is not something wrong with me, but that there is something very special and unique and valuable about myself.
This is one that I may actually listen to again.

Finally

Reader's voice is easy to listen to.
I'd recommend this book especially to parents and teachers. This information would have saved me a lot of angst had I learned about introversion earlier in life. It's really a great book for anyone looking to better understand themselves, coworkers, loved ones...

Excellent Narration for an Expert Study.

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)!

Excellent book for Introverts and Extroverts

What made the experience of listening to Quiet the most enjoyable?

Kathe Mazur did an excellent job of reading the text. Her voice is pleasant and captures the spirit of the writing.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Susan Cain took a great deal of care in identifying the history of extraversion in the U.S. She has also accumulated a great deal of research to identify the characteristics of introversion and the impact of the extraverted and introverted in society.

Have you listened to any of Kathe Mazur’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had not heard Kathe Mazur previously.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

It was interesting to think that the collapse of the financial markets in 2008 might have been impacted by the predominance of extraverts in leadership at financial institutions. The idea being that extraverts rather than introverts were more likely to be promoted to executive positions and that this hiring practice happened over the last 20+ years. Extraverts have a higher tolerance for risk and greater need for financial reward; therefore, they were more willing to take more risk in order to receive a greater reward. Eventually, these high risk decisions collapsed and the financial markets tumbled.

Any additional comments?

I appreciate Cain's call to rethink the ubiquitous practice of group work/brainstorming and to realize that the need for quiet and solitude in the workplace is essential for many workers.

loved it!

Absolutely loved it. Narrator was excellent and held my interest throughout. would be an excellent read for teachers and parents and also those in introvert/extrovert relationships. It was great to understand my introversion through research and wish I'd have found this book sooner!

Quiet... I'm thinking....awesome book

What did you love best about Quiet?

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.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Quiet?

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.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

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.

Any additional comments?

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.

Amazing book whether you are an introvert or not.

As someone who is an introvert, this made my childhood make a lot more sense.

This book is speaking to me

It is very few book i read it and i tear up when i read it,, this book made me cry ,, not in a bad way no it made me cry coz i felt this book it talking directly to me and about me,, it is a very good book and guildline for all intervers people and for an extervers to understand the intervers thanks Susin